WXDA Record #776
Narrative of the Escape of the Countess Valois de la Motte, As Stated by Herself.
18 August 1787
Summary
An account by de la Motte of her escape from the Bastile in man's clothes. "The Countess is perhaps the first and only prisoner who ever could find the way out of that place of confinement." "For several months past, the Countess was in possession of the necessary apparatus. . . " When to day arrives, she sends her servant Anne-Marie ahead, and having "agreed upon a place of meeting, dressed herself in man's clothes, cut the front part of her hair in the shape usually worn by Jockeys in Paris; and, thus equipp'd, her head buried as it were in a large round hat, half-boots on her legs, and a small switch in her band [sic], she boldly ventured forth, resolves, and being armed for that purpose, to die rather than be re-taken." After passing through numerous gates and reaching an inner courtyard full of female guards, "She addressed herself to one of them, and disguising both her voice and pronunciation, put a piece of gold into her hand, enquiring for her way to the Chapel, where she arrived at last. . . ." finally escaping with a group and meeting up with Anne-Marie. After travelling in secret many miles, after a few days, "The Countess, being apprehensive lest she should be traced, and her dress described, bought . . . the simple dress of a country girl. The only remaining difficulty was to effect the transformation. For this purpose she left the town where she had thus provided herself, walked on about three leagues, and then leaving the high road, retired behind a hill, and there changed her clothes, hiding amongst the brambles her manly accoutrements.--She the resumed her pedestrian journey."
Full Title
18 Aug 1787. Narrative of the Escape of the Countess Valois de la Motte, As Stated by Herself. Times p. 4 c. A,B.
Publication
Times of London(Times)