and, having killed the Bernese, the young Englishman obtained Count Albert's consent to his marriage with Anne, with strict injunctions to warn the duke that the Secret Tribunal had decreed his death. On the same night, the Swiss won their decisive victory at Nancy, establishing their independence. Charles was slain in the battle, his naked and disfigured body only discovered some days afterward frozen into the nearby river. His face had been so badly mutilated by wild animals that his physician was only able to identify him by his long fingernails and the old battle scars on his body. Being still an exile, the earl accepted the patriot Biederman's invitation to reside with his countess at Geierstein, until the battle of Bosworth placed Henry VII on the throne, when Arthur and his wife attracted as much admiration at the English Court as they had gained among their Swiss neighbours. Characters Principal characters in bold John Philipson, an English merchant, afterwards John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford Arthur, his son Antonio, their young Swiss guide Arnold Biederman, a magistrate of Unterwalden His three oldest sons: Rudiger, Ernest, and Sigismond Anne of Geierstein, his niece Count Albert of Geierstein, Anne's father (appearing as the Black Priest of Saint Paul's etc.) Ital Schrekenwald, Albert's steward Rudolph Donnerhugel, a Bernese gallant Swiss deputies: Nicholas Bonstetten (Schwyz), Melchoir Sturmthal (Berne), and Adam Zimmerman (Soleure) Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy Lord of Contay, his councillor Archibald Hagenbach, Governor of La Ferette Kilian, his steward Francis Steinernherz, executioner at La Ferette Dannischemend, a Persian sage Hermione, his daughter Brother Bartholomew, apparently a palmer John Mengs, landlord of the 'Golden Fleece' Margaret of Anjou, widow of Henry VI King René of Provence, her father Ferrand de Vaudemont, Duke of Lorraine, his grandson (appearing as the Blue Cavalier) Thiebault, a Provençal Count Campo Basso, commander of Italian mercenaries Colvin, a Burgundian cannoneer Chapter summary Volume One Ch. 1: John Philipson and his son Arthur, passing as merchants, and their Swiss guide lose their way in the mountains between Lucerne and Basel and are impeded by a landslip, but they catch sight of the castle of Geierstein. Ch. 2: Arthur attempts to reach the castle but gets into difficulties and is helped to safety by Anne. Ch. 3: Arthur and his father are reunited at Geierstein, where Anne's uncle Arnold Biederman welcomes them. Rudolph Donnerhugel brings a request