Reasons for choosing your profile name ... ( Archived) (128)

rohaan: It's a very long story. It actually originates with two jewelers who had created the elaborate and super-expensive piece for Madame DuBarry, Louis XV's last mistress. Unable to recoup the cost, the jewelers faced liquidation and expulsion from court, which was the worst thing that could happen in those Versailles days. (People who had been dismissed from the French court often committed suicide). A ne'er do well hat and dress repair maid was able to prove a link to royalty and gained entrance to court, imposing herself as a friend to Marie Antoinette, who barely knew of her existence. Using her charm, she convinced the Cardinal that he was now in favor again, by writing false letters and exchanging false messages back and forth. After finding out that the necklace was made for DuBarry, Marie Antoinette lost interest, but the messages being given on her behalf, through Rohan, to the jewelers, along with a theatrical ruse, put the necklace on the royal household register and the bill was stamped as belonging to Marie Antoinette. Rohan had unknowingly assisted the thief, by supporting her financially while she created the scheme. It was complicated, the Cardinal was acquitted at trial, the "countess" was whipped and branded publicly and sent to prison, and the Cardinal, though acquitted, was fired from his bishopry and sent to live at his estate some distance from Paris.

2intrigued: Hey you...what about me.