Aramis

Also known as: Abbe d’Herblay / Bishop of Vannes / M. d'Herblay / M. d’Herblay / M. le Chevalier d’Herblay / M. le Vicaire-General d’Herblay / Monsieur d’Herblay / Monsieur le Vicaire-General / Vicar-General d’Herblay / bishop of Vannes / d'Herblay / monseigneur Rene · Family: Church · Role: bishop of Vannes · First appears: Chapter 17

A month before chapter 17, Fouquet secured Aramis’s nomination as bishop, becoming both his patron and his friend; Aramis preached Sundays at Fouquet’s house at Vaux and hunted with him. He remained a friend of D’Artagnan, employed Bazin, and was counted as a friend by Porthos, whom he summoned urgently before the Equinox. D’Artagnan later included Aramis among those who would receive money for Raoul, while Aramis and Athos had translated passages from Seneca and Cicero for him.

By chapter 70, Aramis had become “Ah! bishop of Vannes.” Fouquet promised him a cardinal’s red hat, and ten minutes after entering the episcopal palace, Aramis returned in triumph, receiving military honors and public recognition as a patron. He maintained ties with Porthos through letters and was embraced by Pelisson on arriving at Fouquet’s cabinet; Lyodot and D’Eymeris were also referred to as their dear friends.

In chapter 73, Aramis secretly sent Porthos to Paris with a letter for Fouquet, while deceiving D’Artagnan about Porthos’s whereabouts and concealing his own departure. After learning that D’Artagnan had visited Belle-Isle disguised and examined its fortifications, Aramis advised Fouquet to approach the king about the island, and Fouquet agreed, saying, “I will go to the Louvre.”