Editing Gilles de Rais (section)

==Private life==
In 1435, de Rais gradually withdrew from military and public life in order to pursue his own interests: the construction of a splendid Chapel of the Holy Innocents (where he officiated in robes of his own design),<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|p=123}}</ref> and the production of a theatrical spectacle called ''Le Mistère du Siège d'Orléans''. The play consisted of more than 20,000 lines of verse, requiring 140 speaking parts and 500 extras. De Rais was almost bankrupt at the time of the production and began selling property as early as 1432 to support his extravagant lifestyle. By March 1433, he had sold all his estates in Poitou (except those of his wife) and all his property in Maine. Only two castles in [[Anjou]], Champtocé-sur-Loire and Ingrandes, remained in his possession. Half of the total sales and mortgages were spent on the production of his play. The spectacle was first performed in Orléans on 8 May 1435. Six hundred costumes were constructed, worn once, discarded, and constructed afresh for subsequent performances. Unlimited supplies of food and drink were made available to spectators at de Rais' expense.<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|pp=128–133}}</ref>

In June 1435, family members gathered to put a curb on de Rais. They appealed to Pope Eugene IV to disavow the Chapel of the Holy Innocents (which he refused to do) and carried their concerns to the king. On 2 July 1435, a royal edict was proclaimed in Orléans, Tours, Angers, Pouzauges, and Champtocé-sur-Loire denouncing de Rais as a spendthrift and forbidding him from selling any further property. No subject of Charles VII was allowed to enter into any contract with him, and those in command of his castles were forbidden to dispose of them. de Rais' credit fell immediately and his creditors pressed upon him. He borrowed heavily, using his ''objets d'art'', manuscripts, books and clothing as security. When he left Orléans in late August or early September 1435, the town was littered with precious objects he was forced to leave behind. The edict did not apply to Brittany, and the family was unable to persuade the Duke of Brittany to enforce it.<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|p=135}}</ref>