The Affair of the Poisons (1677–1682)
The most infamous episode was the "Affair of the Poisons" (L’Affaire des Poisons), a scandal that erupted in the late 1670s involving allegations of widespread poisonings, witchcraft, and black magic among the French aristocracy. This scandal implicated members of the nobility and even some connected to the royal family, threatening to undermine the stability of Louis XIV’s reign.
Background of the Scandal
During the 17th century, poison was a feared and often used method of murder and intrigue among the powerful. It was difficult to detect, and rumors of secret poisoners circulated widely. Paris became the center of a clandestine network of fortune-tellers, alchemists, and poisoners who supplied the wealthy with deadly substances and occult services.
The scandal began with the arrest of a woman named Catherine Monvoisin, known as "La Voisin," who was a fortune-teller and alleged poisoner. Under interrogation, she revealed a complex web of clients who had sought her services for murder or love potions, including members of the aristocracy. shutdown123