PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
Alluye, Bénigne, Marquise de Friend of Comtesse de Soissons who accompanied her on her visit to la Voisin. Fled France with Comtesse de Soissons January 1680
Amy, Monsieur D’ Officer in Provençal Parlement, posthumously alleged to have wanted to poison Colbert
Aubray, Antoine Dreux d’ Civil Lieutenant of the city of Paris. Father and first victim of Mme de Brinvilliers. Died 10 September 1666
Aubray, Antoine d’ Eldest brother and second victim of Mme deBrinvilliers. Succeeded father as Civil Lieutenant of the city of Paris. Died 17 June 1670
Aubray, François d’ Conseiller in Paris Parlement. Younger brother and third victim of Mme de Brinvilliers. Poisoned September 1670
Bachimont, Roger, Seigneur de Alchemist and associate of Vanens arrested May 1678. Suspected of poisoning Duke of Savoy. Imprisoned for life
Bachimont, Mme Marie de Wife to the above
Barenton, Mathurin Accused of having traded in poisons and being involved in plot to poison King. Executed September 1681
Belleguise Clerk of Pennautier and associate of Sainte-Croix. Went missing after the arrest of Mme de Brinvilliers, but arrested August 1676. Though he was widely suspected of having acted as an intermediary between Pennautier and Sainte-Croix he was convicted only of handling counterfeit money and banished for a short period
Bellière, la Divineress. Allegedly Mme Chapelain had wanted to send her to the Caribbean to commune with the devil. La Bellière alleged that la Filastre had offered her large sum of money to deliver something to Mme de Montespan, but she had refused, fearing hanging
Belot, François Member of the royal guard, convicted of having tried to poison M. de Poulaillon’s silver cup. Executed June 1679
Bergerot, Martine Illiterate divineress alleged to have arranged for pact drawn up by la Filastre for Duchesse de Vivonne to be signed by spirit
Bertrand Friend of Romani, alleged to have been his accomplice in plot to poison Mlle de Fontanges
Bezons, Louis Bazin, Seigneur de Commissioner of Chambre Ardente who served alongside La Reynie as investigating magistrate in the Affair of the Poisons, and rapporteur to the Chamber
Blessis, Denis Poculot, Sieur de Alchemist lover of la Voisin. In late 1678 the Marquis de Termes had detained Blessis in his chateau in hopes that Blessis would furnish him with the secret of the Philosopher’s Stone. The petition which la Voisin sought to present to the King in March 1679 requested that Termes be ordered to release Blessis. Condemned to galleys by Chamber
Bonnard, Pierre Man of business to Maréchal de Luxembourg. In bid to recover documents for his master, employed Lesage to cast spells. Sent to galleys by Chamber, May 1680
Bosse, Marie Divineress arrested January 1679 after boasting at a dinner party that she had grown rich from supplying poison. Burnt May 1679
Bossuet, Jacques Bénigne Bishop of Condom, preceptor of Dauphin and celebrated preacher
Bouillon, Marie-Anne, Duchesse de Sister of the Comtesse de Soissons and wife of King’s Great Chamberlain. Visited la Voisin and Lesage, and alleged to have expressed wish that her husband would die
Briancourt, Jean-Baptiste Tutor to Mme de Brinvilliers’s children who became her lover. Subsequently testified against her at her trial
Brinvilliers, Marie Madeleine, Marquise de Murderess executed July 1676 for poisoning her father and two brothers
Brissart, Mme Marie Widow of Conseiller in Parlement. Alleged by la Voisin to have wanted to poison her sister. Lesage performed magic spells on her behalf to enable her to capture the heart of Captain Rubantel
Broglio, Mme de, formerly Marquise de Canilhac Alleged to have poisoned first husband with aid of la Voisin. Never arrested as had left France
Bussy, Roger de Rabutin, Comte de Cousin of Mme de Sévigné exiled from Paris 1666 for having written scurrilous novel. Kept in touch with friends at court by letter
Cadelan, Pierre Banker associate of Vanens.
Morgan Parker
Kelley Armstrong
Heather Graham
Ron Hansen
Sally Mason
Chrystalla Thoma
Deborah Bladon
Ariella Papa
Kevin Barry
Sean Williams