Bernard Chatelet is a fictional character from the manga "The Rose of Versailles" and its sequel "Glorious Napoleon – Eroica." He is a newspaper reporter who once lived the life of a mysterious thief known as the "Black Knight." Born in 1760, Bernard was deeply hurt by the actions of the nobility since childhood, which fueled his anger and sense of justice. Even though he had a troubled past—being abandoned by his noble father and surviving a tragic incident with his mother—he grows to fight for the rights of the poor. Bernard forms meaningful connections with other main characters, especially Rosalie Lamorliere, whom he eventually marries. His life story includes strong moments of fighting against injustice and experiencing both dramatic successes and hardships during and after the revolution.
Bernard is passionate and rebellious.
He hates the nobility and always stands up for poor people.
He believes strongly in justice, even if it means breaking the law.
He is also caring, shown by how he helps Rosalie through her rough times.
Sometimes his anger leads to harsh actions, but deep down he wants fairness for everyone.
Bernard was born in 1760.
He is an illegitimate child of a nobleman.
At age 5, his father kicked him and his mother out of their home.
His mother, heartbroken, tried to end both of their lives, but only Bernard survived.
Growing up in poverty, he hated the nobles for how they treated people like his mother and himself.
This experience shaped his belief that all nobles are bad.
He later became a journalist, inspired by the ideas of Maximilien de Robespierre.
Bernard grows close to Rosalie Lamorliere, who also suffered because of noble families.
They fall in love during her stay at his place after she loses her adoptive mother.
Eventually, Bernard and Rosalie get married.
Even after marrying Bernard, Rosalie still cares deeply about Oscar François de Jarjayes, making Bernard a little jealous.
Bernard also works with Alain de Soisson and takes part in key historical events.
He admires and follows Robespierre’s thinking.
"Take up arms, citizens! Let’s protect Paris!"
The Black Knight and Oscar
Bernard’s anger at nobles leads him to become the "Black Knight," a thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor.
He is eventually caught by Oscar François de Jarjayes.
After Oscar learns about Bernard’s struggles as a commoner, she decides to release him back to the city instead of punishing him.
She asks Bernard to stop stealing and leave a girl named Rosalie Lamorliere in his care.
Growing Closer to Rosalie
In the anime, Rosalie does not return to the Jarjayes mansion.
Instead, she stays with Bernard while recovering, and they grow close.
Bernard, who also lost his mother at a young age, feels drawn to her.
Over time, their bond deepens and they become a couple.
Bernard and the Revolution
Bernard is very active during the French Revolution.
Later, he appears in "Glorious Napoleon – Eroica," showing his life with Rosalie as a married couple.
He and Alain de Soisson once plan to assassinate Napoleon, but they fail and Bernard dies a tragic death.
His Attitude Toward Nobles and Justice
During the "Necklace Incident," Bernard cares less about who is truly good or evil and more about seeing Marie Antoinette punished.
His view is driven by his childhood trauma—he believes all nobles are bad.
When the Duke d’Enghien is falsely accused and executed on Napoleon's orders, Bernard feels little sympathy because the victim was noble and, in his eyes, not dangerous to the republic.
- Bernard’s character is inspired by Camille Desmoulins, a real journalist who pushed people to storm the Bastille.
- In the anime, Bernard’s campaign against the rich is more direct. He sometimes hurts soldiers and steals guns to give weapons to the people.
- There is a famous scene where André Grandier is forced by Oscar to cut his hair and dress as the "fake Black Knight" to help catch Bernard.
- In some versions, Bernard unintentionally causes André’s left eye to be injured.
Anime and Film Adaptations
1979 TV Anime
Bernard is shown as the "Black Knight" and is mentioned to be born in 1760.
He steals from the rich and gives things to the poor.
He believes that "one gun is worth more than one hour of speeches."
Oscar tries to pretend to be the "Black Knight" as bait, but André volunteers instead because Oscar’s blonde hair wouldn’t work.
In the anime, Bernard is shot by Oscar. He doesn’t become as close to her as in the original story.
He eventually marries Rosalie after the "Black Knight" incident.
Bernard later visits Alain de Soisson, who has become a farmer after the revolution, and Alain says that Oscar and André were lucky to die before seeing the ugliness that followed the revolution.
2025 Movie
The "Black Knight" storyline is removed.
André’s eye injury happens differently: the Duke de Geneme points a gun at a poor boy, causing chaos. When Oscar is threatened, André gets seriously hurt protecting her.
Bernard stops the angry crowd by telling them not to act like the heartless nobles.
Oscar brings André back to her home to care for him.
In the second half of the film, Bernard sings "Anger and Pain," encouraging the people to rise up.
- Bernard is not related to Oscar but forms an important part of her and Rosalie’s stories.
- Even after marrying Rosalie, Bernard cannot help feeling jealous when she thinks of Oscar.
- Bernard values action more than words, believing in fighting for justice with real effort.
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