Duc de Beaufort

Also known as: De Beaufort / Duke de Beaufort / Duke of Beaufort / M. de Beaufort / Monsieur de Beaufort / his highness / my lord / the duke / the prince / the prisoner / your highness · Family: French nobility · Role: duke · First appears: Chapter 1

Duc de Beaufort, a French duke and grandson of Henry IV and Gabrielle d’Estrées, was described as as good-natured, brave, proud, and Gascon as his ancestor, though less educated. After the death of Louis XIII, he had been the favorite and first man at court, but yielded influence and favor to Mazarin, becoming his rival and enemy. Mazarin described him as “the least dangerous among them,” yet had him arrested and sent to Vincennes under Guitant’s charge, where Monsieur de Chavigny destroyed his charcoal, removed his steel knives and silver forks, and placed him under constant guard. La Ramee became his compulsory dinner companion and keeper, tasting his food after the duke alleged poisoning, while Coysel’s prophecy that “the Duke of Beaufort will escape before Whitsuntide” led Mazarin to increase surveillance.

At Vincennes, Rochefort refused Mazarin’s offer to guard him because he was the duke’s friend, and later secretly worked as a gardener outside the prison. Marie de Montbazon arranged for Grimaud to enter the service of the keeper and help prepare the escape; the duke agreed that Grimaud should lead it. With weapons, a rope, and a gag concealed in a pie supplied through Noirmont, the duke and Grimaud overpowered La Ramee, took the keys, descended from the rampart, and reached Rochefort outside. Mounted on horseback, the duke escaped at full gallop and proclaimed, “Free! free! free!” He later released D’Artagnan and Porthos at Athos’s request, remaining their friend, while Madame de Montbazon, his mistress, had arranged relays of horses for his flight.

After his return to Paris, Gondy had Rochefort recall him from Vendôme, and Duc de Beaufort gained sovereignty over the marketplaces. He pillaged Mazarin’s house and library during a popular rising, then declared that he might reconcile with the court if the queen recalled his mother and restored the reversion of the admiralty. Madame de Longueville was installed at the Hôtel de Ville while expecting his heir, and he later returned to court, receiving reparation for the wrongs he had suffered and the office of admiral.