Bidspirit auction | COUNT D´´ ARTAGNAN: (1640-1725)

COUNT D´´ ARTAGNAN: (1640-1725) - COUNT D´ARTAGNAN: (1640-1725) Pierre de Montesquiou d´Artagnan. Count d´Artagnan, and later Count de Montesquiou. Marshal of France. First cousin of Alexandre Dumas´ romances hero D´Artagnan, whose real name was Charles de Batz de Castelmore, and to whom he lent one of his titles, Count of D´Artagnan. Pierre de Montesquiou d´Artagnan also served as musketeer, for twenty-three years, in the Gardes Françaises, before being promoted to Marshal of France. He is credited for winning the battle of Denain, which saved the French military in its fight against the coalition led by the Duke of Marlborough. A very rare A.L.S., ` Artaignan´, one page, 4to, at the Camp of Courtrai, West Flanders (today´s Belgium), 12th October [1692], to M. de Sainte-Ferre, in French. The present letter is written at the height of the war of the Augsburg Ligue, 1688-1697, which pitted a coalition composed of England, the Holy Empire and Spain against France. Count d´Artagnan states in part ` J´ai reçu Monsieur, celle que vous m´avez fait l´honneur de m´écrire au sujet du gouvernement de Fougères. J´en ai parlé aussitôt à M. le maréchal de Boufflers qui était ici, lequel m´assura qu´il en écrirait au Roi...´ (Translation: ” I received, Sir, the one you did me the honour of writing to me about the government of Fougères. I spoke about it immediately to Marshal de Boufflers who was here, and who assured me that he would write to the King about it...”) D´Artagnan refers to the King Louis XIV of France. Further granting his correspondent that he will report on his favour, saying ` Il ne tiendra pas à mes sollicitations que vous ne soyez pas content, et par justice et inclination, je m´empresse à rendre témoignage de vos services et de votre mérite...´ (Translation: ” It will not be due to my solicitations that you are not satisfied, and out of justice and inclination, I hasten to bear witness to your services and your merit...”) With address leaf in D´artagnan´s hand, bearing an attractive crowned red wax seal in very fine condition. About VG Pierre de Montesquiou d´Artagnan was the son of Henri I de Montesquiou, seigneur d'Artagnan, whose sister Françoise de Montesquiou, was the mother of the legendary D´Artagnan that Dumas père gave popularity after his 1844 novel The Three Musketeers. Dumas´musketeer left little trace of his lifetime, while his cousin, Pierre de Montesquiou, Count D´Artagnan, was a renowned military officer, appointed Marshal of France. He leaded military regiments in eighteen battles, including Flerus and Steinkerque, and twenty-one sieges, including Mons and Namur. At the end of his lengthy military career he was appointed Governor of Bretagne (Brittany) in 1716 and of the Languedoc in 1721. Louis-François de Boufflers (1644-1711) known in his lifetime as Chevalier Boufflers. Marshal of France. A prominent French soldier during the reign of Louis XIV. He was famed for his excellent defensive leadership during the sieges of Namur and Lille.