Aramis

Also known as: Abbe d’Herblay / Chevalier d’Herblay / D’Herblay / M. d’Almeda / M. d’Herblay / M. le Duc d’Almeda / M. l’Abbe d’Herblay / Monsieur d’Herblay / Monsieur l’Eveque de Vannes / d’Herblay / monseigneur / the bishop / the bishop of Vannes · Family: D’Artagnan’s former companions · Role: bishop of Vannes and confessor · First appears: Chapter 1

As bishop of Vannes and confessor, Aramis moves among Baisemeaux, Philippe, Porthos, D’Artagnan, Fouquet, and the writers gathered around Louis XIV. In chapters 1–8, Baisemeaux regards him as both a respected prelate and a friend, while Aramis influences Percerin, arranges invitations for Fouquet, commissions Lebrun’s portrait, and secures the release of Seldon—though the order is secretly changed to release Philippe, whom he escorts from the Bastile. In the forest of Senart, he tells Philippe that he is the legitimate heir and Louis XIV’s brother: “You are the son of King Louis XIII., brother of Louis XIV., natural and legitimate heir to the throne of France.”

In chapters 9–21, Aramis becomes Philippe’s mentor and patron, offering him either a secluded life in Bas-Poitou or the crown of France. Philippe chooses the crown, and Aramis plans the substitution that imprisons Louis XIV in the Bastile; he is to become cardinal and prime minister, while Fouquet remains minister. The scheme fails when D’Artagnan discovers the truth, and Fouquet gives Aramis and Porthos four hours to flee to Belle-Isle, which he grants as their refuge. Aramis is pursued by Louis XIV, Anne of Austria, Colbert, and the Duchesse de Chevreuse, while Athos gives him horses and Porthos follows him.

At Belle-Isle in chapters 42–51, Aramis prepares the defenses, orders the artillery into action, and resists the royal forces. He admits to Porthos that he had served the usurper against Louis XIV, declaring, “The king Louis XIV. has no longer now but one enemy: that enemy is myself, myself alone.” With Porthos, Yves, Goenne, and Biscarrat, he defends the grotto, releases Biscarrat to carry a message, and kills guards during the fighting. After Porthos dies beneath the rocks, Aramis surrenders his canoe; Louis Constant de Pressigny spares the sailors but captures him, then carries him toward Corunna.