# Stoutenburg — The Laughing Cavalier character guide > Stoutenburg in The Laughing Cavalier by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** The Lord of Stoutenburg, Willem van Stoutenburg, Jan. Stoutenburg **First appearance:** 0003-i-new-year-s-eve ## Snapshot A fugitive lord with a price on his head, once Gilda's suitor, now a silent conspirator nursing ambition and revenge. ## Who they are The Lord of Stoutenburg moves quietly through Haarlem's shadows, unobtrusive and watchful, while his family name reeks of treason and his brother awaits condemnation. He once whispered love to Gilda before ambition drove him to a more profitable marriage, and that shameful memory still burns in her. His relentless scheming against the Stadtholder and his willingness to use those closest to him make him the dark engine behind the intrigue that ensnares Gilda and Diogenes alike. ## Relationships ### [Willem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/willem) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests. ### [Nicolaes Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/nicolaes_beresteyn) _rivalry_ Nicolaes and Stoutenburg are enemies, with Stoutenburg manipulating events against Nicolaes's family. ### [Willem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/willem) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests. ### [Willem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/willem) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests. ### [Nicolaes Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/nicolaes_beresteyn) _rivalry_ Nicolaes and Stoutenburg are enemies, with Stoutenburg manipulating events against Nicolaes's family. ### [Nicolaes Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/nicolaes_beresteyn) _rivalry_ Nicolaes and Stoutenburg are enemies, with Stoutenburg manipulating events against Nicolaes's family. ## In the story ### [The Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/the-prologue) A fugitive with a price on his head, exhausted and desperate, he seeks refuge in Gilda's room, recounting his failed attempt to help his brother escape. ### [Watch-Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/iv-watch-night) Central figure in the conspiracy, he passionately vows to kill the Stadtholder with his own hand to avenge his father John of Barneveld. ### [Brother and Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/v-brother-and-sister) Referenced as the leader of the conspiracy and the man Gilda once loved, now seen as treacherous. ### [VI: The Counsels of Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/vi-the-counsels-of-prudence) Stoutenburg calmly but firmly pressures Beresteyn to take decisive action against Gilda, revealing his love for her and his ambition to have her share his triumph after the conspiracy succeeds. ### [VIII: The Lodgings Which Were Paid For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/viii-the-lodgings-which-were-paid-for) Observes the events with Nicolaes Beresteyn, shows interest in the unfolding scene. ### [IX: The Painter of Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/ix-the-painter-of-pictures) Persuades Beresteyn to hand over Gilda, pledging to marry her and protect her honor. ### [The Halt at Bennebrock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xv-the-halt-at-bennebrock) Stoutenburg is orchestrating the abduction and journey, whispering orders and ensuring Gilda remains unaware of her location. ### [An Understanding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xvii-an-understanding) Identified by Gilda as the paymaster behind the abduction; Diogenes connects him to a plot against the Stadtholder. ### [A Grief-Stricken Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxi-a-grief-stricken-father) Sits hidden in a dark recess of the tapperij, observing the proceedings with contempt, and later follows Nicolaes out. ### [XXIII: A Spy from the Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxiii-a-spy-from-the-camp) Paces restlessly, driven by revenge; plans to find Diogenes via the Spanish wench and orders Jan to follow the knave. ### [The Birth of Hate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxiv-the-birth-of-hate) Seeks out the Spanish girl to extract information about Diogenes and Gilda; confronts Diogenes and is humiliated. ### [XXV: An Arrant Knave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxv-an-arrant-knave) Plans to capture Diogenes and Gilda, orders Jan to track Diogenes and seize him if he turns back toward Haarlem, vows revenge and asserts Gilda will be his wife. ### [Back to Houdekerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxvi-back-to-houdekerk) Mentioned in Diogenes' reflections as the man Gilda loves, a cruel and unscrupulous figure. ### [XXXI: The Molens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxi-the-molens) Driven by fear of betrayal, he pressures Beresteyn to move Gilda to the molens and orchestrates the plan to retrieve her. ### [The Captive Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-captive-lion) Paces like a caged beast, questions Jan eagerly about Gilda and Diogenes, strikes the prisoner in fury, and orders him left bound overnight. ### [XXXIV: Protestations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxiv-protestations) Visits Gilda to profess his love and innocence, claiming he rescued her from brigands. He orchestrates an interview with Diogenes to further his scheme. ### [The Witness for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxv-the-witness-for-the-defence) Accuses Diogenes of lying, forgery, and theft; produces a forged bond to discredit him; consumed by jealousy and hatred, determined to see Diogenes hanged. ### [XXXVI: Brother Philosophers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxvi-brother-philosophers) Referred to as 'my lord', he is the mastermind behind the conspiracy and has ordered Diogenes' execution. ### [Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxvii-dawn) Paces restlessly, consumed by hatred for the Stadtholder and jealousy of Diogenes; orders the gibbet built, believing Diogenes is an evil genius. ### [The Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-hour) Mentioned as the one who ordered the execution and is currently with Gilda. ### [XXXIX: “Sauve Qui Peut”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxix-sauve-qui-peut) Mentioned as the lord who ordered the gibbet and sent Lucas to spy; his plot is now betrayed. ### [XL: The Loser Pays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xl-the-loser-pays) Accuses Gilda of betrayal, reveals he has ordered a gibbet for Diogenes, and prepares to flee as the plot unravels. ### [XLI: “Vengeance Is Mine”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xli-vengeance-is-mine) Consumed by rage and despair after his plot fails; he finds the prisoner gone and his men scattered, then turns to thoughts of Gilda as his last hope. ### [XLII: The Fight in the Doorway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xlii-the-fight-in-the-doorway) Defeated and disarmed by Diogenes, then allowed to flee northwards with Jan. ### [XLIII: Leyden Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xliii-leyden-once-more) Stoutenburg is recalled in Gilda's memories: his visit to the hut, his deception, his fury, and his threats of vengeance against Diogenes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/stoutenburg - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters