Everyone loves a good conspiracy -- especially when it has a little truth to it. In 1670s Paris a group of career poisoners are discovered to have sold poison to thousands of citizens – including the most powerful people in France. Part 1 of 2. Tune in for the conclusion on Nov.

At the turn of the century the American frontier considered the woman criminal a double exception in society. Uncommon and uncouth, many were placed in penitentiary systems created by men, controlled by men – and with predominantly male prisoners. This is their story.

How has mental illness affected history? In the case of the Crown Prince Sado, it's tragic. In 1762, the prince was sealed in a rice chest by his own father for eight days and left to die for his crimes. This is the tragic story of his mental illness that led to the death of dozens of innocents, all chronicled by his late widow.

Most true crime investigates the past hundred years. We investigate the rest of it. Welcome to High Crimes and History.