The World's First Serial Killer

The seemingly ordinary Gilles de Rais held an outstanding career as a soldier in the Hundred Years' War, and as a comrade in the arms of Joan of Arc, he would have held a righteous place in history. This Breton nobleman, however, led a secret life as a serial murderer of more than a hundred children, arguably making him the first recorded serial killer in history.

Early Life

Gille de Rais had a tragic upbringing as both parents died around 1415. His father, Guy de Laval, was killed in a gruesome hunting accident witnessed by Gille himself. His mother, Marie de Craon, died of an unknown cause and was raised by her father, Jean de Craon.

Military Career

As a young man, Gille seemed impulsive and hot-headed, characteristics that led him to be an excellent soldier on the battlefield, where he was known as a skilled and fearless fighter. When Joan of Arc made her appearance in 1429, he was assigned by the dauphin to watch over her in battle. The two fought together in significant battles during her short career, including lifting the Siege of Orléans. In 1429, he was appointed the highest military distinction, the marshal of France, but his military career slowed down after the death of Joan of Arc in 1431.

Later Years

He began spending more time at his estate, which was among western France's wealthiest estates. He recklessly spent his fortune on decorations, servants, and a sizeable military entourage while commissioning music and works of literature. His sale of family lands to finance his extravagant lifestyle sparked a bitter feud with other family members, especially his grandfather, Jean de Craon, who left his sword and armor to Gille's younger brother, René, when he died in 1432.

De Rais seemed overwhelmingly concerned with religion and his own salvation. In 1433, he financed the construction of a chapel "for the bliss of his soul" and named it the Chapel of the Holy Innocents. He staffed the chapel with a boys' choir selected by De Rais himself, which is unsettling now that we know his crimes. He also heavily investigated the occult to quickly save his collapsing finances, employing various alchemists and sorcerers.

The Crimes of De Rais

Children had gone missing around Gille's castle, and rumors began to spread like wildfire. Many of the disappearances were connected to De Rais and his servants. At the time, it was common for young boys to be permanently separated from their parents if they were taken on as servants or pages to noblemen.

Gille's murderous inclination became an open secret. His crimes came out during his trial as witnesses had seen his servants disposing of dozens of children's bodies at one of his castles in 1437, but the families of the victims were too fearful and too low of social status to act against De Rais.

De Rais wasn't arrested until September 1440, when he kidnapped a priest after an unrelated dispute. He was tried in a spiritual and civil court for various offenses, including heresy, sodomy, and the murder of more than 100 children.

The Verdict

Under threat of torture, De Rais confessed to the charges and described how he ritualistically tortured dozens of children that his servants kidnapped over the last decade. He was sentenced to death by simultaneous burning and hanging, which was carried out in Nantes on October 26, 1440.

After his death, locals observed a three-day fast. An unfortunate tradition began in which parents around Nantes commemorated the anniversary of De Rais's execution by whipping their children. This practice is believed to have survived for over a century after his death.

Modern Times

Revisionists have questioned whether or not De Rais was genuinely guilty of the crimes for which he was executed, noting that he confessed under the threat of torture. Many historians who have examined the evidence from Gille's trial continue to believe that he did commit these heinous crimes.