Giulia Tofana: He’s just a guy, poison him with arsenic

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Giulia Tofana, often referred to as the "Queen of Poison," was a notorious figure in 17th-century Italy, known for her dark craft of creating deadly concoctions. Born in the early 17th century, Tofana became infamous for providing poison to women seeking a way out of oppressive marriages or desperate situations. Her story is a fascinating and chilling chapter in the history of poisonings and female empowerment. 

When Guilia was 13, a woman named Thofania d'Amado, who was probably her mother, was executed for poisoning what some have claimed to be her own spouse. Tofana later used her mother's recipe to continue her legacy afterward. Talk about family traditions…

Tofana's life unfolded during a time when women had limited agency and were often trapped in loveless or abusive marriages. The societal norms of the 17th century placed heavy restrictions on women, leaving them with few options for escape. In this environment, Giulia Tofana emerged as an unlikely yet intriguing figure who offered an alternative to those suffering in silence. A saviour or serial killer by proxy?

What set Tofana apart was her expertise in creating poisons that were both deadly and untraceable. The poisonous concoctions became infamous for their efficacy and subtlety. Tofana's clientele primarily consisted of women who sought liberation from oppressive husbands or unwanted suitors. Catcallers bewarned. The toxic substances she supplied allowed these women to escape their dire circumstances, albeit through a dark and dangerous path.

Tofana's notoriety grew as her poisonous trade flourished, and whispers of her activities spread through the streets of Rome. The secrecy surrounding her operation added an air of mystique, as Tofana operated discreetly, avoiding the prying eyes of authorities. Her clandestine network of clients and collaborators helped shield her from the consequences of her deadly trade.

Aqua Tofana was often disguised as “Manna of St Nicholas of Bari,” Which was an ointment for blemishes.

The Queen of Poison's most infamous creation was a poison known as Aqua Tofana. This lethal concoction was colorless, tasteless, and odorless, making it nearly impossible to detect. Its insidious nature allowed those who used it to administer the poison without raising suspicion. The potency of Aqua Tofana made it a weapon of choice for women seeking a way to break free from oppressive relationships. 

Tofana's activities eventually caught the attention of the authorities, and in 1659, her dark empire began to crumble. Accused of being involved in the deaths of numerous individuals, Tofana and her daughter were arrested. Under the threat of torture, Tofana confessed to her crimes and implicated many others. The trial that followed revealed the extent of her deadly enterprise and the desperation that led women to seek her services.

Turns out Tofana couldn’t escape the ultimate cancellation — execution. The tale of the Queen of Poison became a cautionary one, illustrating the extremes to which individuals could be driven when faced with societal constraints and oppression. Tofana's story also raises questions about the blurred line between criminality and desperation, highlighting the lengths some may go to escape untenable situations.

While Tofana's actions were undoubtedly criminal, her story has been revisited and reinterpreted through various lenses. Some see her as a symbol of resistance against a patriarchal society that offered limited options to women. Others view her as a cunning and dangerous criminal who exploited the vulnerabilities of her clients for personal gain. I personally see her as the original girlboss..

Giulia Tofana, the Queen of Poison, remains a compelling and enigmatic figure in history. Her life and deeds provide a glimpse into the challenges faced by women in the 17th century and the extremes to which some were driven in their quest for freedom. The tale of Aqua Tofana serves as a dark reminder of the lengths individuals may go to when confronted with oppressive circumstances.

Hi, my name is Abby Wallingford. I’m currently in my second year in Professional Writing at Algonquin College. I have always been interested in reading and writing. Ever since I was young I have been coming up with ideas and writing them down, even making edits to books I would read in attempts to “make them better”. If I’m not dreaming up a new plot or world for a book, I’m dreaming of traveling to the historic places where my inspiration stems from. I’m fascinated with all things history and mythology and can’t wait to share these grim and grotesque stories of the past with you.

The Papin Sisters: A Tale of Murder, Madness and Sisterly Love?

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Author’s Note: Like today’s traditional romance books, I use humour but, I can also take you down a darker path (know what I mean ladies? *wink*) TW: abuse, neglect, murder, etc. Be forewarned.

The Papin sisters after their arrest. Christine is on the left and Lea is on the right.

In the annals of true crime history, few cases are as chilling and perplexing as the story of the Papin sisters. In 1933, Christine and Léa Papin plead guilty to a gruesome double murder. Revealing a dark tale of abuse, madness, and repressed emotions. The criminal case of the Papin sisters remains a hauntingly tragic story which archives the devastating consequences of a troubled past. 

Born into a working-class family in the small town of Le Mans, France, in the early 1900s, their lives were marked by hardships and unrelenting mental and physical abuse at the hands of their parents. Their childhood left deep scars forcing their relationship with each other to become a refuge from the outside world.

Their mother sent them to Bon Pasteur Catholic Orphanage, which was known for its discipline. During Christine's time at the orphanage, she received the calling to become a nun. Her mother forbade this, instead placing her in employment. Christine had been trained in various household duties in the convent, easing her into becoming a live-in maid. Unsatisfied with their pay, their mother forced them to seek better-paid opportunities.

In 1926, they were hired as live-in maids by the Lancelin family. The family consisted of René and Léonie Lancelin and their adult daughter, Geneviève. Some years after they started working for the family, Léonie developed depression and the Papins became the target of her mental illness. She began to scrutinize their work. There were various occasions of her reportedly physically assaulting them and the abuse worsened: at its peak she would slam the sisters' heads against the wall.

TRIGGER WARNING: IMAGE OF MURDER VICTIMS

FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CRIME SCENE.

The tension in the Lancelin household reached a boiling point on the night of February 2, 1933. What happened that night remains the subject of debate, but some sources say that René was to meet Léonie and Genevieve for dinner at the home of a family friend after the two went shopping. When they returned home the sisters explained to Léonie that a power outage had been caused by Christine plugging in a faulty iron. Léonie became irritated and attacked the sisters on the first-floor landing. Christine lunged at Genevieve and gouged her eyes out. Léa joined in the struggle and attacked Léonie, gouging her eyes out as ordered by Christine. Christine ran downstairs and retrieved a knife and a hammer. At some point, one of the sisters grabbed a heavy pewter pitcher and used it to strike the heads of both the women. In the midst of the rage, they mutilated the buttocks and thighs of the victims. Seriously folks, I’m giving you a glimpse into how deeply these two snapped. 

When René arrived at his friend's home, he found that his family was not there. He immediately returned home to find the front door bolted shut from the inside, leaving him unable to enter the house. Frantic, he then went to a local police station to summon help from an officer. The policeman made entry into the home by climbing over the garden wall.

Once inside, he found the bodies of Léonie and Genevieve. Thinking that the Papin sisters had met the same fate, the policeman continued upstairs only to find the door to their room locked. After the officer knocked but received no response, he summoned a locksmith to open the door. Inside the room, he found the sisters naked in bed together, and a bloody hammer on a chair nearby. Under questioning, the sisters immediately confessed to the killing, in self defense.

The sisters' lawyers argued that they were driven to madness by the oppressive working conditions and the abuse they suffered at the hands of the Lancelin family. Their actions, they maintained, were a result of years of pent-up anger and childhood trauma. The court ultimately found them guilty of the murders. Léa, thought to be under the influence of her older sister, was given a 10-year sentence. Christine was initially sentenced to death at the guillotine, although that sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. But soon she began to starve herself and died as a result in 1937.

The case of the Papin sisters is a haunting and tragic chapter in the annals of true crime. Their lives were marked by hardship and abuse, leading to a horrifying crime that shocked France. The story of sisters continues to raise questions about the limits of human endurance and the devastating consequences of a troubled past. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of recognizing and addressing issues of abuse and mistreatment in the workplace, and the far-reaching impact of repressed emotions and unresolved trauma.

Hi, my name is Abby Wallingford. I’m currently in my second year in Professional Writing at Algonquin College. I have always been interested in reading and writing. Ever since I was young I have been coming up with ideas and writing them down, even making edits to books I would read in attempts to “make them better”. If I’m not dreaming up a new plot or world for a book, I’m dreaming of traveling to the historic places where my inspiration stems from. I’m fascinated with all things history and mythology and can’t wait to share these grim and grotesque stories of the past with you.

Let’s Have a Chat About the Scold's Bridle

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History has a way of revealing some of the most bizarre and fascinating relics from the past. One such artifact is the Scold's Bridle, a device that seems like it came straight out of a twisted medieval comedy. But it was very real, and it sheds light on a time when women’s voices were brutally silenced – both literally and metaphorically.

 Now, I’d never kink shame someone, but this contraption is not what you think. Get your mind out of the gutter. Let’s set the record straight. Imagine a time when women were silenced, quite literally, by a peculiar form of punishment known as the Scold's Bridle. This contraption, also known as the "gossip's bridle" or "brank's bridle," was designed to humiliate and restrict those deemed too talkative or troublesome in the eyes of society. Oh, those Chatty Cathys!

Women who disrupted their neighbours' peace by loud argumentation, gossip, offensive speech, or physical altercation were referred to as "scolds" under the law. I think we call them Karens now?

Bridles were in fact illegal and could not be used to chastise people deemed to be scolds. Yet, during the 16th and 17th centuries, local magistrates in Scotland and England, used these devices. Methinks, the men used their positions of power to pout and act out? 

The scold's bridle was a component of a larger culture of fear of witches, prostitutes, "shrews," and other unorthodox women who didn't want to play the role of quiet, subservient wives.

The Scold's Bridle consisted of a metal mask that enclosed the wearer's head. It's said that some Scold's Bridles had added features: some, a small bell attached to the front. Not only did it silence the wearer, but it also called for more looks and shame. Others featured a cruel assortment of spikes and a protruding metal plate that rested on the tongue, making speech impossible and would cause the wearer’s tongue to be cut if they tried to speak. Wow, the sheer number of men I’d love to strap this to. I know, I know…it’s cruel…still though.

Wearing a Scold's Bridle was not only uncomfortable but also incredibly embarrassing. Picture the poor individual paraded through town squares, often attached to a post, with the bridle in place. It was the medieval equivalent of a public social media shaming.

At the dawn of the Victorian Era, however, this form of punishment started to fall out of fashion. A judge ordered an iron brank destroyed in 1821 as he, like other Victorians, increasingly saw them as old-fashioned and absurd. That said, the last recorded use of a Scold’s Bride took place 30 years later in 1856. Incredibly, the crime of being a 'scold' was not dropped from the statute books in Britain until 1967.

The Scold's Bridle is a peculiar piece of history that serves as a stark reminder of how society has evolved. While it may have been used as a means of control and humiliation in the past, we can't help but chuckle at the sheer absurdity of this invention. Thankfully, modern times have given us more humane methods of dealing with chatterboxes and troublemakers, proving that laughter is indeed the best way to overcome the strangest and most disturbing relics of the past.

Hi, my name is Abby Wallingford. I’m currently in my second year in Professional Writing at Algonquin College. I have always been interested in reading and writing. Ever since I was young I have been coming up with ideas and writing them down, even making edits to books I would read in attempts to “make them better”. If I’m not dreaming up a new plot or world for a book, I’m dreaming of traveling to the historic places where my inspiration stems from. I’m fascinated with all things history and mythology and can’t wait to share these grim and grotesque stories of the past with you.