Contents
Introduction
Madame Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry, lived a life of intrigue, scandal, and royal favor. As the last official mistress of King Louis XV of France, her fate was intertwined with the tumultuous events of the French Revolution. Let us delve into the enigmatic life of this captivating woman and explore the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise.
Early Years and Rise to Power
Jeanne Bécu was born on August 19, 1743, in Vaucouleurs, France. Her humble beginnings as the illegitimate daughter of a seamstress did not foreshadow the dazzling trajectory her life would take. At fifteen, she left the convent and embarked on a journey that would lead her to the opulent halls of Versailles.
The Royal Court and Scandal
In 1768, King Louis XV sought to make Jeanne his official mistress, a position known as maîtresse-en-titre. Etiquette demanded that she be married to a high courtier, and so she hastily wed Comte Guillaume du Barry. The marriage was a façade, accompanied by a falsified birth certificate that concealed her true age and background. Jeanne became the king’s paramour, but her past as a former prostitute and her low birth rankled the aristocracy.
Marie Antoinette’s Contempt
Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, held Jeanne in disdain. Their interactions were frosty, and Jeanne’s presence at court scandalized many. On New Year’s Day 1772, Marie Antoinette finally deigned to speak to her, but the tension persisted. Jeanne’s association with the king continued to raise eyebrows.
The Reign of Terror and Accusations
Decades later, during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, Jeanne faced accusations of treason. Her alleged crime? Assisting émigrés in escaping the revolution. Imprisoned and tried, she was found guilty by the Revolutionary Tribunal of Paris.
Madame du Barry’s Demise
On December 8, 1793, the guillotine claimed Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry. Her execution marked the end of an era—a life that had intertwined with royalty, scandal, and political upheaval. Her body found its resting place in the Madeleine cemetery, while the fabulous gems she had smuggled to London were auctioned off in 1795.
Conclusion
Madame du Barry’s cause of death was decapitation, a grim fate shared by many during the French Revolution. Her story remains a testament to the capriciousness of power, the allure of forbidden love, and the inexorable march of history.
