Gilles de Rais

The marshal who fought alongside Joan of Arc and was later executed for murdering large numbers of children.

Life

Comrade-in-arms of Joan of Arc

Gilles de Rais was a fabulously wealthy Breton magnate. During the Hundred Years' War he helped Joan of Arc relieve Orléans, attended the coronation of Charles VII at Reims, and was made Marshal of France at just 25.

Marshal

After Joan's death he retired to his estates, spending wildly and becoming obsessed with alchemy. In 1440 he was accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing large numbers of children; tried at Nantes, he confessed and was hanged and his body burned.

Trial

Because the trial was run by a duke and a bishop who had land disputes with him, and his confession was obtained under threat of torture, a few scholars think he may have been framed, but most historians still consider him guilty.

Legacy

Gilles de Rais is often considered one of the models for the fairy tale Bluebeard, and his life is one of the darkest mysteries of the Middle Ages.

Did you know? He was one of the youngest marshals in French history.

Key dates

• 1429Relieves Orléans with Joan; made Marshal of France
• 1435Retires to his estates; squanders his fortune
• 1440Put on trial; executed