First published in 1847 and a sequel to “Chicot the Jester," Alexandre Dumas’s historical novel “The Forty Five Guardsmen” tells the story of Diane de Méridor’s quest for revenge upon Duc d’Anjou – for his heinous betrayal of Bussy d’Amboise. Historically it commences with the execution of Salcède and the arrival of the Forty Five at Paris, and deals with the Guise intrigues, the campaign of Anjou in Flanders and his death; the events in the novel take place in 1584 and 85.
A must-read for those who have enjoyed the previous books in this saga, “The Forty Five Guardsmen” is worthy of a place on any bookshelf, and is not to be missed by the discerning collector. The novel is the third volume of The Valois Trilogy, coming after "Queen Margot" and "Chicot the Jester" in that order.
