The Affair of the Poisons
Subtitle: murder, infanticide and satanism at the court of Louis XIV
By: Anne Somerset.
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; Orion Publishing Group, Limited
Published: 2003
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 377
Subjects: Brinvilliers, Marie-Madeleine Gobelin, marquise de, 1630-1676 -- Death and burial.; Montespan, Françoise-Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart, marquise de, 1641-1707.; Poisoning -- France -- History -- 17th century.; Trials (Murder) -- France -- History -- 17th century.; Murder -- France -- History -- 17th century.; France -- Court and courtiers -- History -- 17th century.; France -- History -- Louis XIV, 1643-1715.
Description: "The Affair of the Poisons, as it became known, was an extraordinary episode that took place in France during the reign of Louis XIV. When poisoning and black magic became widespread, arrests followed. Suspects included those among the highest ranks of society. Many were tortured and numerous executions resulted." "Anne Somerset has gone back to original sources, letters and earlier accounts of the affair. By the end of her account she reaches firm conclusions on various crucial matters. The Affair of the Poisons is an enthralling account of a sometimes bizarre period in French history."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 354-362) and index.