# D'Artagnan — Twenty Years After character guide

> D'Artagnan in Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** d'Artagnan, Monsieur d'Artagnan, Chevalier d'Artagnan

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-ghost-of-cardinal-richelieu

## Snapshot

The Gascon lieutenant who once stormed Paris with three friends now finds himself summoned by queens and cardinals, hunting the musketeers he lost to time.

## Who they are

Twenty years have made d'Artagnan a lieutenant of musketeers and a man who answers a queen's summons with a soldier's obedience rather than a youth's ardor. When both Anne of Austria and Mazarin call on him in the same hour, he smells a snare and trusts his Gascon instinct to scent it out. His search for Athos, Porthos, and Aramis is the engine that reassembles the four friends and reopens the age of intrigue.

## In the story

### [The Ghost of Cardinal Richelieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/i-the-ghost-of-cardinal-richelieu)

The lieutenant of musketeers is summoned by Mazarin and agrees to escort him on a night inspection of the outposts.

### [A Nightly Patrol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/ii-a-nightly-patrol)

Leads the patrol with calm authority, impressing Mazarin with his composure and soldierly demeanor.

### [Dead Animosities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/iii-dead-animosities)

Escorts Rochefort to Mazarin; renews friendship with Rochefort and makes a pact of mutual assistance.

### [Anne of Austria at the Age of Forty-Six](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/iv-anne-of-austria-at-the-age-of-forty-six)

Mentioned by Mazarin and the queen as a loyal servant who saved her honor; the queen reveals he sold a diamond to fund a warning to Buckingham.

### [The Gascon and the Italian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/v-the-gascon-and-the-italian)

Awakened by Mazarin, he is offered a secret mission and tasked with reuniting his three former friends. He accepts the commission but is wary of Mazarin's stinginess.

### [VI: D'Artagnan in His Fortieth Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/vi-d-artagnan-in-his-fortieth-year)

Now in his fortieth year, D'Artagnan feels isolated after his friends have left him. He has become a typical soldier, focused on material comforts, and is involved with a Flemish innkeeper. He returns from the Franche-Comté expedition after being wounded and presumed dead.

### [VII: Touches Upon the Strange Effects a Half-Pistole May Have Upon a Beadle and a Chorister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/vii-touches-upon-the-strange-effects-a-half-pistole-may-have-upon-a-beadle-and-a-chorister)

Seeks news of Aramis; uses bribery and surveillance to track Bazin.

### [How d'Artagnan, on Going to a Distance to Discover Aramis, Discovers His Old Friend on Horseback Behind His Own Planchet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/viii-how-d-artagnan-on-going-to-a-distance-to-discover-aramis-discovers-his-old-friend-on-horseback-behind-his-own-planchet)

Travels to Noisy to find Aramis, confronts an ambush, and reunites with his old friend.

### [The Abbé d’Herblay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/ix-the-abb-d-herblay)

Visits Aramis to sound him out about political allegiances and reminisce about their past.

### [X: Monsieur Porthos du Vallon de Bracieux de Pierrefonds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/x-monsieur-porthos-du-vallon-de-bracieux-de-pierrefonds)

Sets out to find Porthos, reflecting on his own disillusions and the contrast with Porthos's apparent happiness.

### [XI: How d'Artagnan, in Discovering the Retreat of Porthos, Perceives That Wealth Does Not Necessarily Produce Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xi-how-d-artagnan-in-discovering-the-retreat-of-porthos-perceives-that-wealth-does-not-necessarily-produce-happiness)

Visits Porthos to recruit him for Cardinal Mazarin's service, promising a barony.

### [In Which It Is Shown That if Porthos Was Discontented with His Condition, Mousqueton Was Completely Satisfied with His](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xii-in-which-it-is-shown-that-if-porthos-was-discontented-with-his-condition-mousqueton-was-completely-satisfied-with-his)

Reflects on human discontent and feels remorse for involving Porthos and Mousqueton in his schemes.

### [Two Angelic Faces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xiii-two-angelic-faces)

Travels to Blois with Planchet, anxious about seeing Athos again; deeply moved by the reunion.

### [The Castle of Bragelonne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xiv-the-castle-of-bragelonne)

Visits Athos at Bragelonne, astonished by the changes in his friend and the estate.

### [XV: Athos as a Diplomatist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xv-athos-as-a-diplomatist)

Lies awake thinking about Athos's changes and his mission; observes Raoul's secret ride; attempts to recruit Athos for Mazarin but is rebuffed; receives orders to return to Paris.

### [The Duc de Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xvi-the-duc-de-beaufort)

Not present in the chapter but is the recipient of Mazarin's letter, summoned to return to Paris due to the cardinal's concerns.

### [The Timely Arrival of d’Artagnan in Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxiv-the-timely-arrival-of-d-artagnan-in-paris)

Arrives in Paris from Blois, meets Porthos, and negotiates with Mazarin for a captaincy.

### [An Adventure on the High Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxv-an-adventure-on-the-high-road)

Leads the pursuit of the Duc de Beaufort, using the king's order and force to commandeer horses and extract information from the sergeant.

### [XXVI: The Rencontre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxvi-the-rencontre)

Leads the pursuit of Beaufort, fights fiercely, and reluctantly agrees to a conference with Athos and Aramis.

### [The Four Old Friends Prepare to Meet Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxvii-the-four-old-friends-prepare-to-meet-again)

Returns from the Palais Royal after meeting Mazarin; discusses compensation for horses and expresses distrust of Athos and Aramis.

### [XXVIII: The Place Royale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxviii-the-place-royale)

Confronts Athos and Aramis about their deceptions, but ultimately embraces the renewed friendship.

### [A Dinner in the Old Style](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxv-a-dinner-in-the-old-style)

Arrives from guard duty at the Louvre, jokes about Mazarin, reveals he was tasked by Mazarin to find those who helped Beaufort escape.

### [How, Sometimes, the Unhappy Mistake Chance for Providence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxix-how-sometimes-the-unhappy-mistake-chance-for-providence)

Mentioned as a friend of Athos; de Winter notes he cannot be counted on.

### [Paternal Affection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xli-paternal-affection)

Mentioned as serving Mazarin due to his need for income; Athos notes he is a loyal friend but politically aligned with the cardinal.

### [XLII: Another Queen in Want of Help](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlii-another-queen-in-want-of-help)

Sends money and a letter to Athos and Aramis, expressing affection and support.

### [Te Deum for the Victory of Lens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xliv-te-deum-for-the-victory-of-lens)

Acts as Raoul's guardian in Athos's absence, instructs him to become a Frondist, and later leads the musketeers in controlling the mob during Broussel's arrest.

### [The Beggar of St. Eustache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlv-the-beggar-of-st-eustache)

Presented to Queen Anne of Austria and thanked for his service in the morning's events.

### [The Tower of St. Jacques de la Boucherie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlvi-the-tower-of-st-jacques-de-la-boucherie)

Mentioned as Planchet's former master and a Mazarinist lieutenant of Musketeers.

### [The Riot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlvii-the-riot)

Reports to Mazarin with Porthos, showing bullet holes in his cloak.

### [XLVIII: The Riot Becomes a Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlviii-the-riot-becomes-a-revolution)

Observes the queen's confrontation from a hidden closet, ready to intervene.

### [XLIX: Misfortune Refreshes the Memory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xlix-misfortune-refreshes-the-memory)

Profits from the calm to send Raoul away to the army, and is remembered by the queen as the man who saved her, leading her to write to him.

### [The Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/l-the-interview)

Summoned by both the queen and Cardinal Mazarin; shrewdly navigates conflicting loyalties.

### [The Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/li-the-flight)

Leads the escape plan, showing coolness and cunning; negotiates with Mazarin and the queen, and deceives patrols.

### [The Carriage of Monsieur le Coadjuteur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lii-the-carriage-of-monsieur-le-coadjuteur)

Commandeers the Coadjuteur's carriage, impersonates the coachman, and drives the royal family to safety.

### [How d’Artagnan and Porthos Earned by Selling Straw, the One Two Hundred and Nineteen, and the Other Two Hundred and Fifteen Louis d’Or](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/liii-how-d-artagnan-and-porthos-earned-by-selling-straw-the-one-two-hundred-and-nineteen-and-the-other-two-hundred-and-fifteen-louis-d-or)

Rides ahead to Saint Germain, profits from selling straw, and is summoned by Mazarin for a mission to England.

### [In Which We Hear Tidings of Aramis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/liv-in-which-we-hear-tidings-of-aramis)

Comforts Raoul with a false story about Athos and Aramis; meets Mordaunt and learns his mission is to deliver a letter to Cromwell; returns to Paris and receives a letter from Athos.

### [The Avenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lvi-the-avenger)

Infiltrates enemy ranks; captures Athos to protect him; warns against recognizing Mordaunt.

### [Oliver Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lvii-oliver-cromwell)

Mentioned as one of the French prisoners; he and Porthos are the object of Mordaunt's request.

### [LVIII: Jésus Seigneur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lviii-j-sus-seigneur)

Devises a cunning plan to free Athos and Aramis, using wit and a staged horse fit to create a diversion.

### [In Which It Is Shown That Under the Most Trying Circumstances Noble Natures Never Lose Their Courage, nor Good Stomachs Their Appetites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lix-in-which-it-is-shown-that-under-the-most-trying-circumstances-noble-natures-never-lose-their-courage-nor-good-stomachs-their-appetites)

Argues pragmatically for returning to France, but ultimately yields to Athos's resolve, showing his loyalty and fiery spirit.

### [LX: Respect to Fallen Majesty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lx-respect-to-fallen-majesty)

Leads the group to join the king's escort, devises the plan to pass as prisoners, and cleverly relays news of the wounded man's survival to the king.

### [LXI: D’Artagnan Hits on a Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxi-d-artagnan-hits-on-a-plan)

Devises a plan to rescue King Charles I by befriending Captain Groslow and arranging a card game as a distraction.

### [London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxii-london)

Leads the group to London, proposes returning to France but agrees to stay; arranges disguises and suggests killing Mordaunt.

### [LXIII: The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxiii-the-trial)

Observes the trial with concern, orchestrates the escape from Mordaunt's attack, and leads the punishment of the butcher, declaring his full commitment to the king.

### [LXIV: Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxiv-whitehall)

Swears to prevent the execution by making the executioner disappear.

### [LXV: The Workmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxv-the-workmen)

Changes out of workman's clothes into his chestnut-colored suit; tasked with guarding the executioner and devising audacious plans.

### [Remember!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxvi-remember)

Seen among the spectators in the square.

### [The Man in the Mask](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxvii-the-man-in-the-mask)

Followed the masked executioner after the execution; set Grimaud and Parry's brother to watch the house, and now leads the friends to confront him.

### [Cromwell's House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxviii-cromwell-s-house)

Leads the ambush on Mordaunt, calmly orchestrating the capture.

### [Conversational](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxix-conversational)

Leads the confrontation with Mordaunt, engages in verbal jousting, and is chosen by lot to duel him.

### [The Skiff Lightning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxx-the-skiff-lightning)

Leads the group onto the Lightning, conducts a search of the ship, then settles to sleep.

### [End of the Port Wine Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxii-end-of-the-port-wine-mystery)

Leads the escape plan, urging his friends to abandon the felucca.

### [LXXIII: Fatality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxiii-fatality)

Refuses to save Mordaunt, threatens him with an oar, and later expresses relief at his death.

### [How Mousqueton, After Being Very Nearly Roasted, Had a Narrow Escape of Being Eaten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxiv-how-mousqueton-after-being-very-nearly-roasted-had-a-narrow-escape-of-being-eaten)

Leads the group after landing, proposes separation to avoid Mazarin's wrath, and reassures Porthos of their plan.

### [The Battle of Charenton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-battle-of-charenton)

D'Artagnan is absent; the Duc de Châtillon reports he left Paris six weeks ago on a mission to England and has not returned.

### [The Road to Picardy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxix-the-road-to-picardy)

The subject of the search; leaves a trail of messages indicating he and Porthos were pursued and arrested.

### [LXXX: The Gratitude of Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxx-the-gratitude-of-anne-of-austria)

One of Athos's imprisoned friends; his disappearance is the subject of Athos's plea.

### [Cardinal Mazarin as King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxi-cardinal-mazarin-as-king)

D'Artagnan is referenced as the third musketeer Mazarin plans to imprison at Rueil.

### [Precautions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxii-precautions)

Imprisoned in the hunting lodge opposite the orangery; described as having been 'anathematizing' Mazarin but now calm and singing Gascon songs.

### [LXXXIII: Strength and Sagacity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxiii-strength-and-sagacity)

Imprisoned with Porthos, he paces and strategizes, feigning resignation to Comminges while secretly planning escape.

### [Strength and Sagacity—Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxiv-strength-and-sagacity-continued)

Leads the escape plan with cunning and strategy, directing Porthos and executing the capture of the guards.

### [LXXXV: The Oubliettes of Cardinal Mazarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxv-the-oubliettes-of-cardinal-mazarin)

Leads the pursuit of Mazarin through the orangery, discovers the hidden treasury, and confronts the cardinal with a mix of wit and menace.

### [LXXXVI: Conferences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxvi-conferences)

D'Artagnan leads the escape, forcing Mazarin to guide them to the wall and revealing his knowledge of the cardinal's hidden treasure.

### [In Which We Begin to Think That Porthos Will Be at Last a Baron, and d’Artagnan a Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxvii-in-which-we-begin-to-think-that-porthos-will-be-at-last-a-baron-and-d-artagnan-a-captain)

Leads the group's strategy; proposes taking Mazarin to Pierrefonds; demands a captaincy in the Musketeers as his condition.

### [LXXXVIII: Shows How with Threat and Pen More Is Effected Than by the Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxviii-shows-how-with-threat-and-pen-more-is-effected-than-by-the-sword)

Takes charge of the mission to negotiate with the queen, securing promises from his friends and traveling alone to Saint Germain.

### [In Which It Is Shown That It Is Sometimes More Difficult for Kings to Return to the Capitals of Their Kingdoms, Than to Make an Exit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxxix-in-which-it-is-shown-that-it-is-sometimes-more-difficult-for-kings-to-return-to-the-capitals-of-their-kingdoms-than-to-make-an-exit)

Guards the king's side of the carriage during the royal entry into Paris and kills an insurgent leader in the skirmish.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xc-conclusion)

Becomes captain of the Musketeers, prepares for the Flanders campaign.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/d_artagnan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters