The King's Musketeers, or Mousquetaires de la maison militaire du roi de France, are some of the kingdoms finest soldiers. In the year 1666 there were 2 companies of them. One were the original king's musketeer, the other were the original cardinal's musketeers, who joined the royal ranks after the deaths of Richelieu in 1642 and Mazarin in 1661. Serving as a musketeer is an honour, and the volunteers are heavily vetted. Only brave and well-trained men make it.