Baron Gilles de Rais, History’s Earliest Serial Killer?

Major Crimes in History

The psychology of murder is a fascinating topic, and one we have only in recent decades sought to truly understand. Most murders are crimes of necessity, but understanding the inner drive to kill again and again, especially where the act of killing is the focus and the motive, remains largely mysterious.

Some murderers kill for sexual gratification, or otherwise to feel powerful. Some kill for revenge, and some kill following some inner delusion. But every killer is different, and as with the case of Baron Gilles de Rais, it seems that some kill simply because they can.

Who was Baron Gilles de Rais?

Baron Gilles de Rais was a Breton nobleman born in early 15th century France (most likely 1404 or 1405) to Guy II de Montmorency-Laval and Marie de Craon in the family castle at Champtocé-sur-Loire. His early life was touched by tragedy when he lost both his parents at an early age.

In 1415, the year the French king lost his country to England at Agincourt, his father was killed in a gruesome hunting incident (which de Rais may have seen). His mother died the same year, the cause unknown.