# Mazarin — Twenty Years After character guide

> Mazarin in Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Cardinal Mazarin, Monsieur Mazarin, Peter Mazarin

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

## Snapshot

The Italian cardinal who rules France in Anne's name cannot sleep for fear his most illustrious prisoner will escape Vincennes and come for him.

## Who they are

Mazarin governs through surveillance and suspicion, and his nights are haunted by the Duc de Beaufort, whom he has caged for years and now dreads even in dreams. He interrogates his jailer La Ramée about walls, bars, and tennis matches, betraying a miser's terror of losing his treasure. His fear of the prisoner he wronged drives the political tension that pulls the four musketeers back into the game.

## Relationships

### [Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/anne_of_austria)

_professional_

Anne relies on Mazarin as her chief minister and secret lover, but their relationship is one of political convenience and mutual dependence.

### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/athos)

_rivalry_

Athos opposes Mazarin's manipulative politics and represents the noble, royalist opposition to the cardinal's scheming.

### [Porthos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/porthos)

_professional_

Mazarin employs Porthos as a soldier and agent, valuing his strength but not his intellect.

### [Madame de Chevreuse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/madame_de_chevreuse)

_rivalry_

Madame de Chevreuse is a political enemy of Mazarin, constantly plotting against his influence and power.

### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/athos)

_rivalry_

Athos opposes Mazarin's manipulative politics and represents the noble, royalist opposition to the cardinal's scheming.

### [Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/anne_of_austria)

_professional_

Anne relies on Mazarin as her chief minister and secret lover, but their relationship is one of political convenience and mutual dependence.

### [Madame de Chevreuse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/madame_de_chevreuse)

_rivalry_

Madame de Chevreuse is a political enemy of Mazarin, constantly plotting against his influence and power.

### [Athos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/athos)

_rivalry_

Athos opposes Mazarin's manipulative politics and represents the noble, royalist opposition to the cardinal's scheming.

### [Porthos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/porthos)

_professional_

Mazarin employs Porthos as a soldier and agent, valuing his strength but not his intellect.

### [Anne of Austria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/anne_of_austria)

_professional_

Anne relies on Mazarin as her chief minister and secret lover, but their relationship is one of political convenience and mutual dependence.

### [Porthos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/characters/porthos)

_professional_

Mazarin employs Porthos as a soldier and agent, valuing his strength but not his intellect.

## 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 cardinal is alone and anxious, reflecting on the popular unrest and his precarious position as a foreign minister.

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

Leads the nightly patrol, questions Guitant about d'Artagnan and Rochefort, and gives d'Artagnan a secret order for the Bastille.

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

Interviews Rochefort; seeks loyal servants; shows interest in d'Artagnan after hearing Rochefort's story.

### [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)

Visits the queen through a secret passage, interrogates her about past loyalties, and reveals his political anxieties about the nobility.

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

The cardinal recruits d'Artagnan, using the queen's diamond as proof of trust, and provides a small bag of silver for expenses, revealing his cautious and parsimonious nature.

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

Discussed as an upstart and a tool of party, criticized by Aramis.

### [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)

The cardinal whom d'Artagnan represents; seeks to recruit Porthos.

### [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)

Addressed in d'Artagnan's letter reporting his progress.

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

Is the subject of d'Artagnan's recruitment attempt; Athos denounces him as a spiteful Italian and miser; sends d'Artagnan a letter ordering his return to Paris.

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

Superstitious and anxious, Mazarin overhears a prophecy about Beaufort's escape and interrogates La Ramée about security, ultimately writing to d'Artagnan for reinforcement.

### [Describes How the Duc de Beaufort Amused His Leisure Hours in the Donjon of Vincennes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xvii-describes-how-the-duc-de-beaufort-amused-his-leisure-hours-in-the-donjon-of-vincennes)

The cardinal is the target of Beaufort's ridicule, depicted in caricatures and satirized by the dog's performances.

### [In Which the Contents of the Pâtés Made by the Successor of Father Marteau Are Described](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xix-in-which-the-contents-of-the-p-t-s-made-by-the-successor-of-father-marteau-are-described)

Mentioned as the one who imprisoned Beaufort and as being superstitious about the prophecy of Beaufort's escape.

### [One of the Forty Methods of Escape of the Duc de Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxiii-one-of-the-forty-methods-of-escape-of-the-duc-de-beaufort)

The minister whom Beaufort execrates; his escape would be a blow to Mazarin.

### [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)

Receives d'Artagnan and Porthos, offers rewards, and is alarmed by news of Beaufort's escape.

### [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)

Receives d'Artagnan at the Palais Royal; compensates him for lost horses and expresses displeasure that Broussel survived.

### [A Letter from Charles the First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxvi-a-letter-from-charles-the-first)

The cardinal is discussed as the de facto ruler of France, whose support the queen hopes to gain but fears he will not act.

### [Cromwell's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxvii-cromwell-s-letter)

Receives Cromwell's letter and negotiates with Mordaunt; shows unease and cunning, seeking to maintain secrecy and avoid foreign entanglement.

### [Henrietta Maria and Mazarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/xxxviii-henrietta-maria-and-mazarin)

Receives Queen Henrietta Maria with feigned respect, but internally fears she will ask for money. He evades her requests for aid to Charles I, offering only empty counsel and refusing to commit.

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

Receives d'Artagnan and Porthos, promises rewards, and brings them to the queen.

### [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)

Target of the Fronde; Planchet and Rochefort discuss opposing him.

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

Terrified by the revolt, secures his valuables and summons d'Artagnan.

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

Urges the queen to sign Broussel's release, speaking in Spanish to calm her.

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

Cautious and calculating, he warns Anne of the dangers of civil war but reluctantly agrees to her plan, while continuing his correspondence with Cromwell.

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

Cardinal; attempts to send d'Artagnan on a mission but changes his mind after visiting the queen.

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

Frightened but determined to flee Paris; disguises as an officer and relies on d'Artagnan's protection.

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

Mentioned as the target of the mob's anger; his servant Bernouin assists d'Artagnan.

### [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)

Desires to set out for Saint Germain, accepts Laporte's place, and later dispatches d'Artagnan and Porthos to England.

### [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/lxxv-the-return)

Aramis suspects he saw Mazarin disguised among three travelers passing through the guard post.

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

Implied as the authority who may have ordered the arrest of d'Artagnan and Porthos; his house was pillaged by Beaufort.

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

Cardinal and minister who supports the queen's decision to arrest Athos.

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

Mazarin asserts his quasi-royal authority, manipulates Anne, and refuses to abdicate, planning to temporize and keep the musketeers imprisoned.

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

Orders Athos's imprisonment at Rueil; plans to visit Athos for a private conversation; refers to the prisoners as 'guests'.

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

Referenced as the cardinal who imprisoned them; d'Artagnan hopes to manipulate him through Comminges.

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

Mentioned as the cardinal whose guards attend him on his way to the orangery; his presence is central to the escape plan.

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

Caught off guard while visiting his treasury, he is terrified by the appearance of the two musketeers and forced to negotiate for his freedom.

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

Mazarin is a prisoner of Athos, d'Artagnan, and Porthos, attempting to negotiate his freedom by offering them a key to escape through the park.

### [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)

Captive of the four friends; negotiates from a position of weakness, listening to their conditions and trying to find a middle ground.

### [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)

Has been captured and is being held by the three musketeers; his letter is used by D'Artagnan to gain audience with the queen.

### [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)

Anxious about the Parisian crowd, he relies on Porthos for protection and is displeased by the hostile cries.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twenty_years_after_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced in the endnote about his secret marriage to Anne of Austria.

## Links

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