Gilles de Rais: Difference between revisions

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{{Important}}{{Villain Infobox|name=Gilles de Rais|Image=Gilles de Rais gravure.jpg|alias=BlueBeard|origin=Champtocé-sur-Loire, Kingdom of France|type of villain=Pedophile serial killer of the aristocracy|fullname=Gilles de Montmorency-Laval}}{{Quote|The boy was pampered and dressed in better clothes than he had ever known. The evening began with a large meal and heavy drinking, particularly hippocras, which acted as a stimulant. The boy was then taken to an upper room to which only Gilles and his immediate circle were admitted. There he was confronted with the true nature of his situation. The shock thus produced on the boy was an initial source of pleasure for Gilles|Jean Benedetti (1971 biography of Gilles de Rais)}}

{{Important}}{{Villain Infobox|name=Gilles de Rais|Image=Gilles de Rais gravure.jpg|alias=BlueBeard|origin=Champtocé-sur-Loire, Kingdom of France|type of villain=Pedophile serial killer of the aristocracy|fullname=Gilles de Montmorency-Laval|crimes=[[Murder]]

'''Gilles de Rais''' (September ~~10th~~, ~~1404~~ - October ~~26th~~, 1440) was a Breton Knight active in ~~1404~~ until ~~1440~~ and was infamous for being a prolific serial-killer, mainly of children. Gilles was also a practitioner of the occult and indeed it was a violent incident with a clergyman that ultimately exposed the knight for his true nature and as a result on the 26th October 1440, he was hanged for his crimes. Due to the nature of his crimes, Gilles has become somewhat infamous and is said to be one of the inspirations for [http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard].

[[Torture]]

[[Misogyny]]

[[Misandry]]

[[Kidnapping]]

[[Rape]]

[[Necrophilia]]

[[Cannibalism]] }}{{Quote|The boy was pampered and dressed in better clothes than he had ever known. The evening began with a large meal and heavy drinking, particularly hippocras, which acted as a stimulant. The boy was then taken to an upper room to which only Gilles and his immediate circle were admitted. There he was confronted with the true nature of his situation. The shock thus produced on the boy was an initial source of pleasure for Gilles|Jean Benedetti (1971 biography of Gilles de Rais)}}

'''Gilles de Rais''' (September 4, 1405 - October 26, 1440) was a Breton Knight active in 1420 until 1435 and was infamous for being a prolific serial-killer, mainly of children. Gilles was also a practitioner of the occult and indeed it was a violent incident with a clergyman that ultimately exposed the knight for his true nature and as a result on the 26th October 1440, he was hanged for his crimes. Due to the nature of his crimes, Gilles has become somewhat infamous and is said to be one of the inspirations for [http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard].

Gilles de Rais was said to be extremely sadistic and a pedophile who took sexual pleasure out of the murder of children, although some at the time claimed he was a victim of the church. Most modern historians have agreed he was most likely a catholic who gave into criminality and depravity later in life, although a practitioner of the occult, Gilles was said to of actually been quite disappointed and angry with the occult since none of the promised wealth or magic his occult advisors promised him came to fruitation.

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Gilles de Rais, due to his knightly status, was still granted a proper burial despite his horrendous crimes and a monument to him remained until its destruction during the French Revolution.

Gilles de Rais is believed to be the inspiration for the 1697 fairy tale "[[Bluebeard]]" ("Barbebleu") by Charles Perrault. His life is the subject of several modern novels, and referenced in a number of rock bands' albums and songs.

Gilles de Rais is believed to be the inspiration for the 1697 fairy tale "[[Bluebeard]]" ("Barbebleu") by Charles Perrault. His life is the subject of several modern novels, and referenced in a number of rock bands' albums and songs. He killed for at least 100 people but its believe that he killed as many as 1000 people.

==Early life==

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==Private life==

In 1434/5, 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. Gilles 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 Gilles' expense.<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|pp=128–133}}</ref>

In 1434 or 1435, 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. Gilles 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 Gilles' expense.<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|pp=128–133}}</ref>

In June 1435, family members gathered to put a curb on Gilles. 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 Gilles 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. Gilles' 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>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Important}}{{Villain Infobox|name=Gilles de Rais|Image=Gilles de Rais gravure.jpg|alias=BlueBeard|origin=Champtocé-sur-Loire, Kingdom of France|type of villain=Pedophile serial killer of the aristocracy|fullname=Gilles de Montmorency-Laval}}{{Quote|The boy was pampered and dressed in better clothes than he had ever known. The evening began with a large meal and heavy drinking, particularly hippocras, which acted as a stimulant. The boy was then taken to an upper room to which only Gilles and his immediate circle were admitted. There he was confronted with the true nature of his situation. The shock thus produced on the boy was an initial source of pleasure for Gilles|Jean Benedetti (1971 biography of Gilles de Rais)}}
+{{Important}}{{Villain Infobox|name=Gilles de Rais|Image=Gilles de Rais gravure.jpg|alias=BlueBeard|origin=Champtocé-sur-Loire, Kingdom of France|type of villain=Pedophile serial killer of the aristocracy|fullname=Gilles de Montmorency-Laval|crimes=[[Murder]]<br>
-'''Gilles de Rais''' (September 10th, 1404 - October 26th, 1440) was a Breton Knight active in 1404 until 1440 and was infamous for being a prolific serial-killer, mainly of children. Gilles was also a practitioner of the occult and indeed it was a violent incident with a clergyman that ultimately exposed the knight for his true nature and as a result on the 26th October 1440, he was hanged for his crimes. Due to the nature of his crimes, Gilles has become somewhat infamous and is said to be one of the inspirations for [http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard].
+[[Torture]]<br>
+[[Misogyny]]<br>
+[[Misandry]]<br>
+[[Kidnapping]]<br>
+[[Rape]]<br>
+[[Necrophilia]]<br>
+[[Cannibalism]]<br>}}{{Quote|The boy was pampered and dressed in better clothes than he had ever known. The evening began with a large meal and heavy drinking, particularly hippocras, which acted as a stimulant. The boy was then taken to an upper room to which only Gilles and his immediate circle were admitted. There he was confronted with the true nature of his situation. The shock thus produced on the boy was an initial source of pleasure for Gilles|Jean Benedetti (1971 biography of Gilles de Rais)}}
+'''Gilles de Rais''' (September 4, 1405 - October 26, 1440) was a Breton Knight active in 1420 until 1435 and was infamous for being a prolific serial-killer, mainly of children. Gilles was also a practitioner of the occult and indeed it was a violent incident with a clergyman that ultimately exposed the knight for his true nature and as a result on the 26th October 1440, he was hanged for his crimes. Due to the nature of his crimes, Gilles has become somewhat infamous and is said to be one of the inspirations for [http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/Bluebeard Bluebeard].
 Gilles de Rais was said to be extremely sadistic and a pedophile who took sexual pleasure out of the murder of children, although some at the time claimed he was a victim of the church. Most modern historians have agreed he was most likely a catholic who gave into criminality and depravity later in life, although a practitioner of the occult, Gilles was said to of actually been quite disappointed and angry with the occult since none of the promised wealth or magic his occult advisors promised him came to fruitation.
@@ Line 6: / Line 13: @@
 Gilles de Rais, due to his knightly status, was still granted a proper burial despite his horrendous crimes and a monument to him remained until its destruction during the French Revolution.
-Gilles de Rais is believed to be the inspiration for the 1697 fairy tale "[[Bluebeard]]" ("Barbebleu") by Charles Perrault. His life is the subject of several modern novels, and referenced in a number of rock bands' albums and songs.
+Gilles de Rais is believed to be the inspiration for the 1697 fairy tale "[[Bluebeard]]" ("Barbebleu") by Charles Perrault. His life is the subject of several modern novels, and referenced in a number of rock bands' albums and songs. He killed for at least 100 people but its believe that he killed as many as 1000 people.
 ==Early life==
@@ Line 27: / Line 34: @@
 ==Private life==
-In 1434/5, 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. Gilles 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&nbsp;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 Gilles' expense.<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|pp=128–133}}</ref>
+In 1434 or 1435, 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. Gilles 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&nbsp;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 Gilles' expense.<ref>{{Harvnb|Benedetti|1971|pp=128–133}}</ref>
 In June 1435, family members gathered to put a curb on Gilles. 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&nbsp;July 1435, a royal edict was proclaimed in Orléans, Tours, Angers, Pouzauges, and Champtocé-sur-Loire denouncing Gilles 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. Gilles' 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>