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Article: Diamond Necklace, Affair of the
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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DIAMOND NECKLACE, AFFAIR OF THE
DIAMOND NECKLACE, AFFAIR OF THE.
Though ostensibly unconnected to serious politics, the Affair of the Diamond Necklace damaged the French monarchy's standing in public
opinion and thus constituted an important step toward the Revolution of 1789. The case centered on a series of deceptions. In 1785 a young woman living at Versailles persuaded Louis de Rohan, a leading courtier and churchman, that Queen Marie Antoinette (1755
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1793) wished him to purchase on her behalf a famous and fabulously expensive necklace. He would have to make the purchase secretly since King Louis XVI (ruled 1774
–
1792) had previously indicated his disapproval. ...