Baisemeaux de Montlezun

Also known as: Baisemeaux / M. Baisemeaux / Monsieur Baisemeaux / the governor · Family: Bastille · Role: governor of the Bastile · First appears: Chapter 21

Baisemeaux de Montlezun, governor of the Bastille, had known D’Artagnan and Comte de la Fere since the time of the cardinal, and had formerly been captain of Mazarin’s guards. In chapter 21, Aramis secured the agreement that allowed him to hold the governorship: Tremblay and Louviere resigned their appointments, while Baisemeaux paid them annually and distributed money provided by Aramis. His position could be forfeited if he missed any required payment. D’Artagnan also informed him that the planned arrest had been canceled—“The king does not intend to arrest the person in question.”—and revealed that Aramis was Bishop of Vannes.

In chapter 23, set in 1659, Aramis brought Baisemeaux fifty thousand francs so he could pay the profits owed to Louvidre and Tremblay. Baisemeaux had intended to seek Fouquet’s help in finding Aramis and obtaining the money, while Aramis’s influence had led him to treat Seldon as a prisoner at fifteen francs. Baisemeaux also told Aramis that Marchiali was imprisoned because he resembled the sovereign.