Sebastiano de Montecuccoli

Count Sebastiano de Montecuccoli, also spelt Montecucoli or Montecuculli (died 7 October 1536) was an Italian nobleman in the service of Francis I of France, executed for allegedly having poisoned the King's eldest son.

[2] A book about toxicology was found in Montecuccoli's possession, and he had previously been in the service of Charles V, but had come to France with Catherine.

Under torture Montecuccoli confessed to having tried to poison King Francis and the Dauphin on behalf of the Emperor.

Later he retracted his confession, but was executed by écartèlement[4] at the Place de la Grenette in Lyon on 7 October 1536.

This manner of execution was reserved for regicides and meant that the victim was torn to pieces by four horses galloping into four different directions.