Introduction and Notes
by Keith Wren, University of Kent at Canterbury
A historical romance, The Three Musketeers tells the story of the early
adventures of the young Gascon gentleman, D'Artagnan and his three
friends from the regiment of the King's Musketeers - Athos, Porthos
and Aramis.
Under the watchful eye of their patron M. de Treville, the four defend
the honour of the regiment against the guards of Cardinal Richelieu,
and the honour of the queen against the machinations of the Cardinal
himself as the power struggles of seventeenth century France are vividly
played out in the background.