Cryptology ePrint Archive: Report 2009/166

I shall love you up to the death

Valerie Nachef and Jacques Patarin

Abstract: \begin{abstract} In this paper, we explain the encryption algorithm used by the Queen of France, Marie-Antoinette, to send letters to Axel von Fersen during the French Revolution. We give the complete deciphering of some letters for which we found differences with the text taken from historical books. We also provide the deciphering of one letter that seems to be unknown so far. The results we get bring new proofs on Marie-Antoinette's deep affection for Fersen. Finally, we mention some open questions about Marie-Antoinette's correspondence with Axel von Fersen.

Category / Keywords: secret-key cryptography /

Date: received 9 Apr 2009, last revised 18 Aug 2009

Contact author: valerie nachef at u-cergy fr

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Version: 20090818:072507 (All versions of this report)

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