Twenty Years After · Chapter
Anne of Austria at the Age of Forty-Six explained
Mazarin visits Queen Anne in her private chambers, seeking to uncover her past allies and press her into political action.
What happens
Mazarin visits Queen Anne in her private chambers, seeking to uncover her past allies and press her into political action. Through a tense exchange, Anne defends her honor by revealing relics from her relationship with Buckingham, including letters and the knife used in his assassination. Mazarin, aiming to consolidate power against the nobility, urges her to recall the loyal servants who once aided her against Richelieu, specifically naming d'Artagnan. The chapter also introduces the young Louis XIV, who shows early signs of defiance toward Mazarin.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Corruption
Mazarin manipulates the queen through interrogation and political pressure, revealing the corrupt dynamics of court power.
Honor and Duty
Anne defends her honor by swearing on sacred relics, and recalls the duty of loyal servants like d'Artagnan who risked their lives for her.
Class and Ambition
Mazarin's ambition to control the nobility and the queen's past alliances highlight class struggles and personal ambition at court.
Characters to notice
- Mazarin
Visits the queen through a secret passage, interrogates her about past loyalties, and reveals his political anxieties about the nobility.
- Anne of Austria
Defends her honor by showing Mazarin the relics of Buckingham, including letters and the assassination knife, and recalls d'Artagnan's service.
- Louis XIV
The young king shows resentment toward Mazarin, refuses to kiss his mother goodnight, and displays early signs of independence.
- D'Artagnan
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.
- Laporte
Summoned to take the king to bed; previously delivered a warning letter to Buckingham.
- Bernouin
Mazarin's valet, lights the way through the secret corridor and is entrusted with the queen's secrets.
- Madame de Beauvais
Prepares the queen for Mazarin's visit and is privy to the secret passage.
- Buckingham
Referenced through the relics: the knife used in his assassination and the letters he received from the queen.
Key passages
“I wish, in fact, that you should now do for your husband what you formerly did for your lover.”
Mazarin urges the queen to use her past allies for the benefit of her husband, King Louis XIII, just as she once did for her lover Buckingham.
Mazarin pressures Anne to leverage her old loyalists for current political gain.
“I swear, by these sacred relics that Buckingham was not my lover.”
Anne swears on the relics of Buckingham, including the assassination knife and her letters, to prove her innocence.
The queen defends her honor by presenting physical evidence of her fidelity.
“Give it back to him, sir, and since you have such a man in your service, make him useful.”
Anne tells Mazarin to return the diamond to d'Artagnan and to employ him wisely.
The queen acknowledges d'Artagnan's past service and recommends him to Mazarin.
