The vicomte de Bragelonne; or, Ten years later

✍ Scribed by Dumas, Alexandre

• Year: 1858
• Tongue: en-GB
• Weight: 385 KB
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

Though there are many digressions, the heroes of the novel remain d'Artagnan and the rest of the original musketeers who find adventure, perform fantastic feats, grow older, and, except Aramis, come to the ends of their lives.

The action takes place between 1660 and 1667 and has as its thematic background the transformation of Louis XIV from a weak boy king dominated by his ministers and mother to the Sun King in absolute control of the French state. Near the beginning of the first part of the novel "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", d'Artagnan, who is no longer captain of musketeers because of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, resigns from the King's service in disgust over the young King's weakness. Louis would like to help Charles II retake the throne of England but allows his prime minister, Mazarin, to talk him out of giving such aid. The novel then shifts its focus to events in England as d'Artagnan, who is trying to make his fortune, and Athos, who is fulfilling the duty that he believes men owe to monarchs: restore Charles II to the English throne. Near the end of the novel, Charles II is restored thanks to Athos and d´Artagnan, Cardinal Mazarin dies, and d'Artagnan resumes his role in the service of Louis XIV as captain of musketeers again. Aramis, meanwhile, ingratiates himself with the finance minister Fouquet, becomes the Bishop of Vannes, is instrumental in advising Fouquet to improve the fortifications of his castle at Belle-Isle (with the mechanical logistics being greatly assisted by Porthos, and the finance provided by embezzling from the Treasury), and subsequently obtains a high position in the Jesuit Order.