Ludwig XIV

Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan, a 17th-century French musketeer, served the French crown and is best known as the inspiration for Alexandre Dumas' novel, 'The Three Musketeers.' He died in 1673 during the siege of Maastricht. D'Artagnan is newsworthy because a skeleton has been discovered in a church in Maastricht, Netherlands, during repair work. This discovery is believed by some to be the remains of the legendary musketeer. Archeologists are investigating whether the skeleton is indeed D'Artagnan. The discovery has renewed interest in the historical figure and the enduring appeal of the musketeer myth, popularized by Dumas' novel.