# Alianora — Figures of Earth character guide > Alianora in Figures of Earth by James Branch Cabell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dame Alianora, young Alianora, the Princess Alianora, Queen Alianora **First appearance:** 0018-x-alianora ## Snapshot A princess of the Apsarasas who can blight corn and raise tempests, and who proposes poisoning her father once she and Manuel are wed. ## Who they are Alianora is a fine-looking and intelligent girl whose magic works only on the bodies of men and beasts, a limitation she humbly concedes beside Manuel's power over the hearts of kings. She resents his third image, which mixes her proud features with his own, calling it the next thing but one to egotism. Her cheerful scheme to rid herself of Father so Manuel can be King of Arles collides with his geas, and that friction between love, ambition, and sorcery shapes the middle of the book. ## Relationships ### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel) _romantic_ A brief but intense romantic entanglement with the Queen of Provence, driven by mutual attraction and political ambition. ### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel) _romantic_ A brief but intense romantic entanglement with the Queen of Provence, driven by mutual attraction and political ambition. ### [Dom Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/dom_manuel) _romantic_ A brief but intense romantic entanglement with the Queen of Provence, driven by mutual attraction and political ambition. ## In the story ### [VI: Economics of Math](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/vi-economics-of-math) The Unattainable Princess, seen bathing at the pool of Haranton; Manuel takes a feather from her robe. ### [VIII: The Halo of Holiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/viii-the-halo-of-holiness) Referenced as the Unattainable Princess toward whom Manuel travels. ### [The Feather of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/ix-the-feather-of-love) Alianora recognizes the goose-feather but declares it genuine to protect Manuel. She persuades her father to burn the robe, choosing love over magic. ### [X: Alianora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/x-alianora) The Princess of Provence, betrothed to Manuel; she is jealous of Niafer, plans to poison her father, and reveals the secret of Schamir to Manuel. ### [XI: Magic of the Apsarasas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xi-magic-of-the-apsarasas) Performs the incantation to summon the birds, humoring Manuel's quest. ### [Ice and Iron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xii-ice-and-iron) Alianora manipulates her father into letting her marry the King of England, though she is truly in love with Manuel. She weeps after his departure but quickly turns to planning her wardrobe and future. ### [XIV: They Duel on Morven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xiv-they-duel-on-morven) Her clay image is animated by Freydis and limps away, a living creature more beautiful than human. ### [XV: Bandages for the Victor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xv-bandages-for-the-victor) Arranges her marriage to the King of England with a reduced dowry, celebrated in Arles and Provence. ### [XVI: Freydis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xvi-freydis) Mentioned as another woman Manuel loved after Niafer, now seen as a substitute. ### [XXI: Touching Repayment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxi-touching-repayment) Manuel recalls his past love for her; her tears on a handkerchief are used in the ritual to resurrect Niafer. ### [XXIV: Three Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxiv-three-women) Princess riding to Quentavic to marry the King of England, she mocks Niafer's ugliness but tells Manuel she will summon him with a token. ### [Deals with the Stork](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxvi-deals-with-the-stork) Manuel declines to seek help from Alianora in England, citing their resemblance as a reason to avoid her. ### [XXIX: Sesphra of the Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxix-sesphra-of-the-dreams) Alianora is mentioned as the appearance Sesphra takes on, representing Manuel's lost youth. ### [Now Manuel Prospers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxxiii-now-manuel-prospers) The yellow-haired friend who sends a goose-feather to Manuel, summoning him to England. Her motives are unclear, causing Niafer's suspicion. ### [XXXIV: Farewell to Alianora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xxxiv-farewell-to-alianora) Queen of England, desperate for an heir; asks Manuel to give her the promissory note for a boy baby; tries to persuade Manuel to stay as her lover but is refused. ### [XL: Colophon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/chapters/xl-colophon) The golden loveliness of Alianora appears briefly among the drowned memories in Lethe. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters/alianora - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/figures_of_earth_se/characters