The Vicomte de Bragelonne · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter contains the endnotes for the book, providing translations, historical corrections, and clarifications on various passages.
What happens
This chapter contains the endnotes for the book, providing translations, historical corrections, and clarifications on various passages. It includes notes on wordplay, mistranslations, historical inaccuracies, and references to events and characters such as Marie de Mancini, Anne of Austria, Madame de Montespan, De Guiche, and the Chevalier de Lorraine. The notes also correct Dumas's chronology and mention the fates of several characters.
Themes in this chapter
Court Intrigue and Deception
Endnotes clarify historical inaccuracies and political maneuvers, such as the king's abandonment of Marie de Mancini and the poisoning of Madame.
Fate and Tragedy
Notes on the fates of characters like Anne of Austria's death, Madame de Montespan's rise, and the deaths of the four valiant men underscore the tragic outcomes.
Characters to notice
- D'Artagnan
Referenced in the note about the chapter title combining chapters as 'D’Artagnan Calls de Wardes to Account.'
- De Wardes
Mentioned in the note about the chapter title 'D’Artagnan Calls de Wardes to Account.'
- Marie de Mancini
Noted as a former love of the king whom he abandoned for political advantage.
- Anne of Austria
Historical note correcting that she did not die until 1666, while Dumas sets the current year as 1665.
- Madame de Montespan
Noted as the one who would oust Louise from the king's affections by 1667.
- De Guiche
Noted that he would not return to court until 1671.
- Le Chevalier de Lorraine
Mentioned in the note about Madame dying of poison in 1670; the Chevalier had been ordered out of France in 1662.
- Louise de La Vallière
Implied reference as the one from whom Madame de Montespan would oust the king's affections.
Key passages
“This is quite untranslatable—it being a play upon the words pécheur (with a grave over the first e), a sinner, and pêcheur (with an accent circumflex over the first e), a fisherman.”
The wordplay between 'sinner' and 'fisherman' cannot be translated.
Clarifies a pun in the original French.
“Dumas is mistaken. The events in the following chapters occurred in 1661.”
Dumas made a chronological error; the events actually took place in 1661.
Corrects a historical inaccuracy.
“Anne of Austria did not die until 1666, and Dumas sets the current year as 1665.”
Anne of Austria died in 1666, but Dumas places the story in 1665.
Points out a discrepancy in the timeline.
“Madame de Montespan would oust Louise from the king’s affections by 1667.”
Madame de Montespan replaced Louise as the king's favorite by 1667.
Foretells the historical outcome of the love triangle.
“Madame did die of poison in 1670, shortly after returning from the mission described later.”
Madame Henrietta was poisoned in 1670, soon after the mission mentioned later in the book.
Provides historical context for her death.
