Agnès’s story is an example of the intersection of power, gender, and politics living at a time when women’s influence was exerted behind the thrones of authoritative men.

She was the daughter of the wealthy but unscrupulous financier Étienne Berthelot de Pléneuf which shaped an opulent upbringing for her, that enabled her to advance within the upper echelons of French society.

Her upbringing was during the dominant and long reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, whose court at Versailles was considered the focal point of both French and European power dynamics.

Such a position required a keen skill in social maneuvering, as her status was dependent on pursuing favor with influential figures, such as the king, amidst navigating an environment of conspiracy and competition within the court.

It was expected of such women to navigate the intricate societal hierarchies of the court, using their influence discreetly to sway political decisions and organize valuable unions.

[5] Jeanne Agnès's upbringing was thoroughly influenced by the ancient régime's social stratification, in which ancestry and prestige were a key determinant of one’s status in society.

Before the impacts that came with the French Revolution, this era was characterized by prosperity for the novel, while the commoners bore the burden of substantial taxation and disregard by society.

Among of her initial choices before the Polish princess was Anne of Great Britain and Mademoiselle de Vermandois, the younger sister of the Duke of Bourbon.

[2] Overall scholarly articles support that Berthelot de Pléneuf was highly disliked in French society, viewed as conceited, and her political ambition made her unpopular amongst other ladies at court.

By making her disliked by the public and presenting her as a danger to the state, they forced the prince to disassociate himself from her, and as a result, Madame de Prie and the Duc retreated from the political scene.

Fueled by her family and friends abandoning her quickly after her exile and death, information on Jeanne Agnes Berthelot, Madame Prie remains limited.

A few found media sources that cover her life or are based on her include: Her exile from the court and suicide are the subject of a short fictional work by Stefan Zweig, "Geschichte eines Unterganges" or "Story of a Downfall" (1910).