Aramis

Also known as: Abbe Aramis / Chevalier / Chevalier d’Herblay / M. de Vannes / M. d’Herblay / Monsieur d’Herblay / bishop of Vannes / d’Herblay / the prelate · Family: French church · Role: bishop and former musketeer · First appears: Chapter 1

Aramis is a former musketeer who became a bishop, remembered by D’Artagnan as “M. d’Herblay, your old master, my friend, an ecclesiastic, a musketeer turned bishop.” In chapter 1, D’Artagnan investigates Aramis’s dealings and Porthos’s whereabouts, while Planchet serves as his employer’s former associate. By chapter 2, Aramis is absent from Paris but has made inquiries at the Bastille; by chapter 3, he has made Porthos his prisoner, though Porthos is credited with building the fortifications Aramis designed.

At the salon in chapter 8, Fouquet presents Aramis to Louis XIV, who promises him the first available cardinal’s hat. Aramis remains connected with Porthos, D’Artagnan, and Athos through their old friendships and the former musketeer quartette. In chapter 9, he explains that Fouquet gave him livings and a bishopric, offers D’Artagnan rank and wealth in return for joining Fouquet’s service, and learns that D’Artagnan has uncovered the plot. He also uses his influence to secure Porthos the promise of increased rank.

By chapter 40, Aramis’s long friendship with Madame de Chevreuse and friendship with Athos are established, but he refuses her offers concerning the Franciscan’s post and Mazarin’s letters. In chapters 48–49, he offers Fouquet fourteen hundred thousand francs, then promises twenty million for the fête at Vaux and takes charge of its execution; he also identifies Colbert as connected with the letters and forcibly confronts Vanel. Later, at the Bastille, Aramis sits with Baisemeaux, reveals himself as “The confessor affiliated to the order,” and goes to the prisoner after Baisemeaux grants the request for a confessor.