The Outlaw of Torn · Character

De Vac

A grim, iron-handed knight who steals a prince from his father's gardens and raises him in secret hatred — the cruel architect of a lifelong revenge.

supporting

Also known as the terrible De Vac, Sir Jules de Vac, Jules de Vac

First appearance: II

As a supporting figure in The Outlaw of Torn, De Vac is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Master of fence at court, a Frenchman who is publicly humiliated by the King and vows revenge.

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See De Vac in I Book page

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De Vac snatches the little Prince Richard from the King's own gardens, strips him of silks and name, and vanishes with him down the Thames past searching knights. He is patient, merciless, and utterly in control of the child he has made fatherless. His old grudge against Henry drives the entire design of the outlaw's life, and his whispered treacheries keep steering the plot long after the boy becomes a man.

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The fuller portrait of De Vac sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See De Vac in II

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how De Vac sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Courtly and political players
Outlaws, servants, and background figures

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Norman of Torn's secret i…

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Relationships

Henry III
professional · positive
De Vac serves as a loyal soldier and agent for King Henry III, carrying out his orders… How this plays out →
Henry III
professional · positive
De Vac serves as a loyal soldier and agent for King Henry III, carrying out his orders… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See De Vac in II

In the story

De Vac appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Master of fence at court, a Frenchman who is publicly humiliated by the King and vows revenge.
II
Broods over the King's insult and conceives a plot to kidnap Prince Richard for revenge.
The Abduction of Prince Richard
Plans and executes the kidnapping of Prince Richard, kills Lady Maud and an officer, and flees.
IV
Murders Lady Maud, kidnaps Prince Richard, disguises himself, and kills Til to cover his tracks.
The Birth of Norman of Torn
The bent old woman who raises the boy, later revealed to be a man; orchestrates the boy's education and revenge plot.
IX
Implied as the mysterious armored man who assists Peter of Colfax in the plot to capture Bertrade.
XII
Not directly present, but the old man of Torn is implied to be De Vac; he schemes to prevent Norman from learning the truth.
Chapter XIV
Mentioned indirectly as part of the revenge plot that has crushed another innocent victim.
XV
Referred to as the old man of Torn; intercepts Father Claude's message from Simon de Montfort and plots to prevent their meeting.
XIX
Disguised as a little gray man, he betrays Norman to the King and De Montfort, then duels Norman to the death.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for De Vac unlock in the free preview.

See De Vac in II

See De Vac in I