Affair of the Poisons

Catherine Deshayes, "La Voisin", 17th-century print of her portrait held by a winged devil
Gabriel Nicolas de la Reynie (1625–1709), 17th century print by Mignard
Marie Madeleine Marguerite d'Aubray, Marquise of Brinvilliers, 1676, after her imprisonment, portrait by Charles LeBrun
Madame de Montespan

The Affair of the Poisons (French: affaire des poisons) was a major murder scandal in France during the reign of King Louis XIV. Between 1677 and 1682, a number of prominent members of the aristocracy were implicated and sentenced on charges of poisoning and witchcraft. The scandal reached into the inner circle of the king. It led to the execution of 36 people.[1]

  1. ^ The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV (St. Martin's Press (12 October 2003) ISBN 0-312-33017-0)