Affair Of The Diamond Necklace Summary
Introduction
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace is a historical event that took place in France in the late 18th century. It is considered one of the greatest scandals in the history of France. The event involves a diamond necklace that was supposed to be purchased by Louis XV for his mistress, Madame du Barry. However, the necklace was never bought and was eventually stolen, leading to a series of events that shook the French monarchy to its core.
The Diamond Necklace
The story of the affair begins with the diamond necklace itself. The necklace was created by the jeweler Charles Auguste Boehmer and his partner Paul Bassange. It was made up of 647 diamonds and was valued at 1.6 million livres, which is equivalent to around $15 million today. The necklace was supposed to be purchased by Louis XV for his mistress, Madame du Barry, but the king died before the purchase could be made.
The Fraudulent Scheme
Enter Jeanne de la Motte, a con artist who was determined to get her hands on the necklace. She convinced Cardinal de Rohan, a high-ranking member of the French court, that Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, wanted him to purchase the necklace on her behalf. In reality, Marie Antoinette had nothing to do with the necklace and had no interest in it.
The Purchase and Theft
Cardinal de Rohan eventually agreed to purchase the necklace and gave Jeanne de la Motte a promissory note to pay for it. However, when the time came to pay, the jeweler discovered that the note was a forgery. The necklace was never paid for, and it was eventually stolen. The thief was never caught, but it is believed that Jeanne de la Motte was involved in the theft.
The Scandal
The scandal broke when the jeweler Boehmer approached the queen, Marie Antoinette, asking for payment for the necklace. Marie Antoinette had no knowledge of the necklace and was outraged that her name had been used in such a fraudulent scheme. Cardinal de Rohan was arrested and put on trial for his role in the affair, but he was eventually acquitted. Jeanne de la Motte was also arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
The Aftermath
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace had a profound effect on the French monarchy. It exposed the corruption and decadence of the court and further damaged Marie Antoinette's already tarnished reputation. The scandal contributed to the growing unrest in France that eventually led to the French Revolution.
Conclusion
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace is a fascinating and scandalous event in French history. It highlights the greed, corruption, and decadence of the French court and the lengths that people will go to in order to obtain wealth and power. The scandal had far-reaching consequences and played a significant role in the downfall of the French monarchy.
