'Celebrated Crimes, Vol. 5: Part 2: La Constantin' Summary

In 'Celebrated Crimes', Volume 5, Part 2: La Constantin, Alexandre Dumas unveils the story of Marie La Roux Constantin, a woman infamous in 17th-century France as 'La Dame Constantin'. While known as a midwife to the royal court, she was also a practitioner of abortions, providing clandestine services to women caught in the web of affairs and manipulations of powerful nobles. Dumas paints a vivid picture of the era's social and legal landscape, exposing the hypocrisy and gender inequality prevalent in the French court. He details the court intrigues and scandalous affairs that led to La Constantin's downfall, highlighting the lack of evidence and the biased legal procedures that condemned her to execution. The case of La Constantin serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by women, particularly those of lower social standing, in navigating a system dominated by men. Dumas' narrative is compelling and insightful, weaving together historical facts, social commentary, and dramatic storytelling to expose the complexities of justice and the enduring consequences of power imbalances.