This Week in Crime - The Queen of Poison

This Week's Historical Theme: Crime

11 May 1949

A significant event throughout the history of crime that occurred in May is the evidence found against French serial killer, Marie Besnard. On this day, the body of Leon Besnard was exhumed by the French authorities searching for evidence of poison. Marie had married Leon Besnard in 1928 and the couple resented that they lived modest lives compared to their rich relatives. When Leon's great aunts passed away, all their money was left to Leon's parents. The couple hatched a plan, inviting Leon's parents to live with them and shortly after, Leon's father died from eating a bad mushroom, followed by his mother's death 3 months later. The inheritance was split between Leon and his sister, Lucie, who shortly died after having supposedly taken her own life.

The Besnards then began looking outside their immediate family, targeting their cousins as well as boarders they had taken in. For years, the locals were suspicious of the couple as nearly their whole family mysteriously died around them. After Marie fell in love with another man in 1947, Leon was found dead. Early in 1949, law enforcement began to investigate Marie after the death of her mother and on 11 May Leon's body was exhumed by the authorities searching for evidence of poison. Traces of arsenic were found in his body. Arsenic was also found in the rest of her family's corpses but she managed to escape prison as trace evidence was lost. On December 12 1961, she was acquitted and "The Queen of Poison", as the French call her, got away with 13 murders.

Want to find out more information about the history of murder by poison? Click here for more information, or here to find out about 17th century professional poisoner, Giulia Tofana.

Issues of Hijab in France - Macron’s ‘Anti-Separatism’ Bill

Conflict between the French state and French Muslims has been a key area of contention throughout the country's history. Indeed, France is notorious for its various bans against Muslim women's religious clothing in a bid to curb the growing influence of Islam in what they wish to be a secular nation. However, these bans have a longstanding history of leading to an onslaught of controversy and debate. Whilst those who support restrictions on the Islamic veil argue that it opposes the principle of laïcité- or religious neutrality- those against restrictions feel that they discriminate against, and even violate the rights of, Muslims in France, since they limit their freedom to practice their religion in public.

Nowadays, the discussion surrounding the hijab in France is constantly growing more heated; it is likely that this is due to the most recent laws that are being debated at this very moment. Last month, the French Senate voted to approve an amendment banning Muslim women under the age of 18 from wearing the hijab anywhere in public. A second amendment would ban parents from participating in school trips and activities with their children if they are dressed in religious clothing. The ban was proposed by a group of senators from the conservative Republican Party (LR) and the European Democratic and Social Rally group (RDSE). It is true that the ban is not yet law, with France's National Assembly required to sign off on it before it can take effect; however, opposition to the amendment arose instantly, with some suggesting the proposed rule amounted to a "law against Islam".

The French Senate's move comes as part of the country's push to introduce a so-called "anti-separatism" bill, which it says aims to reinforce the policies of secularism and religious neutrality. However, the bill faces widespread criticism from those who argue that it singles out the minority Muslim population. Police would effectively be given the right to harass Muslims- and virtually anyone- wearing clothing deemed inappropriate by the ambiguous wording of the bill. Whilst some say that the bill does not explicitly target the Muslim population- rather, it aims to eradicate all religious symbols from the public sphere- when President Emmanuel Macron first introduced the bill in October 2020, he spoke explicitly about tackling "Islamist separatism," which he described as the French Muslim community's lack of willingness to renounce practicing their religion in public.

Last month, Amnesty International warned that the proposed law posed a "serious attack on rights and freedoms in France", and called for "many problematic provisions" of the bill to be scrapped or amended. The organisation, along with a large number of French Muslims, strongly opposes the ban as it deems it rooted in anti-Islamic sentiment. Now, the issue of the ban is being talked about all over the world, with the hashtag #HandsOffMyHijab circulating widely on social media; Muslims are speaking out against a law that would restrict their rights to freedom of religious expression.

October 29 - The Suez Crisis Begins

This Day in History: 29 October 2020

 

29 October 1956

 

64 years ago, today, the Suez Crisis began when Israel invaded Egypt. They would soon be joined by French and British forces, initiating a serious event during the Cold War in the Middle East. The joint attack had been motivated by Egypt's nationalisation of the Suez Canal in July. Prior to this, also, the Egyptian military had been pressuring the British to end their military presence in the canal zone. The Egyptian leader, General Nasser, had also been engaged in sporadic battles with Israeli soldiers along both nations' border. Nasser did nothing to hide his hostility towards the Zionist nation.

 

After the Israelis attacked, they were shocked to find that British and French forces did not immediately follow behind them. Instead of a lightning strike by overwhelming force, the attack simmered down, and the United Nations quickly passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire. The Soviet Union began to issue ominous threats about coming to Egypt's aid, and a dangerous situation developed. The United States sternly warned the Soviet Union to stay out of the situation, but also pressured the British, French and Israeli governments to withdraw. In late 1956 and early 1957, they did so, ending the Suez Crisis.

 

Want to find out more about the Suez Crisis? Click here for more information, or here for more about General Nasser and Israel.

October 15 - Pierre Laval is Executed

This Day in History: 15 October 2020

 

15 October 1945

 

75 years ago, today, the leader of Nazi-occupied Vichy France, Pierre Laval, was executed by the firing squad for treason against France. Laval had originally been a deputy and senator of pacifist tendencies but shifted to the right in in the 1930s when he was acting as minister of foreign affairs. He had delayed the Soviet-Franco pact of 1935 due to his anti-communist views and wanted to align France instead with Fascist Italy. In 1940, with the German invasion, he used his influence to force an armistice. In the new Vichy state, Laval was dismissed as the minister of state after negotiating privately with Germany.

 

By 1942, Laval won the trust of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. As the premier of Vichy France, Laval collaborated with the Nazi programs of oppression and genocide, transforming into Hitler's puppet. After France was liberated by the Allies, he was forced to flee east for German protection. Once Germany was defeated in May 1945, he fled to many countries but finally surrendered to American authorities in late July. Laval was convicted of treason by the High Court of Justice and condemned to death. He attempted suicide by poison but was nursed back to health for his execution.

 

Want to find out more about Pierre Laval? Click here for more information, or here for a video about his execution.

September 21 - The Abolition of the French Monarchy

This Day in History: 21 September 2020

 

21 September 1792

 

228 years ago, today, the Legislative Assembly in Revolutionary France voted to abolish the monarchy and establish the First Republic. This measure came one year after King Louis XVI reluctantly approved a new constitution that stripped him of much of his power. The National Convention of France, who had announced the abolition, had been instructed to put an end to the crisis that had broken out since the flight to Varennes of Louis XVI in June 1791 and the capture of the Tuileries in August 1792. Their middle-class origin and political activity meant that they held no sympathy for the monarchy. The revolution's first military success at the Battle of Valmy confirmed their convictions.

 

Louis had ascended to the French throne in 1774 and was predisposed to be unsuited to deal with the country's financial problems. In 1789, food shortages and economic crises led to the outbreak of the French Revolution. Louis and his queen, Mary-Antoinette, were both imprisoned, allowing the monarchy to be abolished. Soon after, evidence of Louis' counterrevolutionary interests with other nations were discovered, and he was put on trial for treason. He was condemned to death by guillotine in January 1793. His wife would meet the same fate nine months later.

 

Want to find out more about the abolition of the French monarchy? Click here for more information, or here for more about the French Revolution.

September 17 - King Charles VI of France Expels the Jews

This Day in History: 17 September 2020

 

17 September 1394

 

626 years ago, today, King Charles VI of France ordered all the Jews to be expelled from the kingdom. This order outlived the monarchy and still remains as one of the major contributing factors to the miniscule Jewish population in France. The country had been home to Jews since ancient times, but they had still faced frequent discrimination and persecution. In France, their religious texts were burnt, prejudiced taxes were imposed upon them, and they were scapegoated for the Black Plague. Throughout the past decades, various French cities independently expelled the Jews, but it was not until 1306 and 1394 that the country formally called for them to leave.

 

France did not experience a major Jewish population until the 1700s, when Jews arrived in Alsace and Lorraine while fleeing violence and discrimination. By the eve of the French Revolution, the Jewish population in France was near 40,000. The newly 'enlightened' governments that were in place during the turbulent years after 1789 attempted to gradually restore the Jews' rights to live in France. However, they continued to face discrimination and their numbers around the world and in France were decimated due to the Nazi occupation of France and other nations. Today, roughly one percent of France is Jewish.

 

Want to find out more about the French expulsion of Jews in the 14^th century? Click here for more information, or here for more about the Nazi occupation of France.

September 10 - Last Execution by Guillotine

This Day in History: 10 September 2020

 

10 September 1977

 

43 years, ago, Hamida Djandoubi became the last person executed by the guillotine. He was a Tunisian agricultural worker and was convicted of murder. After moving to Marseille, France, he kidnapped, tortured and murdered his former girlfriend, Élisabeth Bousquet. One month later, he kidnapped another girl who was able to escape and report him to the police. Even though he was the last person executed in France, he was not the last condemned. After capital punishment was abolished in France in 1981, following the election of François Mitterrand, no more executions occurred. Those sentenced to death had their sentences replaced.

 

During the French Revolution, the guillotine first gained fame. Supporters of the machine viewed the devices as more humane than other execution techniques, such as hanging and use of the firing squad. In 1792, a French decapitating machine was built and tested on cadavers, before the first person in Revolutionary France was executed using this method. More than 10,000 people lost their heads by guillotine in this period, including Louis XVI and Mary Antoinette, the former king and queen of France. However, use of the guillotine continued in France in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

 

Want to find out more about the guillotine? Click here for more information, or here for more about the last execution.

The Burkini Ban

After many mayors and resorts in France imposed a ban on theburkini many people were left shocked at how such a progressive and democratic country could have such control over women’s clothing. The ban was met by much disagreement and many discussions on social media with the majority of people disagreeing with it as in today’s society it should be up to a woman herself to choose what she would like to wear and this ban took away that freedom.

This world-wide negative reaction led the courts in Nice to make a statement saying that the ban should be removed as it is seen as controlling and oppressive, they have stated that it is a “serious and manifestly illegal violation of fundamental freedoms”. Those who disagreed with the ban compared a burkini to a diving suit in order to highlight the hypocrisy and the weak grounds for the ban. 

Many of those who support the ban claim that it stems from the fear of terrorism - the ban only started after a terrorist attack on a French resort. However, the French courts said that this was not enough to issue such a ban as there is no connection between a woman wearing a burkini and terrorism.  Overall, the ban was not accepted by the general public with most people being open minded enough to see that by controlling a women’s clothing in such a manner it makes France no different to other oppressive countries. K A-K

French Revolution Guide

This musical guide to the French Revolution may be of interest, especially to AS students!

Henry IV's head

The embalmed head of King Henry IV of France has been rediscovered and confirmed as genuine after a series of scientific tests. After Henry was assassinated in 1610 his head was kept in the royal chapel in Paris until it was ransacked in 1793. The head was then kept in private hands before reappearing in public. One piece of evidence which assisted the scientists was a healed facial wound, left from a previous assassination attempt. Henry played a significant role in French history as he converted to Catholicism when he became King and enacted the Edict of Nantes in 1598, guaranteeing religious freedom and effectively the 36 year long French Wars of Religion. He was given the nickname "Le Vert Galant" or "The Green Galant" which (according to Wikipedia) "is a reference to both his dashing character and his attractiveness to women."

PS: Here are articles on the subject (in French!) from Le Monde and Le Figaro.

De Gaulle's broadcast

President Sarkozy is in the UK today to commemmorate the 70th anniversary of General De Gaulle's broadcast from the BBC studios in London to the French just before France's surrender to the Germans in 1940. The French resistance was inspired by his words - "Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished" - and De Gaulle's leadership was an important feature of the Second World War. See the BBC's report and the Guardian's report at the weekend of a new biography which uncovers Britain's suspicion of De Gaulle. France's celebrations of events during the Second World War tend to be more muted than Britain's due to its Nazi occupation so it is particularly important for it to promote De Gaulle's and the French Resistance's activities.

PS: Here is a fascinating comment from the head of BBC History on the significance of the speech - it is a really important event for the French and Nicolas Sarkozy himself has said 'We are all the children of the 18 June' Here is further comment (in French) from L'Express.

PPS: June 18 also marks the 70th Anniversary of Churchill's "Finest Hour" speech, the third of 3 famous speeches given during his first month as Prime Minister. The Sun have made the most of this occasion as you can see below...

Good King Henri

Today marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Henry IV of France, murdered by a fanatical Catholic angry at his attempts to promote harmony between Protestants and Catholics after the disastrous French Wars of Religion. He remains a popular figure in France, both for his achievements as King and his impressive string of romantic contests, made apparently while "smelling strongly of garlic and feet". Here is an article from the Guardian and here is one (in French!) from the Nouvel Observateur.

Updates: Haiti and Relics

Two interesting recent articles provide further information on topics discussed recently on Nonsuch HP. This quite provocative article in the Times argues that many of Haiti's troubles stem from the legacy of French imperialism. Haiti declared independence in 1804 (it is the second oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere) but was forced to pay a massive fine for the next 122 years. This crippled the economy and left the country vulnerable to weak governments and despotic regimes. In 2004 Jacques Chirac set up a Commission of Reflection to examine France’s historical relations with Haiti. It concluded blandly that the demand for restitution was “non-pertinent in both legal and historical terms".

This article by Simon Jenkins in the Guardian explores the current obsession with historical relics, as seen in the Radio 4 series and David Dimbleby's programme on BBC1. There is even a CBBC programme called Relic where children from Hounslow have to unlock the secrets of historical objects to avoid getting trapped inside the British Museum (has anyone seen this?). Jenkins says, "We once derived mental comfort, uplift and local pride from worshipping saintly relics in church. Now we are supposed to find them in a museum. (Museums) have made the relic more important than themselves, yet requiring their priestly interpretation." What are your thoughts?

Anarchists and Terrorists

Here's an interesting article from the BBC about Emile Henry, an intellectual anarchist who, according to the author, became the first "modern terrorist" when he deliberately targeted innocent members of the public with a bomb in 1894 because they happened to be members of the bourgeoisie. It then goes on to discuss the nature of terrorism and whether even governments can be accused of acting as terrorists. Your thoughts on this, as always, are welcome.