Louis XIV

Also known as: Louis / Louis XIV. / his majesty / his majesty Louis XIV / king of France / my ex-master / sire / the king / the king of France / the young king / the young prince / young king / your majesty · Family: French monarchy · Role: king of France · First appears: Chapter 1

Louis XIV was the son of Louis XIII and, as king of France, became an enemy of Prince de Conde during their rupture. In chapter 4, while traveling through Blois toward Spain, he was announced to be marrying; Raoul nevertheless continued to serve his fortunes. At Blois, Gaston offered him hospitality, while Mazarin remained his cardinal and pupil-master, and Anne of Austria was his mother. He praised Mademoiselle de la Vallière and pursued Mary de Mancini, whose sisters had been sent away.

In 1650 at Blois, Louis promised Charles II that he would seek Mazarin’s support for the restoration of the English king. In 1659, Charles II asked him for money or soldiers, but Mazarin refused both funds and two hundred gentlemen, explaining that a treaty forbade Louis to shelter him. Louis asserted his authority to offer Charles II residence, though Charles II declined; later, Louis refused his request for a million, and the protection previously given to him cooled. Louis also pursued Mary de Mancini, but when Rome rejected their marriage and he failed to commit himself, she left him. He then abandoned that marriage and chose Maria Theresa, telling Mazarin, “I am prepared, then, to wed the infanta, Maria Theresa.”

Louis’s relationship with D’Artagnan shifted from employer to patron: he accepted the musketeer’s resignation, granted his discharge and pension, then later restored his commission, increased his pension, and ordered him back into service. He was a friend, patron, and cousin to Charles II, received Athos as his ambassador, and promised to reward him for aiding the restoration. He remained attached to Mazarin, whom he thanked for his friendship and credited with raising and supporting him. When Mazarin offered him his fortune, Louis destroyed the donation, postponed accepting it, and followed his advice never to appoint a prime minister; he also took up Colbert, promising him a secure place in royal employment.