When the Musketeers’ company was disbanded in 1646, d’Artagnan entered the service of Cardinal Mazarin as a gentleman attached to the cardinal’s person. Later, Colbert—who was not fond of d’Artagnan—called him a “creature” of the cardinal, emphasizing that Mazarin was responsible for his career.
During the turmoil of the Fronde, Mazarin surrounded himself with young, modest nobles entirely dependent on him but absolutely loyal. D’Artagnan was part of this devoted clientele.
Between 1648 and 1653 he was one of Mazarin’s trusted men, acting as a messenger and discreet agent for the cardinal and Queen Regent Anne of Austria, even during Mazarin’s exile.
Thanks to his courage, unwavering loyalty and efficiency d’Artagnan earned the esteem of the young Louis XIV. In recognition of his service during this turbulent period he was appointed captain of the aviary at the Tuileries in 1654 and 1655. He also obtained the rank of captain in the regiment of the French Guards, with a commission dated 14 January 1656.
Jules Mazarin (1602–1661)
Mazarin was an Italian statesman who became a cardinal and the chief minister to King Louis XIV. Born Giulio Mazzarino into a noble but impoverished family in Italy, he studied law and theology in Rome. He soon connected with the powerful figures of his time and entered the service of Pope Urban VIII.
In 1634 Mazarin moved to Paris, where he became the ambassador of the Holy See to France.
He played a key role in negotiating peace during the Thirty Years’ War, notably with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. Following the death of Cardinal Richelieu in 1642, Mazarin became the chief minister of France, initially under the regency of Queen Anne of Austria, mother of the young Louis XIV.
His rise to power was marked by his political and diplomatic expertise as well as his growing influence at court. However, his tenure was not without challenges. He faced the Fronde, a series of revolts led by nobles and certain parliamentarians who contested his authority. Despite or because of this political crisis, Mazarin’s power was ultimately strengthened.
Mazarin continued the reforms begun by Richelieu, consolidating royal power against external threats and reorganizing the administration. He was also a great patron of the arts and letters. Although his influence was undeniable, critics accused him of greed and corruption.
Mazarin died in 1661 shortly after transferring power to Louis XIV, who from then on chose to rule alone. His final wishes were for the young King to retain the ministries to strengthen absolute monarchy—a goal Louis XIV brilliantly achieved during his reign.
François de Monlezun (c. 1612–1697)
François de Monlezun was born at the Besmaux estate near Pavie into a modest family of the lesser Gascon nobility. He made his way to Paris around the same time as d’Artagnan, and the two met there. Marshal Antoine III de Gramont was his protector and introduced him to Mazarin. Upon arrival Monlezun was admitted to the regiment of the French Guards. He then joined the Musketeers’ company in 1634 until its dissolution in 1646. From then on Mazarin kept both Besmaux and d’Artagnan close as trusted agents who undertook numerous secret missions during the cardinal’s exile in Germany.
François de Monlezun also took part in military campaigns with the Italian army from 1646 to 1648. In October 1646 he brought news of the victory at Piombino to the court, and a year later he distinguished himself at the battle of Cividale against the Spaniards. On 30 June 1648, at the battle of Cremona, he was wounded by a musket shot that shattered his jaw while leading the company of light cavalry.
Titled Marquis of Besmaux in 1657, Mazarin appointed him captain of the Guards, and in 1658 he received the highly coveted and lucrative position of governor of the Bastille, which he held until his death in 1697.
A longtime friend of d’Artagnan, he was also one of the signatories of d’Artagnan’s marriage contract with Anne-Charlotte de Chanlecy on 3 March 1659.
On June 20, 1663, at the King’s request, he received the former superintendent of finances, Nicolas Fouquet, at the Bastille, escorted by d’Artagnan and his men. This episode caused tension between the two men, as the prisoner was placed entirely under d’Artagnan’s responsibility, relegating Besmaux to the role of jailer.
Courtilz de Sandras, a famous pamphleteer, was among the prisoners of the Bastille from April 1693 to March 1699, and it is possible that during this time Courtilz received many confidences from Besmaux which he used to write the famous Memoirs of Monsieur d’Artagnan.
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