The Real Three Musketeers

In the “The Three Musketeers” Alexandre Dumas and his co-author Auguste Maquet take the reader to 17th century France to witness the adventures of the four brothers in arms. However, the romantic tales and adventures of the swashbuckler of Dumas’ novel shatter into pieces stand in stark when contrasted to the harsh and brutal reality of the Musketeers of the King’s Guard. This video is part of the history collaboration project France and sets out on the tracks of the real musketeers. It explains how modern historiography characterizes both, the corresponding historical characters, and the Musketeers of the Guard as a military unit.

If you like to buy the books by Alexandre Dumas, consider doing it via our affiliate link:

Our reading list on military history:

 #projectfrance #history #education

Literature:
Bertière, S., Dumas et les « Mousquetaires ». Histoire d'un chef-d'œuvre, Paris, 2009.
Bordaz, O., D'Artagnan et les mousquetaires du roi (1622–1775) (Histoire & documents), Baixas 2018.
Chartrand, R., French Musketeer 1622-1775, Oxford 2013.
Drévillon, H., Les Vrais Mousquetaires, Lecture at a conference in the Musée des Armes on 28 March 2014.
Renaudau, O. (Ed.), Mousquetaires!, Paris 2014.
Masson, R., Les mousquetaires ou la violence d'État (Le temps de la guerre), Paris 2013.
Rivault, C., A MOI MOUSQUETAIRES! LA GARDE DU ROI (1622-1815), Pau 2016.
Wilmart, J., Des chevaux et des mousquetaires dans le Paris des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, in: Histoire urbaine 44 (2015), S. 21–40.

[SandRhomanHistory]

Here are the links to the novels if you like to read them yourselves

(full disclosure: these are affiliate links)

[skiteufr]

For us Frenchmen, it is sometimes painful to pronounce the endless names of our nobles, i can't imagine for a non-French speaker 😂

[kairosquerencia]

The real history of the the Musketeer's is much more impressive than the usual romatic portrayal. Beautifully put together.

[demilung]

It's not fully historically accurate and is romanticised, but the novel did inspire comradely and bravery in generations of young boys, and many good sticks were destroyed in fencing duels

[Perichoresis]

As an American, it’s a real treat to hear excellent summary of this unit, and to learn more about France’s amazing history. Well done, and thank you!

[SusCalvin]

A lot of guard units around Europe have the same recruitment basis. You pick the scions of the lower nobility, people who have time and conviction fitting to a life guard unit or household troops. But not so high up that they might get ideas themselves. A few of these units also form a training ground for future officers in the royal army.

[lookwaticando]

“You seem to be quick with ur words, ”. “ I’m quicker with my sword “””. “Ah, a duel then??”

[chrisleonard]

A whole high quality French history project??? I happily accept this belated birthday gift 😁😁🇫🇷⚜️⚜️⚜️

[Marmocet]

As a kid, I could never understand why they were called "the three musketeers". I always thought they should have been called "the three swordsmen".

[greezythumb]

I grew up watching every Musketeer movie I could. The Musketeers series on BBC is the absolute best period based show I've ever seen. It's a shame it only lasted three seasons.

If you are a fan of Musketeers and haven't seen the BBC series, you are missing something great.

[sandydegener]

The Musketeers were like The Secret Sdrvice and Special Forces all rolled up into one.

[hulakan]

This reminds me, particularly the graphics, of a line from one of the popular 3 Musketeers movies (I don't recall which one -- somewhere in the 70's to the 90's.) The line went something like, "... the primary weapon of the musketeer: the sword!" I thought that was rather odd. One would have thought that the primary weapon of the musketeer would be the musket.

[jonathanrodey]

Oh how I love to immerse into these adventurous stories!

[skeptical-therorist]

The 6 books that tell the story of the musketeers written by Alexander Dumas are my favorite books… reread them all the time!

[StuartMcDermid]

This was excellent. You've earned a sub. :)
As an historical fencer though, I have to point this out.
See how the rapiers have complex hilts with rings and shells and bars and whatnot ahead of the quillions?
This is so that you can loop a finger over the cross which increases leverage and allows the weapon to point more naturally without canting the wrist.

[weqweqkweq]

Love that Skyrim references in 5:12
Overall nice video

[TheEvertw]

I love "the Three Musketeers"! I finished "twenty years after" yesterday. A bit of a slow starter, but it takes off at the half-way point.

[Miamcoline]

Well done! French and had no idea it was so close to true stories on the personal and political level! Crazy stuff and very interesting.

[padairua]

Oddly enough when I actually read the first novel after having seen the films, I thought it was closer to being a spy novel than a swashbuckling one

[steveclapper]

Dumas was a master of historical fiction. I loved reading him.