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18 hours ago
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The remains of the real-life 'fourth musketeer' may have been uncovered beneath a Dutch church after more than 350 years.
A skeleton discovered during renovation work at St Peter and Paul church in Wolder, near Maastricht, is believed to be that of Charles de Batz de Castelmore - better known as D'Artagnan.
Archaeologists say key clues match historical accounts of his death, including a musket ball fragment found near the ribs and a French coin buried in the grave.
D'Artagnan, a trusted commander under King Louis XIV, was killed during the siege of Maastricht in 1673 after being shot in battle.
With fighting still raging, he was buried close to where he fell - near the church where French troops had set up camp.
Experts say the location of the grave is significant, as only high-status figures were buried beneath the altar at the time.
A DNA sample taken from the skeleton's teeth is now being compared with that of a living descendant, with results expected soon.
Archaeologist Wim Dijkma, who has spent nearly 30 years searching for the musketeer's tomb, said nothing so far contradicts the theory that the remains are his.
The long-lost remains of the real life 'fourth musketeer' may have been uncovered beneath a Dutch church after more than 350 years
A skeleton discovered during renovation work at St Peter and Paul church in Wolder, near Maastricht, is believed to be that of Charles de Batz de Castelmore - better known as D'Artagnan (pictured)
Archaeologist's say key clues match historical accounts of his death, including a musket ball fragment found near the ribs and a French coin buried in the grave
D'Artagnan, a trusted commander under King Louis XIV, was killed during the siege of Maastricht in 1673 after being shot in battle
Jos Valke, a deacon, was also present at the dig and is convinced the find is historically significant.
'The skeleton lay on the spot where the altar used to stand,' Mr Valke told The Telegraph.
'Only royal or other important figures were buried under the altar at the time.'
Wim Hillenaar, the mayor of Maastricht, told L1Nieuws: 'If the DNA analysis confirms this, it would be a remarkable discovery within an important chapter in the history of Maastricht.
'At the same time, it is now of great importance that the ongoing investigation can be conducted with the necessary care and scientific accuracy. Until those results are known, restraint is appropriate.'
D'Artagnan was immortalised in Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers, becoming a global cultural icon under the famous motto 'All for one and one for all'.
Film adaptations featuring him date back to the birth of cinema, and have starred Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Gene Kelly, Lana Turner, Charlie Sheen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom and many other stars.
In the early 1980s, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, a Spanish-Japanese cartoon featuring chivalrous canines, enchanted a generation of adventure-loving British boys and girls.
