France: La Voisin and the Poison Affair

In the glittering court of Louis XIV's France, La Voisin built a criminal empire on the dark art of poisoning. Known for the Affair of the Poisons, she became a notorious figure, weaving crime and mysticism in a tale that scandalized an era. Join Season 36 as Foul Play uncovers serial killers who manipulated history's course. Catherine Monvoisin, or La Voisin, was more than a criminal; she was a mother and a cunning entrepreneur in 17th-century France. Before her descent into infamy, she operated perfectly respectably, providing life advice and fortunetelling services. However, her ambition and shrewdness drew her into the dangerous world of poisons. Examining the significance of La Voisin's crimes reveals how societal desperation and belief in the supernatural could lead many down darker paths. Her story connects today's listeners with the anxieties and struggles of a past era, where power and superstition often went hand in hand. La Voisin's involvement in the Affair of the Poisons implicated nobility in a web of murder and mystery, orchestrated under the guise of spiritual consultations. Her circle would become a network of deadly power brokers until a broader police crackdown led to her trial and execution. The 17th-century French court, a place of great splendor, was also plagued by paranoia and corruption, where tensions ran high between the church's moral authority and the growing power of the monarchy. This era's fascination with alchemy and the occult provided fertile ground for La Voisin's malevolent trade. This episode of Foul Play examines into the investigations and court trials that exposed La Voisin's complex web of criminal activities. Listeners will hear about the interplay of mysticism and realpolitik, and how La Voisin nearly brought down the very monarchy she purported to serve. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypodOur Sponsors:* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy