# Milady de Winter — The Three Musketeers character guide > Milady de Winter in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Milady, Milady Clarik, the Comtesse de Winter, Milady de Winter **First appearance:** 0022-xxi-the-comtesse-de-winter ## Snapshot A beautiful English lady with a brother named Rochefort and a talent for sympathy, whose kindness to a frightened seamstress is a trap being set. ## Who they are Milady moves through the story as a devoted sister and comforting friend, offering Madame Bonacieux escape and shelter while quietly arranging the ambush. Her charm is precise, her affection performed, and her loyalty belongs to the Cardinal, who trusts her with his most delicate work. She is the danger D'Artagnan does not yet see, and the reason the early intrigues of the novel keep curdling into something far worse. ## Relationships ### [John Felton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/john_felton) _psychological_ John Felton is manipulated and obsessed by Milady, who uses religious fervor to turn him into her assassin. ### [Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/aramis) _romantic_ Aramis has a brief romantic entanglement with Milady, unaware of her true villainous nature. ### [Constance Bonacieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/constance_bonacieux) _rivalry_ Constance and Milady are direct enemies, with Milady plotting Constance's murder out of jealousy and revenge. ### [Lord de Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/lord_de_winter) _family_ Lord de Winter is Milady's brother-in-law, and they are bitter enemies after he discovers her crimes. ### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/athos) _psychological_ Athos was once married to Milady and is horrified to discover she is a murderess, leading to a toxic obsession and hatred. ### [Cardinal Richelieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/cardinal_richelieu) _professional_ Cardinal Richelieu employs Milady as a deadly secret agent, using her for political assassinations. ### [Constance Bonacieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/constance_bonacieux) _rivalry_ Constance and Milady are direct enemies, with Milady plotting Constance's murder out of jealousy and revenge. ### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/athos) _psychological_ Athos was once married to Milady and is horrified to discover she is a murderess, leading to a toxic obsession and hatred. ### [Cardinal Richelieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/cardinal_richelieu) _professional_ Cardinal Richelieu employs Milady as a deadly secret agent, using her for political assassinations. ### [John Felton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/john_felton) _psychological_ John Felton is manipulated and obsessed by Milady, who uses religious fervor to turn him into her assassin. ### [Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/aramis) _romantic_ Aramis has a brief romantic entanglement with Milady, unaware of her true villainous nature. ### [Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/aramis) _romantic_ Aramis has a brief romantic entanglement with Milady, unaware of her true villainous nature. ## In the story ### [The Man of Meung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xiv-the-man-of-meung) The recipient of the Cardinal's letter instructing her to cut off two diamond studs from Buckingham. ### [The Comtesse de Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxi-the-comtesse-de-winter) Glimpsed by D'Artagnan on a ship as he departs London. ### [Hunting for the Equipments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxix-hunting-for-the-equipments) Appears in church as the lady with the red cushion, recognized by d'Artagnan. ### [XXX: Milady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxx-milady) Seen in her carriage at St. Germain; she sends a billet to de Wardes, quarrels with her brother, and coolly departs as D'Artagnan intervenes. ### [English and French](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxi-english-and-french) Receives D'Artagnan with ceremony but shows signs of hidden animosity; speaks French fluently and is revealed to be Lord de Winter's sister-in-law. ### [Soubrette and Mistress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxiii-soubrette-and-mistress) Writes passionate letters to the Comte de Wardes, unaware that D'Artagnan is intercepting them and forging replies. ### [XXXV: All Cats Are Grey in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxv-all-cats-are-grey-in-the-dark) Believes she is meeting the Comte de Wardes, expresses her love, and gives him a sapphire ring. ### [Dream of Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxvi-dream-of-vengeance) Manipulates d'Artagnan by feigning affection and asking him to kill de Wardes as revenge. ### [XXXVII: Milady’s Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxvii-milady-s-secret) Enraged by D'Artagnan's deception, she attempts to kill him, and her secret fleur-de-lis brand is exposed. ### [How, Without Incommoding Himself, Athos Procures His Equipment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xxxviii-how-without-incommoding-himself-athos-procures-his-equipment) Revealed to bear a fleur-de-lis brand on her shoulder, confirming she is Athos's former wife; described as furious and vengeful. ### [The Siege of La Rochelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xli-the-seige-of-la-rochelle) Revealed as the mastermind behind the assassination plot and the attempted kidnapping of Madame Bonacieux. ### [The Anjou Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlii-the-anjou-wine) Implied to be behind the poisoning attempt; d'Artagnan is certain of her involvement. ### [The Utility of Stovepipes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xliv-the-utility-of-stovepipes) Receives instructions from the cardinal to go to London and negotiate with Buckingham; also seeks the cardinal's aid against d'Artagnan. ### [XLV: A Conjugal Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlv-a-conjugal-scene) Terrified upon recognizing Athos, she is accused of multiple crimes and forced to surrender the cardinal's paper before being escorted to embarkation. ### [The Council of the Musketeers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlvii-the-council-of-the-musketeers) Mentioned as having been seen by Athos; she has demanded d'Artagnan's head from the cardinal. ### [Fatality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/xlix-fatality) Drunk with passion and vengeance, she is escorted by an English officer upon landing in England and taken to a castle, becoming a prisoner. ### [Chat Between Brother and Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/l-chat-between-brother-and-sister) Imprisoned by her brother-in-law, she feigns submission while secretly plotting her escape. ### [Captivity: The First Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lii-captivity-the-first-day) Imprisoned and plotting vengeance against d'Artagnan, Buckingham, and Madame Bonacieux; she resolves to exploit Felton's perceived vulnerability. ### [Captivity: The Second Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/liii-captivity-the-second-day) Feigns illness and adopts a Puritan persona to manipulate Felton. ### [Captivity: The Third Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/liv-captivity-the-third-day) Continues her manipulative seduction of Felton, feigning piety and despair to gain his trust and sympathy. ### [Captivity: The Fourth Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lv-captivity-the-fourth-day) Manipulates Felton with feigned piety and suicidal despair, using her beauty and tears to ensnare him. ### [Captivity: The Fifth Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lvi-captivity-the-fifth-day) Milady is the central figure, using her cunning and beauty to manipulate Felton. She reflects on her need for power and her hatred of exile, plotting her revenge against Buckingham and d'Artagnan. ### [Means for Classical Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lvii-means-for-classical-tragedy) Feigns suicide and reveals a fabricated brand to manipulate Felton. ### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lviii-escape) Feigning weakness from her wound, she manipulates Felton and orchestrates her escape, showing her cunning and determination. ### [What Took Place at Portsmouth August 23, 1628](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lix-what-took-place-at-portsmouth-august-23-1628) Manipulates Felton into killing Buckingham; escapes from the castle via a rope ladder. ### [LX: In France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lx-in-france) The mortal enemy of Madame Bonacieux, whose rendezvous at Béthune is feared by the musketeers. ### [LXI: The Carmelite Convent at Béthune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxi-the-carmelite-convent-at-b-thune) Arrives at the convent, manipulates the abbess with tales of court intrigue, and learns of a boarder named Kitty, stirring her desire for vengeance. ### [Two Varieties of Demons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxii-two-varieties-of-demons) Meets Rochefort, reports on Buckingham's assassination and her encounter with Madame Bonacieux, and plans her next moves. ### [Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxv-judgment) The accused, confronted with her past crimes and condemned to death. ### [Execution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/chapters/lxvi-execution) The condemned woman, who pleads for her life, attempts bribery and escape, but is executed. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters/milady_de_winter - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_three_musketeers_se/characters