Louis XIV Court Characters

Moderate Aktualizováno: 2025-07-06

Research Status: Moderate Last Updated: 2025-07-06 Diary Coverage: Up to 1874-04-28

Identity

Historical figures from the court of Louis XIV that Marie uses to name her planned dogs at Villa 55.

Diary References

1874

April 28: Plans future dog court with names from Louis XIV era:

- Athos & d'Artagnan: Saint Bernards/Newfoundlands (Musketeers) - Fouquet: Poodle (disgraced finance minister) - Colbert: Bulldog (powerful minister) - La Vallière: Greyhound (royal mistress) - Malicorne: Street dog (character from Dumas) - Madame: Future pretty dog (title for king's sister-in-law)

Historical Figures

Nicolas Fouquet (1615-1680)

Superintendent of Finances
Built Vaux-le-Vicomte
Arrested by Louis XIV 1661
Died in prison

Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683)

Controller-General of Finances
Fouquet's rival and successor
Powerful minister under Louis XIV

Louise de La Vallière (1644-1710)

Louis XIV's mistress 1661-1667
Duchess, later Carmelite nun
Gentle, retiring character

Literary Characters

Athos & d'Artagnan: From Dumas' Three Musketeers
Malicorne: Minor character in Dumas novels

Context

Shows Marie's historical knowledge
Reveals reading of Dumas (cf. Bragelonne)
Dog names reflect character traits
Imagines Villa 55 as royal court

Research Notes

Louis XIV court culture
Dumas' influence on 19th century
Dog breeding preferences 1870s