Louis XIV Court Characters

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