Angélique, the Marquise of the Angels

infobox Book |
name = Angélique, the Marquise of the Angels
title_orig = Angélique, Marquise des Anges
translator = R. Barisse


image_caption = Cover to a modern edition
author = Anne Golon & Serge Golon
cover_artist =
country = France
language = French
series = Angélique
genre = Historical novel
publisher = Trévise & Colbert
release_date = 1956
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by =
followed_by = Angelique and the King

"Angélique, the Marquise of the Angels" ( _fr. Angélique, Marquise des Anges) is a 1956 novel by Anne Golon & Serge Golon, the first novel in Angélique series. Inspired by the life of Suzanne de Rougé du Plessis-Bellière, known as the Marquise du Plessis-Bellière.

Plot introduction

Also published in English as "Angelique: The Road to Versailles"

Plot summary

In Mid-17th century France: young Louis XIV is struggling for his throne, beggars and thieves haunt Paris and brigands roam the countryside. Fifth child of an impoverished country nobleman, Angélique de Sancé de Monteloup grows up in the Poitou marshlands. Her logical destiny would be to marry a poor country nobleman, have children and spend her life fighting for a meagre subsistence. Destiny has other plans in store for her. At 17, on returning from her education in a convent, she finds herself betrothed to the rich count, Joffrey de Peyrac, ( Joffrey Comte de Peyrac de Morens, Lord of Toulouse), 12 years her senior, lame, scarred and reputed to be a wizard. For the sake of her family, Angélique reluctantly agrees to the match but refuses the advances of her husband. Peyrac respects her decision and does not pursue his claim to conjugal rights, wishing rather to seduce than use force.

With the passing of months, Angelique discovers the talents and virtues of her remarkable husband: scientist, musician, philosopher; and to her surprise falls passionately in love with him. But Joffrey's unusual way of life is threatened by the ambitions of the Archbishop of Toulouse, and soon arouses the jealousy of the young king himself, Louis XIV. Joffrey is arrested and charged with sorcery. Angélique will single-handedly take on the might of the royal court and, survive murder and poison attempts on herself in a supreme effort to save Joffrey from the stake, to no avail. Instinctively, her whole being intent on revenge and her determination to survive, Angélique, alone and desperate, plunges into the darkness of the Paris underworld.

Characters in "Angélique, the Marquise of the Angels"

*Angélique de Sancé – main protagonist, youngest daughter of a poor nobleman
*Joffrey de Peyrac – rich count of Toulouse to whom she get betrothed, marries and then falls in love.
*Louis XIV – who arrests Joffrey for sorcery.
*Matre Desgrez- a poor lawyer who helps Angelique defend her husband at court.