Twenty Years After · Character

Grimaud

Athos's taciturn servant, whose few words carry the weight of twenty years of secrets, and whose silence guards his master's life.

supporting

Also known as Monsieur Grimaud

First appearance: i the ghost of cardinal richelieu

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

Mentioned as absent from the château at the time of d'Artagnan's visit.

In the storyTwo Angelic FacesOpen this moment free

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Grimaud has spent decades as Athos's shadow, a man so sparing with speech that his rare utterances land like verdicts. When he recognizes the dying executioner of Bethune, the past he helped bury — Milady's death and the judges who condemned her — resurfaces with a vengeance he alone witnesses. His urgent ride to warn Athos and his friends makes him the quiet hinge on which the coming pursuit of Mordaunt turns.

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See Grimaud in i the ghost of cardinal richelieu

Character Web

35 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Frondeurs and Royal Court
French Nobility and Commanders
Protagonist

+30 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

Athos
professional · positive
Grimaud is Athos's silent, loyal servant, communicating through gestures and obeying… How this plays out →
Beaufort
friendship · positive
Athos
professional · positive
Grimaud is Athos's silent, loyal servant, communicating through gestures and obeying… How this plays out →
Beaufort
friendship · positive
Athos
professional · positive
Grimaud is Athos's silent, loyal servant, communicating through gestures and obeying… How this plays out →

Athos
Grimaud is Athos's silent, loyal servant, communicating through gestures and obeying without question.
Beaufort
Grimaud aids Beaufort's escape, and the duke comes to trust and rely on the silent servant's resourcefulness.
Athos
Grimaud is Athos's silent, loyal servant, communicating through gestures and obeying without question.
Beaufort
Grimaud aids Beaufort's escape, and the duke comes to trust and rely on the silent servant's resourcefulness.
Athos
Grimaud is Athos's silent, loyal servant, communicating through gestures and obeying without question.

Relationship notes

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

See Grimaud in i the ghost of cardinal richelieu

In the story

Grimaud appears across 30 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Two Angelic Faces
Mentioned as absent from the château at the time of d'Artagnan's visit.
The Duc de Beaufort
Introduced as a silent and severe deputy guard placed by La Ramée, Grimaud is said to be recommended by the steward of the Duc de Grammont and is trusted to keep a strict watch.
Describes How the Duc de Beaufort Amused His Leisure Hours in the Donjon of Vincennes
Mentioned as a potential substitute for La Ramée, having become more silent with age despite Athos's permission to speak.
Grimaud Begins His Functions
Hired as a keeper at Vincennes; secretly aids the Duke de Beaufort's escape by delivering a note from Madame de Montbazon and planning a signal.
In Which the Contents of the Pâtés Made by the Successor of Father Marteau Are Described
Serves as a silent intermediary, dictating a note for Beaufort and revealing the contents of the pâté.
One of Marie Michon's Adventures
Mentioned as being involved in projects with the Duc de Beaufort.
One of the Forty Methods of Escape of the Duc de Beaufort
The sullen servant who assists Beaufort; he gags La Ramée, descends first on the cord, and is injured when the cord breaks.
XXVI: The Rencontre
Brings horses from Athos to D'Artagnan and Porthos, then helps the wounded Mousqueton.
XXX: Skirmishing
Left behind at Ablain; a statement of the route is left for him; does not appear in the chapter.
XXXI: The Monk
Mentioned as one of the valets supporting the wounded man.
Grimaud Speaks
Left alone with the dying executioner, learns the monk is Milady's son, and urgently departs to warn Athos.
A Dinner in the Old Style
Brings news of a mysterious monk who visited the dying man and met Raoul.
Paternal Affection
Leads the escort for Lord de Winter; bears a torch and musket; observes a suspicious shadow near the Rue Guénégaud.
In Which It Is Proved That First Impulses Are Oftentimes the Best
Recognized by his long legs and determined slouch; recalls the past when passing the inn with the sausage cellar.
LV: The Scotchman
Holds horses ready for the escape.
LXI: D’Artagnan Hits on a Plan
Lies on a truss of straw across the doorway to guard the friends' lodging.
The Man in the Mask
Stationed at the back of the house; reports that a second man has entered and points out a lighted window.
Cromwell's House
Scouts Mordaunt's movements from outside the house, reporting to the musketeers.
LXXI: Port Wine
Laconic and resourceful; enters the hold to fetch wine but discovers gunpowder and overhears the assassination plot.
End of the Port Wine Mystery
Discovers the gunpowder in the casks and reports to d'Artagnan.
LXXIII: Fatality
Shouts with joy when Athos resurfaces and is lifted into the boat.
How Mousqueton, After Being Very Nearly Roasted, Had a Narrow Escape of Being Eaten
Remains silent during the jokes, later tenders twenty guineas to the captain of the rescue craft.
The Return
Accompanies Athos and Aramis; is honored when Planchet presses his hand.
The Ambassadors
Accompanies Athos and Aramis after they leave the Louvre.
The Three Lieutenants of the Generalissimo
Briefly alerts Athos and Aramis to Planchet's presence.
The Road to Picardy
Assists Athos and Aramis in turning over the stone to reveal a message.
Precautions
Falls back into the ranks near Aramis after Athos's arrest; remains silent and untroubled due to long experience.
Strength and Sagacity—Continued
Not directly present but implied as part of the group d'Artagnan hopes to reach.
LXXXVI: Conferences
Grimaud is posted by Aramis to guard the horses and informs the group of Aramis's presence with sixty men.
In Which We Begin to Think That Porthos Will Be at Last a Baron, and d’Artagnan a Captain
Sent to Dammartin to procure fresh horses for the group; acts as a messenger and aide.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Grimaud in i the ghost of cardinal richelieu

See Grimaud in Two Angelic Faces