Cinq-Mars; ou, Une conjuration sous Louis XIII (Tome 2 of 2)

by Alfred de Vigny

"Cinq-Mars; ou, Une conjuration sous Louis XIII (Tome 2 of 2)" by Alfred de Vigny is a novel published in 1826. Considered the first French historical novel, it dramatizes the young Marquis d'Effiat's conspiracy to overthrow Cardinal Richelieu during the reign of Louis XIII. Based on real events, Vigny takes creative liberties with history, defending his right to fiction despite criticism from historians. The work inspired numerous paintings and an 1877 opera by Charles Gounod.