Nicholas de la Motte (Bar-sur-Aube 29 July 1755 – Paris 6 November 1831), born Marc Antoine-Nicolas de la Motte, was a French adventurer known for his part as a swindler in the affair of the diamond necklace. He was the husband of Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Remy, whom he married on 6 June 1780.

Marc Antoine-Nicolas de La Motte

He claimed to be a nobleman and gave himself the title of Comte (Count). However, his claim to nobility was dubious.

At the time of his marriage, he was known only as an officer of the gendarmes.[1] Through his wife's influence on her paramour, the Cardinal de Rohan, he later obtained a commission as the Count of Artois's bodyguard.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ André Castelot "Queen of France", page 202
  2. ^ Vincent Cronin "Louis and Antoinette", page 239