Countess Trifaldi

Also known as: Countess Lobuna / Countess Three-skirts or Three-tails / Countess Zorruna / Señora Countess Trifaldi / Señora Trifaldi / Trifaldi / my lady the Countess Trifaldi / señora countess / the Countess Trifaldi / the Distressed Duenna / the Distressed One / the Trifaldi / the bearded countess / the countess · Role: countess · First appears: Part 2, Ch. 36.2

In Part 2, Ch. 36.2, Trifaldin of the White Beard presented Countess Trifaldi, also called the Distressed Duenna, and sought permission for her to enter and tell her troubles. He identified himself as her squire: “Most high and mighty señor, my name is Trifaldin of the White Beard; I am squire to the Countess Trifaldi.” The duke admitted her and promised protection from himself and Don Quixote, while Don Quixote pledged his aid; in Ch. 38.1, the duke and the duchess received her and seated her beside the duchess, and Sancho Panza agreed to ask his master to help her.

At Kandy, after time had passed, Countess Trifaldi was won over by the gentleman Don Clavijo, who influenced her with verses, trinkets, and jewels. As guardian of Princess Antonomasia, whom she had raised under her care and direction, she helped Don Clavijo gain access to the princess and drafted the binding agreement by which he would demand her as his wife before the Vicar.

In Ch. 39, Malambruno threatened her with a scimitar, making them enemies. By Ch. 41.1, his enchantment had caused the duennas’ beards to grow, and the arrival of Clavileño opened the way for their rescue. Countess Trifaldi urged Sancho Panza to trust Malambruno and assured Don Quixote that he could mount without fear: “I will be bail for him,” she said, before carefully bandaging his eyes for the adventure.