The True Story of "The Three Musketeers"

"All for one, and one for all!" is an expression most people recognize, and it comes from Alexandre Dumas' celebrated 1844 novel, The Three Musketeers. But did you know many of the characters existed in real life? In anticipation of HFCC's spring production, take a look at some of the famous personages:

D’Artagnan was loosely based on Charles de Batz-Castelmore. Unlike his fictional counterpart, he served Louis XIV and Cardinal Mazarin rather than their predecessors, Louis XIII and Richelieu. He was highly skilled and rose through the ranks to become Captain of the Musketeers. The "real" D’Artagnan died in service in 1673 at the Siege of Maestricht.

Isaac de Porthau, a member of the Musketeers, influenced the character of Porthos. He was also a cousin of M. de Treville and Athos.  He was, like D’Artagnan, born in Gascony. He eventually resigned from the Musketeers and became a political secretary.

Athos was based on Armand de Sillegue d’Athos. He was de Treville’s nephew and, as mentioned, cousin to Isaac de Porthau. His life was saved by D’Artagnan during a battle, and the two became lifelong friends.

Aramis was Henri d’Aramitz, another Musketeer, also related to de Porthau and de Sillegue d’Athos through his uncle, de Treville. His uncle called him to Paris to become a Musketeer on account of his remarkable swordsmanship. In later life he retired to become a priest.

Monsieur de Treville was based on the historical Jean-Armand du Peyrer, Compte de Troisville (or Treville). A Gascon born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, he was the son of an old military family ennobled only in 1607 by the purchase of a seigneurie (Trois Villes). Treville entered the royal army as a young cadet, and by virtue of his great skill as a soldier, a duelist and a courtier, became commander of the king’s Musketeers in 1624. He recruited many of his relatives (see above) as Musketeers. He was involved in a plot to assassinate Cardinal Richelieu in 1642 and was thereafter banished by the King.

King Louis XIII ruled France from 1610 (upon the assassination of his father, Henry IV) until his death in 1643. He married Anne of Austria, daughter of King Phillip III of Spain, in 1615. They were both 14 years old. Though theirs was not a happy marriage, it did produce a son: the future Louis XIV. Louis XIII ruled France, initially with the unwanted help of his mother, Marie de Medici, and later, with the trusted help of his chief minister and right hand man, Cardinal Richelieu.

Queen Anne of Austria was the daughter of King Phillip III of Spain and Margaret of Austria. She and her husband, Louis XIII, did not have their first child, Louis XIV, until Anne was thirty-seven years old. She was generally considered to be brilliant, cunning and beautiful (her hands especially), with a love for magnificent jewellery. She became Queen Regent upon the death of Louis XIII until their son came of age in 1651.

Milady de Winter was probably based on Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle. An Englishwoman, she used her wit and beauty to her benefit in many intrigues during the English Civil War. She was romanced briefly by the Duke of Buckingham, who threw her over in favor of Anne of Austria. In revenge, she became an agent of Cardinal Richelieu and worked to sabotage the treaty between France and England. She was imprisoned for political reasons following the beheading of Charles I in England.

The Duke of Buckingham, also known as George Villiers, was a favorite of James I of England. His appointment as Duke of Buckingham made him the highest ranking noble outside of the royal family. He retained his post under James’ successor, Charles I. A series of failed military campaigns seriously damaged his reputation, and he was eventually murdered by John Felton, one of his own soldiers.

Cardinal Richelieu was born in Paris in 1585. In 1606 he was appointed Bishop of Luçon, and in 1622 he became a Cardinal. Richelieu was appointed France's Secretary of State for foreign affairs in 1616, and became France’s prime minister and head of the royal council in 1624. Richelieu was successful in helping King Louis XIII solidify his authority in France – which he did through force and political repression. During his service as prime minister he helped France become the leading power in Europe. 

The Three Musketeers opens Friday, April 4, and runs through Sunday, April 13. Performances are at 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 pm Sundays. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students with ID. Call (313) 845-9817 or visit theatre.hfcc.edu. Adray Auditorium is housed in Mackenzie Fine Arts Center on the college campus, 5101 Michigan Ave in Dearborn.