A Medieval Hero Turned Monstrous Criminal
Gilles de Montmorency-Laval, Baron de Rais, better known to history as Gilles de Rais (1404 – 1440), was a French aristocrat from Brittany. He was a respected knight, and a national hero who rose to prominence as Joan of Arc’s chief captain and right hand man. Then his true nature was revealed, and his celebrated career was cut short, along with his head. Away from the limelight, he was a criminal monster. His family, the House of Montmorency, was one of France’s oldest, most respected, and most distinguished aristocratic families. Early on, he seemed to live up to the high expectations of a scion of such an illustrious clan. By age fifteen, he had distinguished himself militarily in a series of wars of succession that wracked the Duchy of Brittany.
De Rais distinguished himself even more in Anjou, on whose duchess’ behalf he fought against the English in 1427. By the time Joan of Arc emerged to challenge the English in 1429, de Rais was already one of France’s most celebrated military men, despite his youth. He was assigned to Joan of Arc as one of her guards, and fought in several battles at her side. He particularly distinguished himself in her greatest victory, which lifted the English siege of Orleans. He then accompanied her to Reims for the coronation of King Charles VII, who made de Rais Marshall of France – a distinction awarded to generals for exceptional achievements.
