# Baron von Gondremark — Prince Otto character guide > Baron von Gondremark in Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gondremark, Freiherr von Gondremark, Herr von Gondremark, Baron, Prime Minister Freiherr von Gondremark **First appearance:** 0002-book-i-prince-errant ## Snapshot The prime minister who commands the state and Seraphina's confidence, a man who can 'put soul' into playing the lover when it serves his designs. ## Who they are Gondremark is the power behind Grünewald's throne, a flatterer who winds his way into Otto's citadel with sneers about female intellect and compliments to the prince's self-respect. He is Seraphina's ally and would-be lover, yet when she proposes releasing the Prince, he pivots with ponderous grace, noting her passion with 'a brief sparkle of desire' he counts as a weapon. He is the story's engine of intrigue — patient, adaptable, and never without a means. ## In the story ### [Prince Otto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/prince-otto) The ambitious minister who manipulates Seraphina and plots against Otto. ### [Book I: Prince Errant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/book-i-prince-errant) The powerful minister whose influence over Seraphina and the court is a source of tension for Otto. ### [In Which the Prince Plays Haroun-al-Raschid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/ii-in-which-the-prince-plays-haroun-al-raschid) Discussed as the Princess's lover and a manipulative political figure. ### [Book II: Of Love and Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/book-ii-of-love-and-politics) Conspires with Seraphina and plans a coup against Otto. ### [What Happened in the Library](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/i-what-happened-in-the-library) Mentioned as the de facto ruler of Grünewald, managing the state while Otto remains idle. ### [II: “On the Court of Grünewald,” Being a Portion of the Traveller’s Manuscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/ii-on-the-court-of-gr-newald-being-a-portion-of-the-traveller-s-manuscript) The true ruler of Grünewald, a foreigner who maintains power through impudence and dexterity; he pursues a dual policy of arbitrary power and popular conspiracy, is a man-hater and contemner of his fellows, yet greedy for applause; he has a bilious temperament and a saturnine eye. ### [While the Prince Is in the Anteroom…](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iv-while-the-prince-is-in-the-anteroom) Mentioned as being closeted with the Princess and as the object of von Rosen's hint about jealousy. ### [Gondremark Is in My Lady's Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/v-gondremark-is-in-my-lady-s-chamber) The Prime Minister flatters Seraphina, outlines the war plan, and advises her on how to handle Prince Otto; he is calculating and manipulative. ### [The Prince Delivers a Lecture on Marriage, with Practical Illustrations of Divorce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/vi-the-prince-delivers-a-lecture-on-marriage-with-practical-illustrations-of-divorce) Summoned by Otto after the confrontation; enters with a 'wild eye' and 'changed complexion,' indicating his unease. ### [VII: The Prince Dissolves the Council](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/vii-the-prince-dissolves-the-council) Leads the conspiracy, attempts to justify the war and financial maneuvers, and is warned by Otto. ### [The Party of War Takes Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/viii-the-party-of-war-takes-action) Manipulates Seraphina into agreeing to imprison Otto, proposing the Felsenburg and arranging the coup. ### [X: Gotthold’s Revised Opinion; and the Fall Completed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/x-gotthold-s-revised-opinion-and-the-fall-completed) Mentioned by Gotthold in a comparison with the Countess, implying his moral equivalence. ### [Providence von Rosen: Act the First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xi-providence-von-rosen-act-the-first) Reveals the coup plot to von Rosen, shows her the arrest order, and reluctantly trusts her with the paper. ### [Providence von Rosen: Act the Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xii-providence-von-rosen-act-the-second) Named as co-conspirator with the Princess in the plot against Otto. ### [Providence von Rosen: Act the Third](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xiii-providence-von-rosen-act-the-third) Revealed through his letter as a manipulative schemer who orchestrated the arrest to gain power over Seraphina. ### [XIV: Relates the Cause and Outbreak of the Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/xiv-relates-the-cause-and-outbreak-of-the-revolution) Declares his love for Seraphina, is stabbed by her, and lies wounded. ### [Fortunate Misfortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/book-iii-fortunate-misfortune) The scheming minister who plots a coup against Otto after the council is dissolved. ### [Princess Cinderella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/i-princess-cinderella) Mentioned as having been wounded; Seraphina inquires about his condition after the coup. ### [III: Providence von Rosen: Act the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/iii-providence-von-rosen-act-the-last) Mentioned as the target of Otto's planned negotiation; von Rosen passes him on the road but feigns not to see him. ### [Bibliographical Postscript to Complete the Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/chapters/bibliographical-postscript-to-complete-the-story) Mentioned in Swinburne's and Hugo's works; later seen in Naples with his wife. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters/baron_gondremark - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/prince_otto_se/characters