After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal The Servants' Revenge: Arsenic & a Poisoned Pint of Beer
Mar 3, 2025
Dr. Blessin Adams, an author and former police constable, dives into the chilling tale of two servants in 1675 Plymouth who poisoned their entire household with arsenic. She explores the roles of women in domestic poisoning and the complex dynamics of betrayal and manipulation at play. The conversation reveals how societal fears surrounding women and crime have evolved, and the historical injustices faced by female killers. Insightful and macabre, this discussion sheds light on a haunting chapter in the annals of crime.
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The Pilchard Dispute
- Elizabeth Weeks calls Philippa Carey a whore, accusing her of sleeping with William.
- This argument over pilchards leads to Philippa plotting revenge.
Women and Poison
- Women were associated with poison in the early modern period due to their access to ingredients and knowledge.
- Their role in food preparation and medicine made poison a seemingly "woman's alchemy."
Poison's Perceived Gender
- Poisoning was an equal opportunity crime, committed by both men and women.
- Yet it was perceived as a "woman's crime" due to its passive nature and association with domestic spaces.