# Willem — The Laughing Cavalier character guide > Willem in The Laughing Cavalier by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Stoutenburg, Willem van Stoutenburg **First appearance:** 0003-i-new-year-s-eve ## Who they are The fugitive son of John of Barneveld, once Gilda's suitor, now a hunted conspirator whose thwarted ambition and dangerous charm drive the intrigue that engulfs Haarlem. ## Relationships ### [Gilda Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/gilda_beresteyn) _family_ Gilda and Willem are siblings, with a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets and political tensions. ### [Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/stoutenburg) _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) _family_ Nicolaes and Willem are brothers, with a complex relationship involving rivalry and shared family burdens. ### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/diogenes) _friendship_ Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure. ### [Gilda Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/gilda_beresteyn) _family_ Gilda and Willem are siblings, with a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets and political tensions. ### [Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/stoutenburg) _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) _family_ Nicolaes and Willem are brothers, with a complex relationship involving rivalry and shared family burdens. ### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/diogenes) _friendship_ Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure. ### [Gilda Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/gilda_beresteyn) _family_ Gilda and Willem are siblings, with a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets and political tensions. ### [Nicolaes Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/nicolaes_beresteyn) _family_ Nicolaes and Willem are brothers, with a complex relationship involving rivalry and shared family burdens. ### [Stoutenburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/stoutenburg) _rivalry_ Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests. ### [Diogenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/diogenes) _friendship_ Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure. ## 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. ### [II: The Fracas by the Postern Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/ii-the-fracas-by-the-postern-gate) Aggressor whose nose is also flattened during the confrontation. ### [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/willem - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters