Chapters 6 and 7 Summary and Analysis

Antoinette was ill-prepared for the intrigue of the French court, Erickson writes in chapter six. She had an ally in County Mercy and King Louis XV was charmed by the young dauphine, but his attentions were taken by his mistress, Madame du Barry, who at this time was exercising considerable influence over the King and his court.

Madame du Barry was a former prostitute whom Louis XV had arranged to marry one of his courtiers, thus elevating her into the court society. He made her his official mistress, presenting her formally at court. She soon set her sights on Antoinette and her small faction of supporters, cutting her down and snubbing those she considered Antoinette's friends. Opponents of Madame du Barry, such as the king's sisters, sought to align themselves with Antoinette and encourage her to participate in the...