Louis XIV

Also known as: King Louis / Louis / his majesty / sire / the king / the king of France / your majesty · Family: French monarchy · Role: king of France · First appears: Chapter 1

At chapter 1, Louis XIV claimed Belle-Isle, granted D’Artagnan the captaincy of the musketeers, and took Raoul into his service, declaring that “you belong to me from this morning.” He learned that Raoul was the son of Comte de la Fere, remembered Louis XIII as his father, and identified Gaston of Orleans as his uncle. In chapter 13, he honored his brother Duke of Orleans with magnificent festivities; chapter 16 places him as the eldest son loved by Anne of Austria for his regal power and as the brother of Monsieur.

By chapter 18, Louis opposed Raoul’s marriage to Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Vallière, wishing the young couple to wait, while working with Colbert and Fouquet and requiring four million francs for a fête at Fontainebleau. He later protected De Guiche from Monsieur, then ordered him to retire to his estates, before pardoning him and allowing him to dance at court. His relationship with Madame shifted from acknowledged court recognition to courtship: he pursued her, learned that Monsieur and Maria Theresa were jealous, and agreed to court La Vallière as a diversion, while continuing to present himself to Madame as a brother. He secretly met La Vallière, refused permission for her marriage to Raoul, learned of her affection, and disclosed that he had overheard her confession beneath the royal oak.

In the later chapters, Louis pursued La Vallière openly, declaring his love and placing her under his safeguard: “henceforth you are under my safeguard.” He arranged for her marriage to Raoul to be celebrated after Comte de la Fere’s return from England, but then began a mutual romantic relationship with her and publicly showed her extraordinary deference, later giving her the bracelets he had won. He treated Madame more graciously, pursued her during her early marriage, and in 1662 refused her request to return to England, keeping her in France and forming an alliance with her. He also granted Fouquet an immediate audience in 1661, withdrew his prejudices against him, promised Aramis a better bishopric, employed Villeroy, Saint-Aignan, Malicorne, Lyonne, and Colbert, and maintained a policy prepared to claim Spain’s inheritance after a royal death.