Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, self-proclaimed "Comtesse de la Motte" (22 July 1756 – 23 August 1791), was a French noblewoman, notorious adventuress and a thief; she was married to Nicholas de la Motte, whose family's claim to nobility was dubious. She herself was an impoverished descendant of the Valois royal family through an illegitimate son of King Henry II. She has been known for her prominent role in the Affair of the Diamond Necklace, one of many scandals that led to the French Revolution and helped to destroy the monarchy of France.

Early years and marriage

Jeanne de Saint-Rémy de Luz de Valois was born on 22 July 1756 in Fontette (northeastern France near Bar-sur-Aube) to a family in a financially precarious position. Her father, Jacques I de Saint-Rémy, Baron de Saint-Rémy, Seigneur de Luze (1717–1762), was a direct male-line descendant of Henri de Valois, Count of Saint-Rémy, Baron de Fontette (1557–1621), an illegitimate son of King Henry II by his mistress, Nicole de Savigny; despite having royal blood of the House of Valois, Jacques was known as a drunkard and to live from expedients. Her mother was Marie Jossel (1726–1783), a court servant girl, daughter of Pierre Jossel and Françoise Pitois, whom Jacques married in Langres in 1755, four years after the birth of their first son Jacques (b. 1751) and two years after the birth of their second son Joseph (b. 1753).

Jeanne was the third of six children. Three of Jacques de Valois de Saint-Rémy and Marie Jossel's six children died in childhood: Joseph (9 March 1753 – 9 December 1753), Marie Marguerite Anne (17 February 1759 – 23 May 1767) and Jean (5 March 1760 – 9 March 1760). The three surviving de Valois de Saint-Rémy children, Jacques II (25 July 1751 – 1785), Jeanne, and Marie-Anne (2 October 1757 – 28 April 1836) were neglected, went barefoot, tended the cows, and often found it necessary to beg for food.