Twenty Years After · Character

Beaufort

A prince of the blood imprisoned at Vincennes, too proud to plot and too beloved to be forgotten, whose very name unsettles the queen.

supporting

Also known as Monsieur de Beaufort, Duc de Beaufort, Duke de Beaufort

First appearance: The Duc de Beaufort

As a supporting figure in Twenty Years After, Beaufort is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as a prisoner at Vincennes; Rochefort refuses to guard him due to friendship.

In the storyDead AnimositiesOpen this moment free

See Beaufort in Dead Animosities Book page

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Beaufort is the grandson of Henry IV, as brave and as Gascon as his grandfather and considerably less clever, which is precisely what makes him dangerous. He passes his captivity composing curses on Mazarin and failing to write verses, while outside the walls his popularity grows into a legend the court cannot control. His escape — or the fear of it — is the engine that drives Mazarin to recall d'Artagnan, and his eventual emergence as a Frondeur leader turns private resentment into public war.

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See Beaufort in The Duc de Beaufort

Character Web

40 connections

A slice of how Beaufort sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Frondeurs and Royal Court
Servants and Loyalists
Supporting Characters and Historical Figures
Protagonist

+35 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and political reversal of Madame de Longueville…

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Relationships

La Ramée
rivalry · negative
Beaufort is imprisoned by La Ramée, who acts as his jailer, creating a tense dynamic of… How this plays out →
Athos
friendship · positive
Grimaud
friendship · positive
La Ramée
rivalry · negative
Beaufort is imprisoned by La Ramée, who acts as his jailer, creating a tense dynamic of… How this plays out →
Athos
friendship · positive
Grimaud
friendship · positive
Athos
friendship · positive
La Ramée
rivalry · negative
Beaufort is imprisoned by La Ramée, who acts as his jailer, creating a tense dynamic of… How this plays out →

La Ramée
Beaufort is imprisoned by La Ramée, who acts as his jailer, creating a tense dynamic of captivity and attempted escape.
Athos
Athos helps the Duke of Beaufort escape from prison, forging a bond of mutual respect and shared royalist goals.
Grimaud
Grimaud aids Beaufort's escape, and the duke comes to trust and rely on the silent servant's resourcefulness.
La Ramée
Beaufort is imprisoned by La Ramée, who acts as his jailer, creating a tense dynamic of captivity and attempted escape.
Athos
Athos helps the Duke of Beaufort escape from prison, forging a bond of mutual respect and shared royalist goals.
Grimaud
Grimaud aids Beaufort's escape, and the duke comes to trust and rely on the silent servant's resourcefulness.
Athos
Athos helps the Duke of Beaufort escape from prison, forging a bond of mutual respect and shared royalist goals.
La Ramée
Beaufort is imprisoned by La Ramée, who acts as his jailer, creating a tense dynamic of captivity and attempted escape.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Beaufort in The Duc de Beaufort

In the story

Beaufort appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Dead Animosities
Mentioned as a prisoner at Vincennes; Rochefort refuses to guard him due to friendship.
The Duc de Beaufort
The imprisoned Duc de Beaufort is the subject of the prophecy and Mazarin's fears; he is described as playing, drinking, and vowing revenge against Mazarin.
Describes How the Duc de Beaufort Amused His Leisure Hours in the Donjon of Vincennes
The imprisoned duke, grandson of Henry IV, who amuses himself by drawing satirical portraits of Mazarin and training his dog Pistache to perform mocking tricks.
Grimaud Begins His Functions
Prisoner at Vincennes; initially hostile to Grimaud but later trusts him after receiving the escape note.
In Which the Contents of the Pâtés Made by the Successor of Father Marteau Are Described
The imprisoned Duc de Beaufort receives a secret message from Rochefort and conspires to escape using a pâté.
One of Marie Michon's Adventures
Mentioned as forming projects with Grimaud.
One of the Forty Methods of Escape of the Duc de Beaufort
The prisoner, eager for escape and vengeance against Chavigny and Mazarin; he orchestrates the escape with Grimaud's help.
The Timely Arrival of d’Artagnan in Paris
Escapes from the donjon of Vincennes, prompting the pursuit by d'Artagnan and Porthos.
An Adventure on the High Road
The escaped duke being pursued; his escape from Vincennes is the object of the chase.
XXVI: The Rencontre
Leads the troop that surrounds D'Artagnan and Porthos, grants them freedom at Athos's request, and sends a letter praising their valor to Mazarin.
The Tower of St. Jacques de la Boucherie
Mentioned as being in Vendôme, waiting to be summoned to Paris to lead the revolt.
The Three Lieutenants of the Generalissimo
Expresses discontent with his party, but welcomes Athos and Aramis warmly, recalling their past service.
The Battle of Charenton
The Duc de Beaufort is present as a Frondeur leader, drawing his sword when the truce breaks.
The Road to Picardy
Mentioned as having pillaged Mazarin's house to give the populace something to gnaw at.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Beaufort unlock in the free preview.

See Beaufort in The Duc de Beaufort

See Beaufort in Dead Animosities