''La Dame de Monsoreau'' is a historical novel by

Alexandre Dumas, père Alexandre Dumas (, ; ; born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (), 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas père (where '' '' is French for 'father', to distinguish him from his son Alexandre Dumas fils), was a French writer. ...

published in 1846. It owes its name to the counts who owned the famous

château de Montsoreau The Château de Montsoreau is a Flamboyant Gothic castle in the Loire Valley, directly built in the Loire riverbed. It is located in the small market town of Montsoreau, in the Maine-et-Loire ''département'' of France, close to Saumur, Chin ...

. The novel is concerned with fraternal royal strife at the court of

Henri III Henry III (french: Henri III, né Alexandre Édouard; pl, Henryk Walezy; lt, Henrikas Valua; 19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589) was King of France from 1574 until his assassination in 1589, as well as King of Poland and Grand Duke of Li ...

. Tragically caught between the millstones of history are the gallant Count de Bussy and the woman he adores, la Dame de Monsoreau.

Chicot Chicot (c. 1540–1591), real name Jean-Antoine d'Anglerais, was the jester of King Henry III of France and later Henry IV. He was sharp-tongued and very cunning, and spoke with the king without formalities. Biography Chicot was born in Gascony i ...

the Jester is a character in the novel, and in some English translations he is the title character.

External links

* 1846 French novels French novels adapted into films Novels set in France Novels set in the 16th century Novels by Alexandre Dumas Articles containing video clips Cultural depictions of Henry III of France {{1840s-hist-novel-stub