Written by Alexandre Dumas in 1884, The Three Musketeers is regarded as one of the all time classic novels. The novel initiates in France and the year is 1625. Eighteen year old D’Artagnan travels to Paris and joins the three musketeers (Athos, Aramis and Porthos). He then offends them and is challenged by a fight by them. Instead of fighting, all the four are attacked by five Cardinal guards, where D’Artagnan fights bravely and the four unite and flee.
The four become fast friends; whereas D’Artagnan falls in love with a beautiful lady, Constance. Both of them help the French queen (Anne) get the diamond studs from the Duke of Buckingham with whom the queen once shared a relationship. The Cardinal learns about this thing and tries to get her in trouble with her husband (The King of France). He recommends the King to organize a party where the queen is required to wear those diamonds. When Anne knows about the party she bursts into tears.
The four friends travel to England, retrieve the jewelry and return back. Constance is kidnapped by Cardinal who is rescued by Anne later. D’Artagnan meets ex-wife of Athos, Milady de Winter and realizes that she was a criminal and the widow of Count de Winter. Milady is recruited by Cardinal to kill Buckingham and also a hand written order for killing D’Artagnan in the future. Athos discovers all these plans but is unable to warn Buckingham.
Athos informs Lord de Winter, brother of Count de Winter, about the arrival of Milady and Lord de Winter arrests Milady on doubts that she killed Count de Winter. She then seduces her guard and flees to the French monastery where the queen secreted Constance. Milady then kills Constance. All four then arrive; Athos discovers Milady as a murderer of many people who is then tried and beheaded.
D’Artagnan is arrested and presented before the Cardinal. He then explains all the events that happened and also unveils the pardon of Cardinal. The Cardinal gets impressed with him and a blank musketeer’s office commission is offered to him. His friends refuse the offer; D’Artagnan accepts it and becomes a well known lieutenant later.
The novel had created a significant impact and there were many musicals, films, games as well as television adaptations based on the book.
