Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Mazarin's former clerk, now the king's intendant, who brings down Fouquet with a dead cardinal's letter and sends d'Artagnan his baton.
To administer the king's money alone, and to make France the first and richest country in the world with it.
The book
The Man in the Iron Mask
Alexandre Dumas
At a glance
- Intendant of finances, then minister
- Cardinal Mazarin's clerk
- Jean-Baptiste Colbert · 1619–1683 · Reims
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeColbert is the man who replaces Fouquet, and Dumas is fair to him. He begins as a jealous clerk with a letter of Mazarin's in his pocket and ends the book as the minister who will build harbours, libraries and a navy. D'Artagnan hates him, then shakes his hand, then receives from him the box with the marshal's baton.
How Jean-Baptiste Colbert Is Portrayed
- The letter and the sumIn Chapter XIV he gives the king Mazarin's letter about the thirteen million francs and, as if by accident, reminds him that Fontainebleau cost three. The text calls it a skilfully contrived piece of baseness.
- Granaries and academiesIn Chapter XLI, reconciled with d'Artagnan by the king, he explains that he wanted the finances alone because he intends to build cities, harbours, fleets, libraries and academies, and that Fouquet stood in the way.
- The king never forgetsIn the same chapter, when d'Artagnan says the king will tire and forget, Colbert answers that the king never forgets, and the king proves it by ordering Fouquet to the Bastille within a minute.
- The box at MaastrichtIn the Epilogue his letter names d'Artagnan marshal of France and his messenger carries the box he has had made for the baton. The cannonball that kills d'Artagnan breaks that box.
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