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Within days of Cangrande's death in the 14th century, rumours began circulating that the Italian ruler had been deliberately poisoned.

And now toxicological tests carried out on the exhumed body of the Lord of Verona claim to have confirmed these historical reports.

Fatal concentrations of digitoxin from the foxglove plant was found in the liver and faeces of the body, and experts believe the most likely explanation was that he was fed the flower surreptitiously.

Researchers from the University of Pisa studied the toxicology of Cangrande's mummified remains. The body was exhumed and unwrapped (left to right) in 2004. During the recent analysis, experts found presence of pollen grains from the poisonous flower foxglove, and toxic levels of digitoxin in liver and faecal samples

The mummy of Can Francesco della Scala, or Cangrande I, was exhumed from its tomb in the church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Verona in 2004.

It was submitted to a multidisciplinary study, that included archaeological, palaeopathological - the study of ancient diseases - palynological – the study of pollens - toxicological and historical tests.

In the tomb, researchers discovered a well-preserved mummified body (pictured), wrapped in silk. He was on his back with his arms folded

Inside the mummy, researchers discovered a well-preserved body, wrapped in silk.

Cangrande was lying on his back with his arms folded across his chest.

The 5ft 7in (1.7 metre) mummy was initially studied using a CT scanner, which identified regurgitated food in the throat, as well as signs of sinusitis.

Signs of mild arthritis were additionally found in his elbows and hips, along with evidence of cirrhosis and tuberculosis.

Following an abdominal CT scan, the researchers spotted evidence of faeces in the rectum.

For the more recent study, Gino Fornaciaria from the University of Pisa studied the toxicology of the mummified remains, and this faeces in particular.

Preliminary analysis found presence of pollen grains from the foxglove flower, known as Digitalis, and traces of camomile and black mulberry.

Toxicological analysis revealed toxic concentrations of digoxin and digitoxin, from Digitalis, in the liver and faecal samples.

Professor Fornaciaria added that gastrointestinal symptoms spotted during this autopsy 'were compatible with the early phase of Digitalis intoxication and the hypothesis of poisoning is mentioned by some local historical sources.'

The study continued that palaeopathological analysis also confirmed Digitalis poisoning.

Professor Fornaciari concluded that his tests suggest the Digitalis was administered orally, and that 'the most likely hypothesis on the causes of death is that of a deliberate administration of a lethal amount of Digitalis.'

Although it is not known who would have fed Cangrande the flower, it has been speculated as someone who objected to his reign, and could have been a leader or member of an opposition military faction.  

Cangrande della Scala was exhumed from its tomb in the church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Verona (marked). His body was submitted to a multidisciplinary study, that included archaeological, palaeopathological - the study of ancient diseases - palynological – the study of pollens - and toxicological tests

WHO WAS CANGRANDE DELLA SCALA?

Can Francesco della Scala, or Cangrande, was a member of the della Scala family dynasty. Statue at the Museum of Castelvecchio in Verona pictured

Can Francesco della Scala, or Cangrande, was a member of the della Scala family dynasty.

The dynasty dominated Veronese politics from the mid-13th until the end of the 14th century.

Cangrande's reign in Verona began in 1311, and following a number of military campaigns, he added Vicenza and Padua to his empire in 1314 and 1318 respectively.

He was often referred to as the Lord of Verona.

On 18 July 1328 Cangrande, took over the city of Treviso following a long battle to occupy the region of Veneto, in northern Italy. 

He died four days later.

During those four days, Cangrande suffered vomiting and diarrhoea with a fever that, according to written documents, he had contracted a few days before by 'drinking from a polluted spring'.

But rumours about poisoning began to spread shortly afterwards.

In 2004, Cangrande's tomb in the church of Saint Maria Antiqua was opened to allow a paleopathological study to be carried out on the body.

The researchers discovered a well-preserved mummified body, wrapped in silk. Cangrande was lying on his back with his arms folded across his chest.

The 5ft 7in (1.7 metre) mummy was initially studied using a CT scanner, which identified regurgitated food in the throat, as well as signs of sinusitis.

He additionally showed signs of mild arthritis in his elbows and hips, cirrhosis and may have suffered from tuberculosis.

Following an abdominal CT scan, the researchers found evidence of faecal matter in the rectum, which formed the basis for the recent toxicological tests.

Put simply, he believes Cangrande was deliberately poisoned by being fed foxglove surreptitiously.

Although, he did explain that Cangrande could have mistakenly eaten the flower, along with the other plants found in his remains.

During recent tests, Gino Fornaciaria from the University of Pisa studied the toxicology of the mummified remains.

Preliminary analysis found presence of pollen grains from the foxglove flower, known as Digitalis, and traces of camomile and black mulberry.

Preliminary analysis found presence of pollen grains from the foxglove flower, known as Digitalis, (left) and traces of camomile and black mulberry (right) in the remains. Further analysis revealed toxic concentrations of digoxin and digitoxin, from Digitalis, in the liver and faecal samples

Cangrande's abdomen during the autopsy is pictured left. The well-preserved liver is pictured right. Researchers concluded that the Digitalis found in Cangrande's system was administered orally, and 'the most likely hypothesis on the causes of death is that of a deliberate administration of a lethal amount of Digitalis'

Toxicological analysis revealed toxic concentrations of digoxin and digitoxin, from Digitalis, in the liver and faeces samples.

He added that gastrointestinal symptoms spotted during this autopsy 'are compatible with the early phase of Digitalis intoxication and the hypothesis of poisoning is mentioned by some local historical sources.'

The study continued that palaeopathological analysis also confirmed Digitalis poisoning.

Professor Fornaciari concluded that his tests suggest that the Digitalis was administered orally. 

And, he said that 'the most likely hypothesis on the causes of death is that of a deliberate administration of a lethal amount of Digitalis.'

Put simply, he believes Cangrande was deliberately poisoned by being fed foxglove surreptitiously.

Although, he did explain that Cangrande could have mistakenly eaten the flower, along with the other plants found in his remains. 

The chamomile pollen is pictured left, and the Digitalis traces found in the rectum is shown right. Experts believe Cangrande was deliberately poisoned by being fed foxglove surreptitiously. Although, they did explain that he could have mistakenly eaten the flower, along with the other plants found in his remains

This image shows the CT scan results of the abdomen and liver. The arrows point to where faeces was found in the rectal ampulla. This sample was used to test for signs of chemicals and other compounds