Final resting place of musketeer d’Artagnan may have been found
A centuries-old secret has been revealed buried below the collapsed floor of a European church – and it could confirm a legendary historical figure’s final resting place
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Tradies repairing a collapsed floor made a discovery that has excited historians — and may solve a centuries-old mystery.
He was a central figure of 17th-century France and immortalised* in a defining swashbuckler* novel, but now the remains of a renowned* musketeer* may finally have been found underneath the floor of a church in the Netherlands.
Workers repairing a section of collapsed floor in the Church of St Peter and Paul, in the Dutch city of Maastricht, uncovered a skeleton believed to be that of 17th-century nobleman Charles de Batz de Castelmore, better known as d’Artagnan, who was a close confidante* to France’s King Louis XIV and captain of the Musketeers of the Guard.
Born in southwestern France in 1611, d’Artagnan was killed in 1673 during the Siege of Maastricht as Louis XIV attempted to capture the city. Believed to have died after being hit by a musket ball*, the musketeer was later immortalised by French novelist Alexandre Dumas in the 1844 novel The Three Musketeers.
It was rumoured that d’Artagnan’s remains were located within the church, but no evidence had been found until now.
Church deacon* Jos Valke told the BBC there were several signs that the skeleton belonged to the king’s close associate.
“We became quite silent when we found the first bone,” he said.
“He was buried on sacred ground below where the altar was,” Deacon Valke said. “We found the bullet that put an end to his life, and we found a coin from 1660 in his grave, and it was from the bishop who attended mass for the Roi Soleil*.”
Deacon Valke then called upon the expertise of retired Maastrict archaeologist* Wim Dijkman, who has spent 28 years researching d’Artagnan’s final resting place. He told local broadcaster L1 Nieuws it was “an incredibly exciting story” but said he was “always very cautious (as) I’m a scientist”.
“All kinds of analyses and investigations are underway both domestically and abroad. It has truly turned into a top-level investigation,” Mr Dijkman said. “We want to be absolutely certain that it is d’Artagnan.”
A sample of the remains has been taken to Germany for analysis, while some of the bones have been transferred to the city of Deventer, two hours north of Maastricht, to determine whether the skeleton is male or female, where it came from and its age.
The three musketeers were fictionalised* characters who may have been inspired by the acts of three members of the real elite corps that provided protection for the king. In the novel, d’Artagnan is portrayed as a hot-headed young man who befriends the trio and becomes the story’s hero.
Dumas’ novel has been adapted into several live-action and animated feature films since its publication. D’Artagnan was even reimagined as a beagle in the 1980s animated seriesDogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, a joint Spanish-Japanese production that was later dubbed* into French, English and many other languages.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- immortalised: to make someone or something so famous that person or thing is remembered for a very long time
- swashbuckler: someone who enjoys and looks for dangerous and exciting experiences, especially someone in the past such as a pirate or other person who fights with a sword
- renowned: famous for something
- musketeer: a soldier who carried a musket, which was a type of gun with a long barrel
- dubbed: when the language on a soundtrack is changed for a different one
- confidante: someone to whom others confide by sharing feelings, secrets or plans
- musket ball: a type of bullet, a small, round projectile made of lead and shot from a musket
- archaeologist: scientist who specialises in the study of human history and prehistory by excavating sites and analysing artefacts and other physical remains
- fictionalised: to write about a real event or character, but with imaginary details
- Roi Soleil: French for the “Sun King”, Louis XIV, who ruled as supreme leader, with his long reign regarded as a golden age of French literature and art
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QUICK QUIZ
- What is the name of the Dutch city where d’Artagnan lost his life?
- Which French king did d’Artagnan serve?
- Who wrote the novel inspired by the musketeers and what is it called?
- How many years has Wim Dijkman spent researching d’Artagnan’s final resting place?
- What items were found near the skeleton that could suggest the mystery has been solved?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Are you convinced?
Do you think that the skeleton that has been found are the remains of d’Artagnan? Make a list of clues that point to the remains really being the musketeer, and a list of unknown factors that still maintain the possibility that it could be somebody else.
Write a paragraph to explain how convinced (or unconvinced) you are that it is Charles de Batz de Castelmore.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, History, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension:
What is a musketeer? Research, then draw a picture with labels and captions to show your understanding.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, History, Visual Arts
VCOP ACTIVITY
Imaginative dialogue
Imagine you were there in the church when the discovery was made.
Create a conversation between two characters from the article – you may need or want to include yourself as one of the characters. Don’t forget to try to use facts and details from the article to help make your dialogue as realistic as possible.
Go through your writing and highlight any punctuation you have used in green. Make sure you carefully check the punctuation used for the dialogue and ensure you have opened and closed the speaking in the correct places.