Anne of Austria

Also known as: her majesty, the queen-mother / the queen-mother · Family: French royal family · Role: queen of France · First appears: Chapter 1

In 1610, Anne of Austria was married to Louis XIII. and was the mother of Philippe and Louis XIV, born as two sons. Philippe was separated from his twin and kept in obscurity, while Anne and Mazarin’s protection helped establish his high birth; “not a soul in France, save his mother, is aware of his existence.” Her relationship with Mazarin was marked by distrust, while D’Artagnan was remembered as one who had faithfully served her mother.

By chapter 9, Anne of Austria and Philippe stood as enemies, with Philippe set against the conspiracy associated with her and Mazarin. Aramis proposed replacing Louis XIV. with Philippe, but when the two appeared as rival kings, Anne collapsed under the shock, struck in both head and heart by remorse. She remained a friend of Madame de Chevreuse and the Duchesse de Chevreuse.

At Fouquet’s house, Anne treated what was offered to her with contempt, while Madame Fouquet stood behind her chair. Later, Anne conceived a bitter hatred for Fouquet because he had taken part in discovering a secret, and pursued Aramis with the utmost rancor, ordering that he be killed.