Origins & Early Life

Gilles de Rais, Baron de Rais (French: [ʒil də ʁɛ]; also spelled "Retz"; c. 1405 – 26 October 1440) was a French knight and lord whose estates extended across Brittany, Anjou and Poitou. He served as one of the captains of the French royal army during the Hundred Years' War and took part in the same campaigns as Joan of Arc in 1429, ending with the failed siege of Paris. Little is known about the nature of his relationship with Joan of Arc, despite fictional portrayals that depict them as close companions.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is best known for his conviction for the rape and murder of numerous children. As heir to several major noble houses of western France, Gilles de Rais became a powerful lord and supported Charles VII. In April 1429, he entered into an alliance with his cousin Georges de La Trémoille, the Grand Chamberlain of France. Later that year, he was appointed Marshal of France. He gradually withdrew from military affairs during the 1430s.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His family accused him of squandering his inheritance through extravagant spending, and in July 1435 Charles VII placed his lands under royal interdict. In May 1440, Gilles de Rais assaulted a senior cleric at the church of Saint-Étienne-de-Mer-Morte and...

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