Cardinal de Rohan: Tricked by Jeanne into believing he was favored by the queen.
Jewelers (Boehmer and Bassenge): Victims of the fraud.
Nicole Le Guay d'Oliva: Look-alike used in the deception against Rohan.
Events Leading to the Scandal
Jeanne convinced Rohan of her influence with the queen.
Forged letters and a staged meeting were used to manipulate Rohan.
Rohan negotiated the necklace's purchase, believing he was acting on the queen's behalf.
The necklace was dismantled and sold by Jeanne.
Trial and Outcome
Rohan was arrested in the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles.
Trial declared Rohan innocent but Jeanne guilty.
Jeanne was punished by whipping, branding, and imprisonment, from which she later escaped.
Public opinion leaned towards belief in Marie Antoinette's involvement despite trial findings.
Impact
Significantly discredited the monarchy and Marie Antoinette.
Heightened public disdain and was among the catalysts for the French Revolution.
Resulted in a surge of defamatory literature against Marie Antoinette.
Marie Antoinette's public appearances decreased due to unpopularity.
Cultural References
The affair inspired various literary and film adaptations, including works by Thomas Carlyle, Alexandre Dumas, and films like "Marie Antoinette" directed by Sofia Coppola.
Significance
The scandal exemplified the disillusionment with the Bourbon monarchy.
Contributed to the perception of Marie Antoinette as a symbol of royal corruption and excess.
Further Reading
Scholarly studies include Jonathan Beckman's "How to Ruin a Queen" and Antonia Fraser's "Marie Antoinette, The Journey".