# King Louis XIII — The Three Musketeers character guide

> King Louis XIII in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Louis XIII, King Louis XIII, Louis the Just

**First appearance:** 0007-vi-his-majesty-king-louis-xiii

## Snapshot

France's uneasy monarch, jealous of his queen, wary of his own cardinal, and happiest when someone tells him a good story about brave musketeers.

## Who they are

Louis XIII sits at the center of a court he only half controls, overshadowed by Richelieu and privately wounded by Anne's coldness. He craves loyalty and martial glory, and a well-told account of a brawl can win his favor faster than any argument of state. His delight in Tréville's report of the musketeers' victory is what lifts d'Artagnan from a hotheaded provincial into a name the king himself wants to meet.

## In the story

### [The Antechamber of M. de Tréville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/ii-the-antechamber-of-m-de-tr-ville)

Mentioned as a friend of Tréville and as having a real liking for him; his name causes a momentary hush among the Musketeers.

### [His Majesty King Louis XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/vi-his-majesty-king-louis-xiii)

Referred to as Louis the Just; initially annoyed with the Musketeers but becomes delighted by their victory and rewards D'Artagnan.

### [Men of the Robe and Men of the Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xv-men-of-the-robe-and-men-of-the-sword)

Easily swayed by the cardinal but ultimately signs the order for Athos's release.

### [In Which M. Séguier, Keeper of the Seals, Looks More Than Once for the Bell, in Order to Ring It, as He Did Before](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xvi-in-which-m-s-guier-keeper-of-the-seals-looks-more-than-once-for-the-bell-in-order-to-ring-it-as-he-did-before)

Grows pale and red with jealousy and anger upon hearing of Buckingham's presence in Paris; orders the search of the queen's papers and confronts her directly.

### [XXII: The Ballet of La Merlaison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxii-the-ballet-of-la-merlaison)

Attends the ball looking dull and preoccupied, later confronts the queen about the studs.

### [A Terrible Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xl-a-terrible-vision)

Holds a review despite being ill, preparing for the siege of La Rochelle.

### [The Anjou Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlii-the-anjou-wine)

Arrives at the camp with reinforcements, prompting celebrations.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/king_louis_xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters