Broussel

Also known as: Councillor Broussel / Master Broussel / Monsieur Broussel / the father of the people · Family: French parliament · Role: councillor · First appears: Chapter 1

At the beginning, as a councillor of the French parliament, Broussel joined President Blancmesnil in protesting the fresh taxes imposed by Louis XIV. After the chase in chapter 26, Mazarin said that D’Artagnan had “destroyed Broussel”; yet by the following chapter Broussel had been carried home by the people, visited by Madame de Longueville and Prince de Conti, and honored by visits left at his door by Madame de Chevreuse and Madame de Vendôme.

In chapter 44, Comminges arrested Broussel under the king’s order and forced him into a carriage, while his servant Nanette raised the alarm and his son Louvières was beside him. Broussel was taken from Paris and imprisoned at Saint Germain; his confinement helped provoke an open revolt, with the people demanding his release and crying “Long live Broussel!” Gondy urged Anne of Austria to free him, and after resistance she signed the order releasing him.

The next morning, Broussel returned to Paris in a large carriage with Louvières at his side, welcomed by the crowd as “our father.” Anne of Austria subsequently restored Broussel and Blancmesnil to the people, while later Athos made clear that he was a Frondeur, but not of Broussel’s party.