Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 4 Being the Historic Memoirs of Madam Campan, First Lady in Waiting to the Queen

"Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 4" by Mme. Campan unveils the opulent and precarious world surrounding Queen Marie Antoinette through the observant eyes of her First Lady in Waiting. The narrative intricately depicts the life at court, exploring the delicate dance of political maneuvers, the nuanced relationships between royal figures, and the significant happenings that molded the Queen's reign in France. Readers witness the Queen's strength and weaknesses as she navigates the complicated social structure and rising conflicts, all evidenced by incidents such as soverign visits, anxiety during formal receptions, and the scandal caused by the Cardinal de Rohan. The author shows the Queen's personal complexities which include charitable acts during a brutal winter, and paints a stark picture of the monarchy on the brink of the French Revolution.