Repairs in Maastricht Church May Have Revealed the Lost Grave of French Hero D’Artagnan
A skeleton found when a church floor collapsed in Maastricht may belong to the French musketeer d'Artagnan, with DNA testing now underway to confirm the 350-year-old mystery.
A collapsed church floor in the Maastricht neighbourhood of Wolder has led to what could be one of the most significant historical discoveries in the Netherlands in years. A skeleton found during repair work at the Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk is believed by researchers to possibly be the remains of Charles de Batz de Castelmore, the French military hero known as d'Artagnan, who died during the Siege of Maastricht in 1673 and whose burial place has remained a mystery for more than three centuries.
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Who was d'Artagnan
D'Artagnan was the captain of the Musketeers, an elite military corps that served as the personal guard of the French King Louis XIV. He died during the siege of Maastricht in 1673 when the French army was attempting to take the city. He is believed to have been struck in the chest or throat by a musket ball. What happened to his body afterwards has never been established with certainty.
He would later become world-famous through the novel The Three Musketeers, written by French author Alexandre Dumas in 1844. Alongside Aramis, Athos and Porthos, d'Artagnan appears as the fourth musketeer in the story, which has since been filmed and adapted multiple times.
How the discovery was made
In February, part of the church floor in the Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk in Wolder sank in. During the subsequent repair work, the ground was opened up and human remains were found. Several elements immediately drew the attention of researchers. Remnants of a musket ball were found near the chest area of the skeleton, and a French coin was lying in the grave.
The deacon of the church, Jos Valke, who was present during the discovery, noted that the skeleton was lying in a particularly significant position. "The skeleton was at the spot where the altar used to stand. Only royal or other important figures were buried beneath the altar at that time," he said.
Why this church
The theory that d'Artagnan may have been buried in this church had existed for years but had never been substantiated. The French army had set up its encampment right next to the village church of Wolder during the siege, making it the most logical place for a burial of someone of d'Artagnan's rank. Because of the summer heat and the ongoing battle, it is thought the decision was made not to transport his body back to Paris. The Catholic king is believed to have chosen to bury the decorated soldier in consecrated ground in Maastricht.
According to Camille Oostwegel, who holds the honorary title of captain-lieutenant of the Compagnie des Mousquetaires d'Armagnac in the Netherlands, the probability that this is d'Artagnan stands at around 90 percent. "It was already known that d'Artagnan fell before the gates of Maastricht on 25 June 1673, but his grave had never been found before. If we can confirm this in the coming weeks, it will be world news. I have already discreetly informed the palace of French President Macron," he said.
DNA testing underway
On 13 March, a DNA sample was taken from the skeleton, specifically from the teeth, where the most usable genetic material is preserved. A laboratory in Munich is now comparing this DNA with that of a living descendant of the historical figure, from a bloodline near Avignon that traces back through d'Artagnan's father's side: Bertrand de Batz de Castelmore. Results are expected in the coming weeks.
The skeleton has since been removed from the church and is now at an archaeological institute in Deventer for further examination. The church has installed an alarm system to deter unwanted visitors.
Archaeologist Wim Dijkman, who found the skeleton, said he is being cautious. "So far, nothing contradicts the possibility that this is him. But I am waiting for the DNA results."
What happens if confirmed
If the DNA confirms the identification, a diplomatic discussion between the Netherlands and France is expected over whether the remains should stay in Maastricht or be reburied in France. For the French, d'Artagnan is one of the greatest heroes in their national history, who died in service of King Louis XIV.
