Henry d'Aramitz or Aramis, born around 16201, is a lay abbot who inspired the fictional character of Aramis in Alexandre Dumas' novel The Three Musketeers.
Like Porthos, Aramis belongs to an illustrious family from Béarn. Unlike other Béarn musketeers, he is of noble military origin.
His grandfather, the Huguenot captain Pierre d'Aramitz, played a very active role in the religious wars that raged in Béarn and Soule at the time of Jeanne d'Albret. Married to Louise de Sauguis, daughter of a lay abbot of Soule, he had three children:the eldest, Phébus, died prematurely. Marie, the youngest, who married Jean du Peyrer in 1597, was the mother of Jean-Armand du Peyrer, the famous Count of Tréville, captain lieutenant of the musketeers, born in 1598 in Oloron. Charles, the youngest, served first in the company of musketeers commanded by his nephew since 1634. He married Marie de Rague, daughter of the lord of Espalungue, near Laruns. From this union are born two daughters and Henry, who will inspire Alexandre Dumas his famous character1. Henry d'Aramis is thus a first cousin of the Comte de Tréville.
In May 1640, Henry d'Aramis became the second musketeer in his family, alongside his father who then held the position of quartermaster (fourrier). Military records say nothing about the service records of father and son, or what became of them after the dissolution of their company in 16461.
In 1650, Henry, although possibly of Protestant faith, married Jeanne de Béarn-Bonasse, who belonged to one of the most prominent families of Béarn Catholicism. From this union were born four children:two daughters and two sons, Armand and Clément. The latter sold the family home in 1690 to a cousin.