Diamond Necklace (The) (1785)

A necklace presented, through Mme. de Lamotte, by Cardinal de Rohan (as he supposed) to Marie Antoinette. The cardinal, a profligate churchman, entertained a sort of love passion for the queen; and the Countess de Lamotte induced him to purchase for the queen, for £85,000, a diamond necklace, made for Mme. Dubarry. The cardinal handed the necklace to the countess, who sold it to an English jeweller and kept the money. When the time of payment arrived Boehmer, the jeweller, sent his bill in to the queen, who denied all knowledge of the matter. A trial ensued, which lasted nine months, and created immense scandal.