# Duke of Lerma — Gil Blas character guide > Duke of Lerma in Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lerma, the cardinal Duke of Lerma **First appearance:** 0041-x ## Snapshot Spain's all-powerful first minister, who takes Gil Blas into his secretariat and lets his favorite secretary rule in his name. ## Who they are The Duke of Lerma sits at the summit of Spanish power, a cardinal and prime minister whose favor can make a man's fortune overnight. But his mind is clay in the hands of Don Rodrigo de Calderona, and his administration is a marketplace where offices go to the highest flatterer. He matters because he is the prize Gil Blas has been climbing toward — the master whose service promises wealth, honor, and the constant risk of disgrace. ## Relationships ### [Scipio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/scipio) _professional_ The Duke of Lerma employs Scipio as a servant, a relationship of master and loyal attendant. ### [Scipio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/scipio) _professional_ The Duke of Lerma employs Scipio as a servant, a relationship of master and loyal attendant. ### [Scipio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/scipio) _professional_ The Duke of Lerma employs Scipio as a servant, a relationship of master and loyal attendant. ## In the story ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-iv) Powerful figure at court, involved in patronage and favoritism. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-v) Powerful figure at court, influencing Gil Blas's fortunes. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-vi) Powerful figure whose favor Gil Blas seeks. ### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-vii) Powerful patron who takes Gil Blas into his service. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xii) Prime minister; the captain plans to present a memorial to him. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as a nobleman with whom Fabricio is familiar, though not directly present. ### [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-viii) Powerful nobleman who becomes Gil Blas's new patron. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/i) First minister of Spain; Gil Blas's memorial about the fire at his castle impresses him, leading to Gil Blas's eventual court employment. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ii) Interviews and appoints Gil Blas; instructs him in his duties; praises his work; meets privately with his nephew Count de Lemos. ### [Gil Blas becomes a favorite with the Duke of Lerma, and the confidant of an important secret.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iv) Reveals his plan to nominate his nephew as his successor and his distrust of his own son. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/v) Prime minister who ostentatiously favors Gil Blas, gives him custody of the portfolio, and sends him to the Count de Lemos with money. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vi) The minister who tests Gil Blas by feigning offense at the fable, then grants him a substantial reward and pension. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vii) The prime minister whose protection Don Roger de Rada seeks; Gil Blas has permission to solicit on behalf of friends. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/viii) Prime minister who grants Don Roger a pardon after Gil Blas's intercession. ### [The Morals of Gil Blas Become Courtly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/x) The minister who approves the scheme and provides funds for the prince's pleasures. ### [The Prince of Spain's Secret Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xi) Jokes about Gil Blas's past ruby mishap and orders him to help select jewels. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xii) Receives Gil Blas's confession and treats the matter lightly, ordering him to let it take its own course. ### [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-ix) Powerful minister; Gil Blas enters his service. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/i) Receives the goldsmith and publicly praises Gil Blas, confirming his favor. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ii) Minister who grants the government of Valencia to Don Alphonso at Gil Blas's request. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as possibly complicit in Gil Blas's arrest. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vi) Minister who ordered Don Gastón's arrest due to his connection with the Marquis of Villareal. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as unaware of Gil Blas's arrest and expected to work for the recall of the Count de Lemos, potentially aiding Gil Blas. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/viii) Rejects Gil Blas's plea, calling him impudent and refusing to mediate. ### [Book X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/book-x) Powerful figure at court, influencing Gil Blas's fortunes. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having been made a cardinal by Pope Paul V; Gil Blas refuses to seek his favor again despite Scipio's suggestion. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the former minister whose partisans have been displaced by the Count of Olivarez. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the Count of Olivarez's master; not directly present. ### [Gil Blas Ingratiates Himself with the Count of Olivarez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iv) Gil Blas refers to his past service with the Duke of Lerma and treats him with considerate tenderness in his narrative. ### [Chapter V: The Private Conversation of Gil Blas with Navarro, and His First Employment in the Service of the Count d'Olivarez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/v) Former patron of Gil Blas; his administration is criticized in the state paper Gil Blas writes. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vi) Referenced as the previous minister who left Gil Blas without reward, contrasted with the Count of Olivarez. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned by the Count of Olivarez as a former favorite who had enemies, contrasting with Olivarez's own secure position. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ix) Arranges his daughter's marriage to the Marquis of Toral for political reasons; deeply mourns her death. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xii) Referenced as the former favorite who had appointed Don Alphonso and has since been banished. ### [Santillane makes his report to the minister, who commissions him to send for Lucretia—The first appearance of that actress before the court.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ii) Impatiently awaits Gil Blas's report, expresses satisfaction with Lucretia's beauty and talents, and attends her debut with evident approval. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/iii) The minister; pleased by the king's distraction, seeing it as an opportunity to manage state affairs. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/v) The Duke of Lerma (the Count of Olivarez) arranges the adoption, provides the house, and introduces Don Henry to Gil Blas as his tutor. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vi) Referenced as a former administration under which Gil Blas served; not directly present. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/vii) Gil Blas's master; Fabricio warns that his influence with the king is weakening. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/ix) The prime minister who falls from power and retires to Loeches. ### [A difficult, but successful weaning from the world](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as a former favorite who also fell from power, used as an example by the minister. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xi) The fallen minister who becomes gloomy and haunted by a specter, eventually dies after excessive bleeding by doctors. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters/duke_of_lerma - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gil_blas_se/characters