Poisons, affair of the

   The affair of the poisons (affaire des poisons) involved a series of poisonings that took place between 1670 and 1680 in Paris and Versailles, discovered as a result of facts revealed at the trial of a celebrated poisoner, Marie-Madeleine d'Aubray, marquise de Brinvilliers. A special chamber, or commission, was convened to inquire into the affair, which reached into the highest places (two nieces of Cardinal maz-arin, the countess of Gramont, the viscountess of Polignac, Marshal de Luxembourg, the playwright jean racine, and even mme de montespan), at which point the public inquest was closed. The principal accused was Catherine Deshayes, known as la Voison, who was accused of having supplied the poison and having practiced sorcery. Thirty-four sentences were imposed as a result of the affair.