Bellarion the Fortunate

Bellarion the Fortunate, published in 1926, is an historical novel by Rafael Sabatini. Set at the beginning of the 15th century in Northern Italy, it takes place first in the Marquessate of Montferrat and later in the Duchy of Milan. Most of its characters, including Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria Visconti, Facino Cane, Filippo Maria Visconti, and Francesco Bussone da Carmagnola, were real historical figures; the scheming title character is the notable exception.

In the novel, Bellarion was abandoned as a child and was raised in an abbey. As a young man, he leaves to study in the University of Pavia. He briefly travels with a Franciscan friar, but then discovers that the friar is a criminal in disguise. The authorities in Montferrat assume that Bellarion is an accomplice of his traveling companion, while Princess Valeria of Montferrat mistakes him for an expected messenger from one of her contacts. Bellarion offers to serve as her own messenger. He soon becomes involved in a plot to assassinate Valeria's uncle, the acting regent Theodore Palaeologus, and he personally murders a double agent among the conspirators. To avoid murder charges, Bellarion pretends to be an adoptive son of the Milanese condottiere Facino Cane. For his own reasons, Cane formalizes the adoption. Bellarion proceeds to become an important mercenary captain in his own right. He continues to serve Valeria throughout his career.