History has an unsettling way of turning celebrated heroes into figures of horror. Few stories illustrate this as vividly as that of Gilles de Rais (1404–1440), a wealthy French nobleman and one-time war hero who later gained infamy as one of the first documented serial killers in European history.
Born into the influential Laval and Croan families, Gilles inherited immense wealth and titles at a young age. His status only grew when he married a wealthy heiress, further cementing his power and prestige within French aristocracy. Yet it was his role on the battlefield that first earned him national fame.
Fighting Alongside Joan of Arc
During the Hundred Years’ War, Gilles de Rais became a decorated commander. In 1429, he fought at the Siege of Orléans and stood alongside Joan of Arc as she inspired the French army to victory. His bravery was rewarded by King Charles VII, who appointed him as Marshal of France—one of the highest military honors of the kingdom.
To his contemporaries, Gilles was not only a symbol of valor but also a trusted companion of Joan of Arc, whose legendary story has outlived the centuries. But his destiny would take a drastically darker turn after Joan’s capture and execution.
A Descent into Darkness
After leaving military life, Gilles withdrew to his estates in Brittany. At first, he lived lavishly, funding artistic performances, music, and theater with little concern for his dwindling fortune. His family worried as his wealth evaporated, and his obsession with alchemy, occult practices, and “dark sciences” only deepened suspicions.
By the late 1430s, disturbing rumors began circulating. Children started disappearing around his castle. Many were last seen entering his estates, lured by promises of food or money, never to return. Allegedly, Gilles developed an obsession with ritualistic killings, often in the company of an Italian cleric named Francesco Prelati, who claimed to teach him the secrets of summoning demons.
The Trial of 1440
In 1440, accusations reached their peak. Gilles de Rais was arrested and charged with sodomy, heresy, witchcraft, and the abduction, torture, and murder of children. Chroniclers reported that the number of victims might have exceeded 140, though exact figures remain uncertain.
His trial was conducted by both civil and ecclesiastical courts, and under interrogation—likely accompanied by the threat of torture—Gilles confessed to his crimes. He was sentenced to death and executed in October 1440 in Nantes. According to accounts, he was first hanged and then burned, his demise both brutal and symbolic of the horror his name had come to represent.
The Legacy: Killer or Victim of Politics?
The case of Gilles de Rais has fascinated historians for centuries. Was he truly the world’s first recorded serial killer, or was he the victim of a politically motivated conspiracy aimed at seizing his lands and wealth?
Some modern scholars point to the lack of physical evidence and the possibility that his confession was coerced. Others argue that his actions inspired the legendary French folktale of “Bluebeard”, a wealthy nobleman who murdered his wives—a dark reflection of Gilles’ reputation.
In 1992, French writer Gilbert Prouteau staged a symbolic “retrial” and controversially declared Gilles innocent, claiming the charges had been fabricated. However, most serious historians reject this revision, concluding that while the number of victims may have been exaggerated, Gilles de Rais almost certainly committed heinous crimes.
Why Gilles de Rais Still Haunts History
Today, Gilles de Rais remains a chilling reminder of how power, privilege, and unchecked obsessions can transform a celebrated figure into a monster. His story embodies the contradictions of the late Middle Ages—a time of faith and superstition, heroism and cruelty, chivalry and barbarism.
Whether viewed as a tragic fallen hero or as history’s first serial killer, his name endures in the darkest pages of human history.
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