From hero to serial killer
The former French soldier who inspired the story of Bluebeard

Gilles de Rais - Bluebeard, imprisons his young victim - AI generated image
The tale of Bluebeard—a sinister lord of a castle, so named for the peculiar color of his thick beard, who imprisoned young women and killed them after marrying them—is one of the most famous fairy tales. Almost all of us (certainly the older generations) have heard it at least once, either told by parents or through an old record player. What is less well-known is that the cruel Bluebeard was inspired by a real historical figure: Gilles de Rais (1405–1440).
What initially surprises many is that Gilles de Rais was considered a French hero on par with Joan of Arc. De Rais fought as a general in the Hundred Years’ War from 1427 to 1435 and, in 1429, was even named Marshal of France—the highest military rank in the kingdom. In addition to his heroic achievements on the battlefield, Gilles inherited a vast family fortune in 1432, including money, land, and estates. The newfound wealth allowed him to retire from military service and lead an aristocratic lifestyle, complete with servants and associated luxuries.
By 1436, Gilles found himself abandoned by his wife, burdened with debts, and shunned by the very king who had once praised him, Charles VII. It was during this period of financial ruin that he became deeply interested in the occult, hoping to find a way to escape his poverty. In 1440, he forcefully reclaimed one of his former properties, violating the law and prompting an investigation against him.
During the trial, eight witnesses accused de Rais and some of his servants of abducting children who had recently gone missing in areas near his estates. The judge ordered the former marshal to prepare a defense against charges of murder, abduction, and heresy. However, due to Gilles’ continued violent behavior, he was subjected to torture, during which he confessed to horrific crimes. Authorities discovered the remains of 140 children and young men in the cellar of his castle, killed as sacrifices. He was subsequently executed by hanging.
The series of child murders carried out in a similar modus operandi (involving heretical rituals) made Gilles de Rais one of history’s earliest known serial killers and the real-life inspiration for the Bluebeard legend.
Ernesto Ferrero, Barbablú: Gilles de Rais e il tramonto del Medioevo, Einaudi, 2020
Georges Bataille, Il processo di Gilles de Rais, Guanda, Guanda, 2023
Franco Cardini, L'uomo dalla barba blu: Gilles de Rais e Giovanna D’Arco nel labirinto delle menzogne e delle verità, Giunti, 2020
2025-06-12
Salvatore Ciccarello