Citizen Armand Chauvelin (''Citoyen Chauvelin'' in French) is the villain in Baroness Emmuska Orczy's classic novel ''

The Scarlet Pimpernel ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' is the first novel in a series of historical fiction by Baroness Orczy, published in 1905. It was written after her stage play of the same title (co-authored with Montague Barstow) enjoyed a long run in London, having ...

'' and the various plays and films derived from the work.

Overview

He is cast as

Sir Percy Blakeney ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' is the first novel in a series of historical fiction by Baroness Orczy, published in 1905. It was written after her stage play of the same title (co-authored with Montague Barstow) enjoyed a long run in London, having ...

's arch-enemy throughout the novel's many sequels and appears in almost all of them. The former ambassador to the

Court of St. James's The Court of St James's is the royal court for the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. All ambassadors to the United Kingdom are formally received by the court. All ambassadors from the United Kingdom are formally accredited from the court – & ...

(''

'', '' The Elusive Pimpernel''), Chauvelin is both a representative in the

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the rep ...

and the chief agent of the Committee of Public Safety. Chauvelin is also an old friend of the Pimpernel's wife Lady Blakeney, having been a frequenter of her salon in Paris before her marriage (and is depicted in some film treatments as being Marguerite's suitor or lover prior to her marriage to Sir Percy). Chauvelin is a ruthless, amoral patriot who firmly believes that the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is a threat and a mockery to the French Republic, and uses his position incessantly to attempt to destroy or discredit the Pimpernel and his associates. He is described as dressing always in black. While he is depicted as being a small and physically weak man, he is extremely intelligent and cunning, able to manipulate those around him and devise elaborate plots. He is fearless concerning his own safety, except so far as his own incapacity or death might foil his plans. Although he learns the true identity of the Pimpernel early on, Chauvelin keeps the knowledge to himself, partially because he realises that if the government knew, he would lose his leverage over them as the only man who knows what the Pimpernel looks like. Also, his bitter hatred of Sir Percy has become an obsession and he wishes to be personally responsible for stopping the Pimpernel's interference in French politics. Chauvelin's exact marital status, and whether or not he has other children, is unknown. However, Orczy reveals that Chauvelin has a more human side and fills in some background details - among other things, mentioning his first name, Armand, for the only time in the series - in the novel '' Sir Percy Hits Back'' which features his daughter, Fleurette. Protected from the brutalities of the

Revolution In political science, a revolution (Latin: ''revolutio'', "a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due ...

, she is unaware of her beloved father's identity as a leading politician. Fleurette's mother is never mentioned, except for the implication that she was not involved in her daughter's upbringing within Fleurette's memory. Chauvelin is also depicted more sympathetically in the 1999 TV series; in that series,

Martin Shaw Martin Shaw (born 21 January 1945) is an English actor. He came to national recognition as Doyle in ITV crime-action television drama series '' The Professionals'' (1977–1983). Further notable television parts include the title roles in '' ...

portrays Chauvelin as having some sense of sympathy and decency. Chauvelin and the Pimpernel are even shown as having some respect and admiration for each other, though not quite a friendship. However, in '' the 1982 television film'', Chauvelin (played by Ian McKellen) appears to be deeply in love with Marguerite, but in an egotistical, controlling way; furthermore, he is so ruthlessly ambitious and vengeful that he turns on Marguerite when he realizes that her love and loyalty is to Sir Percy. His final brief appearance is in '' The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel'', suggesting that, sometime between then and the events of '' Mam'zelle Guillotine'', he has been executed, presumably by the authorities after the

Thermidorian Reaction The Thermidorian Reaction (french: Réaction thermidorienne or ''Convention thermidorienne'', "Thermidorian Convention") is the common term, in the historiography of the French Revolution, for the period between the ousting of Maximilien Robespie ...

. In ''

Lord Tony's Wife ''Lord Tony's Wife'', by Baroness Orczy is a sequel book to the classic adventure tale, ''The Scarlet Pimpernel.'' It was first published in 1917. A French-language version, translated and adapted by Françoise delle Donne, was published in 19 ...

'', it is implied that he survived until at least September 1794, since his testimony is said to have weighed heavily at the trial of

Jean-Baptiste Carrier Jean-Baptiste Carrier (, 16 March 1756 – 16 December 1794) was a French Revolutionary and politician most notable for his actions in the War in the Vendée during the Reign of Terror. While under orders to suppress a Royalist counter-revolutio ...

Inspiration

Orczy's depiction is loosely based on

Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin François-Bernard de Chauvelin, marquis de Grosbois (born 29 November 1766 in Paris; died 9 April 1832 in Paris), also known as ''Marquis de Chauvelin'', was a French nobleman, diplomat, parliamentarian and liberal reformer. Biography The scion ...

, a notable political figure in revolutionary France. Although there are some similarities between the real and fictional Chauvelins, Orczy's depiction of Chauvelin's career, personality and history is highly distorted. The historical Chauvelin was in fact a notable military officer who served with Rochambeau in the

American Revolution The American Revolution was an ideological and political revolution that occurred in British America between 1765 and 1791. The Americans in the Thirteen Colonies formed independent states that defeated the British in the American Revoluti ...

, and as assistant ambassador to Britain in the time period depicted. The real Chauvelin was never a member or an agent of the Committee of Public Safety, and survived Thermidor.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Blakeney Manor
Chauvelin Fictional marquesses and marchionesses Male literary villains Fictional diplomats Characters in British novels