The Affair Of The Diamond Necklace
Introduction
One of the most scandalous events in French history is the Affair of the Diamond Necklace. This event involved a plot to defraud the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, of a diamond necklace that was worth a fortune. The scandal was one of the factors that contributed to the unpopularity of Marie Antoinette, who was already facing criticism from the French people for her lavish lifestyle and perceived interference in politics.
The Necklace
The necklace in question was a magnificent piece of jewelry that consisted of 647 diamonds arranged in a complex design. The necklace was created by the jewelers Boehmer and Bassenge, who had hoped to sell it to Louis XV for his mistress, Madame du Barry. However, the king died before the necklace was completed, and the jewelers were left with a piece of jewelry that was too expensive for anyone else to buy.
The Plot
In 1784, a woman named Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, who was known as the Comtesse de la Motte, approached Cardinal de Rohan with a proposal. She claimed to be a close friend of the Queen and offered to use her influence to help the Cardinal regain the Queen's favor. In return, she asked the Cardinal to purchase the diamond necklace from Boehmer and Bassenge and give it to the Queen on her behalf.
The Deception
The Cardinal agreed to the plan and paid for the necklace, which was then delivered to the Comtesse de la Motte. However, when she presented the necklace to the Queen, she was met with confusion and outrage. The Queen had never heard of the Comtesse de la Motte and had never requested a diamond necklace. The Comtesse de la Motte had deceived the Cardinal and had no connection to the Queen whatsoever.
The Aftermath
The scandal caused a sensation in France, and the Cardinal was arrested and put on trial for his involvement. He claimed that he had been duped by the Comtesse de la Motte and had no idea that the Queen was not involved in the plot. However, the Cardinal was found guilty of fraud and was exiled from the court.
The Comtesse de la Motte was also arrested and put on trial, but she managed to escape from prison and fled to London. She continued to cause trouble for the Queen, publishing a scandalous memoir that accused the Queen of infidelity and other crimes.
The Impact
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace had a significant impact on French history. It further damaged the reputation of Marie Antoinette, who was already facing criticism for her extravagant lifestyle and perceived interference in politics. The scandal also highlighted the corruption and decadence of the French court and contributed to the growing unrest that would eventually lead to the French Revolution.
Conclusion
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace remains one of the most infamous scandals in French history. It involved deception, fraud, and betrayal, and had far-reaching consequences for the French monarchy. The scandal contributed to the growing unrest that would eventually lead to the French Revolution, and it tarnished the reputation of Marie Antoinette, who was already facing criticism for her lavish lifestyle and perceived interference in politics.
