Character Relationship Map: The Conclave

Characters

• Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomin (played by Brian Blessed) — protagonist

  Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomin is a cardinal and one of the two leading contenders in the conclave, receiving eight votes in the first ballot against Guillaume D'Estouteville's ten. He secretly records the...

• Cardinal Guillaume D'Estouteville (played by James Faulkner) — supporting

  Cardinal Guillaume D'Estouteville is the strongest rival to Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomin in the papal election. He seeks Juan De Mella's support by promising to restrain the French claim to Naples and av...

• Vanozza (played by Nora Tschirner) — supporting

  Vanozza is closely connected to Rodrigo Borgia before he leaves for Rome. Rodrigo asks her to remain loyal whatever happens, and she promises to wait for him there. Her commitment is immediately place...

• Rodrigo Borgia (played by Manu Fullola) — supporting

  Rodrigo Borgia is a 27-year-old Spanish cardinal and the drama's central political operator. Summoned to Rome over the pope's failing health, he seeks votes by offering protection and preserving allie...

• Cardinal Juan De Mella (played by Brian Downey) — supporting

  Cardinal Juan De Mella is a potential power broker in the conclave whom Guillaume D'Estouteville tries to recruit. Guillaume promises him a policy against the French claim to Naples and an end to Chri...

• Pedro Luis Borgia (played by Lolo Herrero) — supporting

  Pedro Luis Borgia is a person whose safety becomes a serious concern for Rodrigo Borgia during the preparations for the conclave. Rodrigo worries that Pedro Luis may be returning to Spain and consider...

• Pope Calixtus III (played by Joseph Rutten) — minor

  Pope Calixtus III is Rodrigo Borgia's uncle, whose deteriorating health sets the main political events in motion. Rodrigo is summoned to the Vatican because of concerns about him, while preparations b...

• Guiliano Della Rovere (played by Matthias Koeberlin) — minor

  Guiliano Della Rovere is a political observer who challenges Vanozza's confidence in Rodrigo Borgia's future. He warns her that Rodrigo's position may soon change, introducing an early note of instabi...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Cardinal Guillaume D'Estouteville → Cardinal Juan De Mella (Power Vote Seeker And Potential Supporter) — Guillaume appeals to Juan with political assurances, while Juan recognizes that Guillaume speaks as though already certain of becoming pope.

  Guillaume tries to win Juan De Mella by promising to restrain the King of France's claim to Naples and prevent Christian bloodshed.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Pedro Luis Borgia (Family Concerned Relative) — Rodrigo's concern for Pedro Luis adds a personal stake to the political uncertainty.

  Rodrigo worries about Pedro Luis Borgia's safety, as Pedro Luis may be returning to Spain.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Pope Calixtus III (Family Nephew And Uncle) — The pope's failing health prompts Rodrigo's return to the Vatican and contributes to preparations for a possible transition of power.

  Rodrigo is summoned to the Vatican because of concerns about the health of his uncle, the pope.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Vanozza (Romantic Loyal Lovers) — Their exchange establishes a personal bond tested by Rodrigo's uncertain political future.

  Rodrigo asks Vanozza to remain loyal to him whatever happens, and she promises to wait for him in Rome.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomin (Conflict Rival Candidates) — The ballot places Aeneas among the leading contenders in a contest shaped by competing political strategies.

  The first ballot gives Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomin eight votes while Guillaume receives ten, leaving neither with a majority.

• Rodrigo Borgia → Cardinal Guillaume D'Estouteville (Conflict Rival Candidates) — Both maneuver for influence during the conclave, as Guillaume emerges as the leading vote-getter in the first ballot.

  The central contest develops between Rodrigo's political maneuvering and Cardinal Guillaume D'Estouteville's campaign for votes; the first ballot give...

• Guiliano Della Rovere → Vanozza (Social Political Warners) — Guiliano alerts Vanozza to the political uncertainty surrounding Rodrigo.

  Guiliano warns Vanozza that Rodrigo's position may soon change.

Story Analysis

As the pope's health raises the prospect of a transition, cardinals maneuver for votes amid political rivalries and concern over the fate of Constantinople.

Plot Progression

1. A Summons Amid Uncertainty — Rome faces a possible change of power as concern grows over the pope's health. Rodrigo leaves personal assurances with Vanozza while preparations and worries about Pedro Luis underscore the stakes.
2. Campaigning for Influence — As the conclave approaches, cardinals seek protection and political support. Rodrigo offers service and security while asserting his allegiance and making a case for practical leadership.
3. Promises and Accusations — Rodrigo tries to preserve allies' interests in exchange for votes, while accusations of simony expose the contest's distrust. Guillaume courts Juan De Mella with promises about Naples and preventing b...
4. A Ballot Without Resolution — The first ballot gives Guillaume ten votes and Aeneas eight, but neither reaches a majority. Voting is delayed until morning as the cardinals continue debating the crusade and Constantinople.