Monsieur de Chavigny

Also known as: Chavigny / De Chavigny / M. de Chavigny · Family: Vincennes · Role: governor of Vincennes · First appears: Chapter 17

In chapter 17, Monsieur de Chavigny, governor of Vincennes, watched over Duc de Beaufort as both captor and guardian. He asked the duke to amuse himself elsewhere, destroyed his charcoal and means of drawing, and replaced his steel knives and silver forks with safer utensils. He told La Ramee to treat Duc de Beaufort according to his rank and never leave him alone, since the duke had been entrusted to his care and he was obliged to give him up “dead or alive.” According to report, Richelieu was his father, and De Chavigny had been a creature of the late cardinal’s; he also understood tyranny.

In chapter 18, he called Grimaud promising and directed him to make himself agreeable to La Ramee, saying that Grimaud suited him in all respects. In chapter 19, before leaving for a few days, he sent La Ramee instructions; in chapter 23, he departed on a journey and left La Ramee deputy-governor of the château. He detested Mazarin at heart, though his feelings toward the cardinal matched the difference between the prison governor and the minister, and five years later Duc de Beaufort was still described as having endured prison with Monsieur de Chavigny.

Relationship record

Life events

• Monsieur de Chavigny destroyed Duc de Beaufort’s charcoal and eliminated his means of drawing.(Chapter17 · 📍 Vincennes)
  • With: Duc de Beaufort
  • “Nevertheless, one day when Monsieur de Beaufort was walking in the meadow his fire was put out, his charcoal all removed, taken away; and thus his means of drawing utterly destroyed.”
• Monsieur de Chavigny replaced Duc de Beaufort’s steel knives and silver forks with safer utensils.(Chapter17 · 📍 Vincennes)
  • With: Duc de Beaufort
  • “He took from the duke all the steel knives and silver forks and replaced them with silver knives and wooden forks”
• Monsieur de Chavigny announces his temporary departure and sends La Ramee instructions beforehand.(Chapter19)
  • With: La Ramee
  • “Monsieur de Chavigny is to be away for a few days and he has sent me word that he has certain directions to give me before his departure.”
• Monsieur de Chavigny departed on a journey, leaving La Ramee deputy-governor of the château.(Chapter23)
  • “Monsieur de Chavigny had started on a journey that morning and in his absence La Ramee was deputy-governor of the château.”

Chapter 17

• with Duc de Beaufort (interaction) “Monsieur de Chavigny, the governor of Vincennes, waited upon the duke to request that he would amuse himself in some other way”
• with Richelieu (interaction) “De Chavigny, who, according to report, was a son of Richelieu’s”
• prisoner: Duc de Beaufort “since you were confided peculiarly to my care and as I am obliged to give you up, dead or alive.”
• parent: Richelieu “De Chavigny, who, according to report, was a son of Richelieu’s, and had been a creature of the late cardinal’s, understood tyranny.”
• ward: Duc de Beaufort “La Ramee, I recommend Monsieur le Duc to you, particularly; treat him as a man of his rank and family ought to be treated; that is, never leave him alone an instant.”

Chapter 18

• protégé: Grimaud “‘Here’s a promising fellow and it is I who have found out his merits,’ said Monsieur de Chavigny. ‘Go,’ he added, ‘and make yourself agreeable to Monsieur la Ramee, and tell him that you suit me in all respects.’”
• enemies with Mazarin “Monsieur de Chavigny, who at heart detested the cardinal, took pains to tell the story to two or three friends, who put it into immediate circulation.”

Chapter 19

• servant: La Ramee (The passage indicates that La Ramee receives directions from Monsieur de Chavigny.) “it seems that Monsieur de Chavigny is to be away for a few days and he has sent me word that he has certain directions to give me before his departure.”

Chapter 23

• with Mazarin (The passage identifies Chavigny as governor and Mazarin as minister, subordinate and master respectively.) “It may be observed that there was a proper proportion in his sentiments toward the governor of the prison and the minister—toward the subordinate and the master.”

Chapter 77

• with beaufort (They endured imprisonment together.) “since it has stood five years of prison, with Monsieur de Chavigny to boot”
• with Duc de Beaufort (They are associated through Beaufort's imprisonment.) “since it has stood five years of prison, with Monsieur de Chavigny to boot”

⭐ Constellation map → · 📖 Read the original → · 🗂 Character index → · 🕰 Chronicle → · 📍 Places →

Extracted from the original text of Twenty Years After. Made with Rho MD.