Exili (17th century) was an

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

chemist and poisoner. His real name was probably Nicolò Egidi. Few authentic details of his life exist. Tradition, however, credits him with having been originally the salaried poisoner at Rome of Olympia Maidalchina, the sister-in-law of

Pope Innocent X Pope Innocent X ( la, Innocentius X; it, Innocenzo X; 6 May 1574 – 7 January 1655), born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj (or Pamphili), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 September 1644 to his death in Januar ...

. Subsequently, he became a gentleman in waiting to Queen Christina of Sweden, whose taste for chemistry may have influenced this appointment. In 1663 his presence in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

aroused the suspicions of the French government, and he was imprisoned in the

Bastille The Bastille (, ) was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in the internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France. It was stor ...

. Here he is said to have made the acquaintance of

Godin de Sainte-Croix Godin may refer to: ;Places * Godin, Doulougou, a village in the Doulougou Department of Kouritenga Province in Burkina Faso * Godin (Gounghin), a village in the Gounghin Department of Kouritenga Province in Burkina Faso * Godin, Bissiga, a vil ...

, the lover of the marquise de Brinvilliers. After three months of imprisonment, powerful influences secured Exili's release, and he left France for

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. In 1681 he was again in Italy, where he married the countess Fantaguzzi, second cousin of Duke

Francesco II Francesco II may refer to: * Francesco II Ordelaffi (1300–1386) * Francesco II of Lesbos (c. 1365 – 1403/1404) * Francesco II Acciaioli (died 1460), last Duke of Athens * Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua (1466–1519), ruler of the Ita ...

of Modena.

Notes

References

* Affair of the Poisons 17th-century Italian scientists Court of Christina, Queen of Sweden Italian chemists Italian murderers Italian people imprisoned abroad Italian serial killers Male serial killers Poisoners Prisoners and detainees of France Prisoners of the Bastille Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown Murder in 1663 {{Italy-scientist-stub