Giles De Rais

By Crusader1307

 Born in 1405, The Baron Gilles de Rais, one time Marshall of France became the second most prolific serial killers of the Medieval World. Gilles de Rais. Friend to legendary Warrior Joan of Arc, he participated in many well known battles of The Hundred Years War. de Rais was a wealthy Nobleman who many considered a Patriot against The English. With his retirement from military service, de Rais spent much of his time reading and educating himself. He maintained a large Castle in Anjou, France - his place of birth. In this, is where his later Accusers say, he began to study The Occult.

It was said, with the help of multiple servants, de Rais began to allegedly conjure Demons.One in particular, was said to be named "Barrow". The legend says that this Demon promised de Rais, eternal youth, power and great wealth, if he would sacrifice victims in the Demon's name. From 1435 to 1432, de Rais and his servants, allegedly kidnapped and held hundreds of victims (mostly children). Legend states that his victims were sexually brutalized and tortured. Tales of "blood bathing and deviancy", would lead to his eventual arrest in 1432. Denying the charges, de Rais professed his Christianity and belief in God. A search of his Castle and the surrounding region would allegedly yield "hundreds and hundreds" of "skeletal remains". de Rais fell under the control of the dreaded Inquisition.

Sentenced in a Trial that lasted only 2 days, de Rais and his servants were sentenced to death death by both "hanging and burning"- in that order. Gilles de Rais and his servants died horribly. Although hung, he was spared having his body being cremated slowly, allegedly by several Noblewomen, who pleaded for his remains. It was later claimed that his body was buried in the Family tomb in Anjou. Centuries later however, no trace of his remains have ever been found. This led to further stories of the Demon having come to collect his body and soul. Some say that in this, his reward of "immortality" was awarded. He allegedly still lives today.

Many Historians point to the fact, that de Rais was a professed Protestant. The National religion of France then was Catholicism.His Accusers were said to fear his influence with The King. The Monarchy had no Heirs. Perhaps de Rais was being groomed for a position as Regent or even Ruler. Such a change scared Protestant Reformers. The lurid tale was said to have inspired Writer Charles Perrault to use de Rais as the character of a wealthy Nobleman who brutally murders his successive wives, in the 1697 story "Bluebeard".