Richelieu

Also known as: Cardinal Richelieu / Monsieur de Richelieu / the cardinal / the late cardinal · Family: French court · Role: former cardinal and minister · First appears: Chapter 1

As a former cardinal and minister of the French court, Richelieu shaped the careers of those around him. In chapter 1, he patronized Emery by recognizing his financial aptitude and recommending him for office, while Mazarin was described as his shade. He also made Comte de Rochefort his creature and relied on Joseph, the favorite known as the Gray Cardinal; Monsieur de Chavigny was reportedly his son and had been one of his creatures.

After Richelieu’s death, Comte de Rochefort continued to serve those connected with his former power, calling himself a faithful servant of the late cardinal. In chapter 2, Mazarin identified him as a former Richelieu agent who could reveal past intrigues. Richelieu’s influence also extended through Monsieur du Tremblay, who had been brought up in his school, while Anne of Austria was associated with those who opposed him and later with those who had saved her from his hatred.

By chapters 22 and 79, Athos and Aramis measured Richelieu as a figure whose position surpassed theirs, with Athos declaring, “Richelieu was a gentleman, our equal in birth, our superior in position.” In chapter 27, Richelieu compensated D’Artagnan for horses and services with bank notes, while his words about Porthos were understood as preserving the hope of a barony. His memory remained a point of comparison for Aramis and Mazarin, and Anne of Austria was later remembered as having been saved from the double hatred of Richelieu and the king.

Relationship record

Life events

• Mazarin identifies Comte de Rochefort as a former Richelieu agent who can reveal past intrigues.(Chapter2 · 📍 Palais Royal)
  • With: Mazarin Guitant Comte de Rochefort
  • “The Comte de Rochefort.”
• Monsieur de Richelieu compensates D’Artagnan with notes for the horses and services rendered.(Chapter27 · 📍 Hotel de la Chevrette)
  • With: D’Artagnan
  • “putting his hand into a drawer, he took from it a quantity of notes on a bank in Lyons.”

Chapter 1

• protégé: Emery “Cardinal Richelieu having discovered in him great financial aptitude, had introduced him with a strong recommendation to Louis XIII. under his assumed name, in order that he might be appointed to the post he subsequently held.”
• with Mazarin (Mazarin occupies Richelieu’s former position.) “The shade of Richelieu was Mazarin.”

Chapter 2

• protégé: Comte de Rochefort “He was Cardinal Richelieu’s creature, my lord.”