Even though the term serial killer wasn’t coined until the 20th century, the concept itself has existed since the dawn of man. Numerous people have been called “the world’s first serial killer” throughout time, but one notable person often gets left out of the discussion. That man was Gilles de Rais, a 15th century nobleman-turned-serial-killer.
Gilles de Rais was a French nobleman who lived in the 15th century and was known for his military service. He fought alongside Joan of Arc in the Hundred Years’ War, serving as one of her most trusted commanders. He played a key role in several of the war’s most important battles, including the Siege of Orléans. Despite his bravery on the battlefield, he ultimately fell out of favor with the French court and was stripped of his titles and lands. While he is remembered for his association with Joan of Arc, he was also a skilled military strategist and a respected leader in his own right.
Why was he stripped of his nobility? Well, the answer lies in his behavior. There were a number of factors that contributed to Gilles de Rais’ downfall, including his extravagant spending, his interest in the occult, and his growing reputation as a notorious libertine. However, his ultimate undoing was likely due to his feud with the powerful Duke of Brittany, who accused Gilles of treason and had him arrested. Following his trial, he was found guilty of a range of crimes, including murder, sodomy, and heresy. As a result, he was stripped of his titles and lands, and he was ultimately executed for his crimes.
The murders
The true notoriety of Gilles de Rais comes from the murders he committed, which have placed him in ranking among the world’s known serial killers. Gilles de Rais was a killer of children. The exact number of murders committed by Gilles de Rais is unknown, but it is believed that he may have killed as many as 80 to 200 victims, mostly young boys. Some sources suggest that he engaged in sadistic sexual acts before murdering his victims. However, it is important to note that the exact number of his victims is uncertain due to the lack of reliable historical records from that time period. Nevertheless, Gilles de Rais is regarded as one of the earliest known serial killers in history.
Chelsea Hoffman is a true crime writer with over a decade of professional writing experience. She is best known for her coverage of missing people including the tragic disappearance of Madeleine McCann as well as the heartbreaking cases of Dylan Redwine, Heather Elvis and many others.
