# Fritz von Tarlenheim — The Prisoner of Zenda character guide > Fritz von Tarlenheim in The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Tarlenheim, Fritz, von Tarlenheim, young Fritz, Count Fritz, Master Fritz **First appearance:** 0001-ii-concerning-the-colour-of-men-s-hair ## Snapshot A young Ruritanian nobleman and loyal friend to the King, whose warmth and devotion make him the human heart of the conspiracy to save the crown. ## Who they are Fritz von Tarlenheim is the King's trusted companion and Sapt's younger partner in the plot, a man whose courage is matched by his tenderness. He is in love with the Countess Helga, and his personal stake in the outcome makes him risk more than the others, as Rudolf notes with envy. When the crisis comes, Fritz refuses to abandon Rudolf even against Sapt's orders, and his friendship proves as decisive as any sword in the final rescue. ## Relationships ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _friendship_ Loyal comrades and co-conspirators in the plot to save the king, with Sapt as the elder strategist and Fritz as his devoted younger ally. ### [Black Michael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/black_michael) _rivalry_ Fritz is a loyal supporter of the king and thus a direct opponent to Michael's schemes. ### [Princess Flavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/princess_flavia) _friendship_ Fritz is a trusted friend and loyal subject to Flavia, supporting her through the political turmoil. ### [Rupert Hentzau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rupert_hentzau) _rivalry_ Fritz despises Rupert as a treacherous scoundrel and opposes him in the struggle for the throne. ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _friendship_ Loyal comrades and co-conspirators in the plot to save the king, with Sapt as the elder strategist and Fritz as his devoted younger ally. ### [Black Michael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/black_michael) _rivalry_ Fritz is a loyal supporter of the king and thus a direct opponent to Michael's schemes. ### [Colonel Sapt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/colonel_sapt) _friendship_ Loyal comrades and co-conspirators in the plot to save the king, with Sapt as the elder strategist and Fritz as his devoted younger ally. ### [Princess Flavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/princess_flavia) _friendship_ Fritz is a trusted friend and loyal subject to Flavia, supporting her through the political turmoil. ### [Princess Flavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/princess_flavia) _friendship_ Fritz is a trusted friend and loyal subject to Flavia, supporting her through the political turmoil. ### [Rupert Hentzau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/rupert_hentzau) _rivalry_ Fritz despises Rupert as a treacherous scoundrel and opposes him in the struggle for the throne. ## In the story ### [A Merry Evening with a Distant Relative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/iii-a-merry-evening-with-a-distant-relative) A young gentleman in the king's service who courteously introduces himself and Rassendyll to the king. ### [The King Keeps His Appointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/iv-the-king-keeps-his-appointment) Pale and anxious; supports the impersonation plan and accompanies Rassendyll and Sapt to Strelsau. ### [The Adventures of an Understudy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/v-the-adventures-of-an-understudy) Close behind Rassendyll, pale and shaking with nervousness at the station. ### [The Secret of a Cellar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/vi-the-secret-of-a-cellar) Stays behind at the palace to guard the king's room and prevent anyone from entering. ### [VII: His Majesty Sleeps in Strelsau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/vii-his-majesty-sleeps-in-strelsau) Awakes in the palace dressing room, initially mistakes Rassendyll for the king, then learns the truth and asks if the king is dead. ### [A Fair Cousin and a Dark Brother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/viii-a-fair-cousin-and-a-dark-brother) Accompanies Rassendyll on a ride and to the princess's residence, where he flirts with Countess Helga. ### [A New Use for a Tea-Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/ix-a-new-use-for-a-tea-table) Left on guard while Sapt and Rassendyll go to the summerhouse; his desire to march on Zenda is noted. ### [X: A Great Chance for a Villain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/x-a-great-chance-for-a-villain) Reluctantly assists Sapt's plans; informs Rassendyll of Flavia's growing attachment and is troubled by the deception. ### [Hunting a Very Big Boar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xi-hunting-a-very-big-boar) Accompanies Rassendyll; shows understanding of Rassendyll's difficult position. ### [XII: I Receive a Visitor and Bait a Hook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xii-i-receive-a-visitor-and-bait-a-hook) Accompanies Rassendyll to the inn in Zenda and assists in the plan. ### [An Improvement on Jacob's Ladder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xiii-an-improvement-on-jacob-s-ladder) Attends to Rassendyll after the attack and reports that Johann has been captured. ### [A Night Outside the Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xiv-a-night-outside-the-castle) Accompanies Rassendyll and Sapt on the mission, shows concern for Rassendyll's safety. ### [XV: I Talk with a Tempter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xv-i-talk-with-a-tempter) Mentioned as a potential casualty in Rupert's proposed attack. ### [XVI: A Desperate Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xvi-a-desperate-plan) Supports Rassendyll's plan and urges immediate action. ### [Young Rupert's Midnight Diversions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xvii-young-rupert-s-midnight-diversions) Part of the rescue plan; designated to check on Rassendyll if the door is not opened by two. ### [XIX: Face to Face in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xix-face-to-face-in-the-forest) Arrives on horseback, fires at Rupert, and tends to the wounded Rassendyll, confirming the king is alive. ### [The Prisoner and the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xx-the-prisoner-and-the-king) Helps Rassendyll after the fight; present during the revelation to Flavia. ### [XXI: If Love Were All!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xxi-if-love-were-all) Leads Rassendyll to the king and later to Flavia; bids him farewell at the station, kissing his hand in homage. ### [XXII: Present, Past—and Future?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/chapters/xxii-present-past-and-future) Meets Rassendyll annually in Dresden, bringing news of Strelsau and a red rose from Flavia. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters/fritz_von_tarlenheim - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prisoner_of_zenda_se/characters