Jeanne de Valois was born in France 1756 to a peasant family. However, she had royal The Valois Dynasty succeeded the Capetian Dynasty as rulers of France from 1328- 1589. ...Valois blood in her as her father was descended illegitimately from Henry II of France Henry II (French: Henri II) (March 31, 1519 _ July 10, 1559), a member of the Valois Dynasty, was King of France from 1547 until his death. ...King Henri II. Both of her parents died when she was a girl and she grew up in poverty.

In 1780, she married Nicholas de Lamotte and both husband and wife assumed the title Comte and Comtesse de Lamotte Valois. The Comtesse aimed to recieve a pension from the Royal Family due to her royal blood. She set her sights on Queen Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria (born November 1755 – executed 16 October 1793) Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, wife of Louis XVI and mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. ...Marie Antoinette as she felt the Queen, being a woman, would be more sympathetic to her plight.

The marraige between Jeanne and her husband was unsuccesful although they continued to live together. Jeanne took a lover, Rétaux de Villette, a common gigolo. Around 1783, the Comtesse became the mistress of the Cardinal of France, Prince Louis de Rohan. She became aware that the Prince wanted nothing more than the favour of Marie_Antoinette, Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria (born November 1755 – executed 16 October 1793) Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, wife of Louis XVI and mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. ...Marie Antoinette (the Queen hated the The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo for hinge and usually refers to things of fundamental importance, as in cardinal rule or cardinal sins. ...Cardinal as he had spread rumours about her when she was the dauphine).

At the same time as this, the Royal jeweller, Charles Auguste Boehmer was trying to sell the Political A queen regnant is a female monarch. ...Queen a particulary showy diamond necklace that had been originally designed for Madame du Barry (August 19, 1743 _ December 8, 1793) was a courtesan who became the mistress of Louis XV of France. ...Madame du Barry. The Queen refused the necklace saying she had diamonds enough.

The Comtesse ,with the active help of her husband and de Villette, planned to use this opportunity to gain finances. Rètaux de Villette was a master forger and wrote letters from 'the queen' to the Comtesse saying she wanted the necklace. The The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo for hinge and usually refers to things of fundamental importance, as in cardinal rule or cardinal sins. ...Cardinal read these letters and agreed to buy the necklace for the Queen. A late night rendez_vous was arranged where the Cardinal met the 'queen' (really a prostitute called Nicole d'Oliva) and recieved forgiveness.

The necklace was given to the Comtesse to pass on to the Queen. The Comte de Lamotte promptly began selling the diamonds in The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ...Paris and London — containing the City of London — is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England and a major world city. With over seven million inhabitants (Londoners) in Greater London area, it is amongst the most densely populated areas in Western Europe. ...London. The affair only came to light when the The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo for hinge and usually refers to things of fundamental importance, as in cardinal rule or cardinal sins. ...Cardinal was arrested. The Comtesse de Lamotte, Rètaux de Villette, Nicole d'Oliva and Count Cagliostro (a self-proclaimed holy man who had helped the ]Comtessse persuade the The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo for hinge and usually refers to things of fundamental importance, as in cardinal rule or cardinal sins. ...Cardinal to purchase the necklace) were all arrested. The Comte de Lamotte stayed in London — containing the City of London — is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England and a major world city. With over seven million inhabitants (Londoners) in Greater London area, it is amongst the most densely populated areas in Western Europe. ...London.

Marie_Antoinette, Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria (born November 1755 – executed 16 October 1793) Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, wife of Louis XVI and mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. ...Marie Antoinette demanded that the public try the The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo for hinge and usually refers to things of fundamental importance, as in cardinal rule or cardinal sins. ...Cardinal so her innocence in the affair would be proved. The Queen's popularity with the French public was waning. The Cardinal was found not guilty and acquitted. Louis XVI Louis XVI (August 23, 1754 _ January 21, 1793), was King of France and Navarre from 1774 until 1791, and then King of the French in 1791_1792. ...King Louis XVI promptly had him exiled. Rètaux de Villette was found guilty of forgery and exiled. Nicole d'Oliva was acquitted. Count Cagliostro was exiled. The Comtesse was found guilty and sentenced to be whipped, branded and imprisoned. The public sympathised with the Comtesse. She was imprisoned in the The Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital is currently a hospital in Paris. ...Salpêtrière prison for life.

The trial destroyed the reputation of the French Queen as the public saw her as the guilty party. The Comtesse soon escaped from her prison and made her way to London — containing the City of London — is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England and a major world city. With over seven million inhabitants (Londoners) in Greater London area, it is amongst the most densely populated areas in Western Europe. ...London where she published her memoirs, recalling false sexual encounters with the Queen. The affair of the Diamond Necklace was one of many scandals that led to the The period of the French Revolution in the history of France covers the years between 1789 and 1799, in which democrats and republicans overthrew the absolute monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church was forced to undergo radical restructuring. ...French Revolution and destroyed the For related meanings see also Monarch (disambiguation) A monarchy, (from the Greek monos, one, and archein, to rule) is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State. ...monarchy of France.

The The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardo for hinge and usually refers to things of fundamental importance, as in cardinal rule or cardinal sins. ...Cardinal survived the A revolution is a relatively sudden and absolutely drastic change. ...revolution and lived out his life in exile. Rètaux de Villette also lived and died in exile in Italy. Nicole d'Oliva faded into obscurity. Count Cagliostro was imprisoned during the Italian Inquisition and died in prison. Nicholas de Lamotte returned to The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ...Paris after the A revolution is a relatively sudden and absolutely drastic change. ...Revolution. The Comtesse died in London — containing the City of London — is the capital of the United Kingdom and of England and a major world city. With over seven million inhabitants (Londoners) in Greater London area, it is amongst the most densely populated areas in Western Europe. ...London after falling from her hotel room window. Some people believed she was killed by The noun or adjective, Royalist, can have several shades of meaning. ...royalists but she was probably trying to hide from debt collectors when she fell. She died before the A revolution is a relatively sudden and absolutely drastic change. ...Revolution took place. Marie_Antoinette, Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria (born November 1755 – executed 16 October 1793) Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, wife of Louis XVI and mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. ...Marie Antoinette went to the Public guillotining in Lons_le_Saunier, 1878 The guillotine is a machine used for the application of capital punishment by decapitation. ...guillotine in 1793.

Films:

The story was turned in to a movie in 2001. 'The Affair of the Necklace' starred Hilary Swank (born July 30, 1974 in Lincoln, Nebraska) is an American actress. ...Hilary Swank as the Comtesse de Lamotte with Christopher Hyde, Adrien Brody with the Oscar. ...Adrien Brody, Simon Baker (born July 30, 1969 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia) is a film and television actor. ...Simon Baker and Joely Richardson (born 9 January 1965) is a British actress, who was born into a theatrical family. ...Joely Richardson as Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria (born November 1755 – executed 16 October 1793) Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, wife of Louis XVI and mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. ...Marie Antoinette. The film is completely innaccurate. The Comtesse is made out to be the victim while Marie-Antoinette, Queen of France and Archduchess of Austria (born November 1755 – executed 16 October 1793) Daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, wife of Louis XVI and mother of Louis XVII. She was guillotined at the height of the French Revolution. ...Marie Antoinette is seen as indifferent and cruel. It is a good A costume drama is a period piece in which elaborate costumes, sets and properties are featured in order to capture the ambience of a particular era. ...costume drama with fine acting though. Entertaining.