M. de Tréville

Also known as: DE TRÉVILLE / M. de Troisville / Monsieur de Tréville / Tréville / captain / de Tréville · Family: Musketeers · Role: captain of the Musketeers · First appears: Chapter 1

In chapter 1, M. de Tréville was a friend of Louis XIII and a patron of D’Artagnan, whose father had formerly been his neighbor. He was described as the chief of a legion whom the king esteemed and Richelieu dreaded. In chapter 2, after inheriting only his father’s sword and motto, he was appointed captain of the Musketeers by Louis XIII: “At last Louis XIII. made Tréville the captain of his Musketeers.” He received D’Artagnan in his cabinet, recognized the man who had attacked him, offered him a letter for the Royal Academy, but refused him immediate admission to the Musketeers without campaigns, notable actions, or prior regimental service.

In chapter 3, M. de Tréville commanded Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, forbidding them to risk their lives needlessly; his severity toward Porthos and Aramis was understood as arising from his great love for them. He arranged for Athos to receive treatment after his collapse, and his presence impressed D’Artagnan. By chapter 6, he was a friend of M. de la Trémouille and connected to M. Dessessart through the Guards, while Louis XIII arranged an audience for him and the four men. He later secured Athos’s release, advanced pay to Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and defended his Musketeers against Richelieu. His friendship with D’Artagnan led the young man to confide in him about the queen and Buckingham, and he gave D’Artagnan counsel as a friend, while also speaking of Mme. Bonacieux to the queen.

In chapters 28 and 40, M. de Tréville announced Louis XIII’s decision to open the campaign and gathered the Musketeers under his command for the king’s review. In 1627, Richelieu ordered D’Artagnan transferred into Tréville’s company, allowing the four friends to serve together. In 1628, after the return from La Rochelle, Louis XIII permitted M. de Tréville to distribute four-day furloughs among D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis; later, when informed by Richelieu, he packed his portmanteau.