# Francesca degli Uberti — Short Fiction character guide

> Francesca degli Uberti in Short Fiction by Selma Lagerlöf.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Francesca

**First appearance:** 0044-the-peace-of-god

## Snapshot

A Sienese noblewoman whose love Raniero must learn to tend like a sacred flame rather than win by feats of arms.

## Who they are

Francesca left Raniero, and only on the long road east—past caravansaries, snowstorms, and the tomb of a Saracen saint—does he begin to understand why. Her love, he realizes, was a flame she feared he would quench, and no tournament victory can restore it. Her absence drives the story's central journey: a man learning that devotion means guarding a small light through cold and darkness, not conquering in her name.

## Relationships

### [Raniero di Raniero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/raniero_di_raniero)

_romantic_

Francesca and Raniero are passionate lovers, entangled in a forbidden affair that leads to tragedy.

### [Raniero di Raniero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/raniero_di_raniero)

_romantic_

Francesca and Raniero are passionate lovers, entangled in a forbidden affair that leads to tragedy.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/i)

Raniero's wife, who loves him deeply but gradually loses her love due to his reckless behavior, eventually leaving him.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/iv)

Raniero's former love; he reflects on her and understands her departure.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/v)

Rescues the candle from the crowd, leads Raniero to the cathedral, and defends him in church.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters/francesca_degli_uberti
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_50_se/characters