MAP#58: Gilles de Rais – Gallant Knight, Occultist and Serial Killer

MAP#58: Gilles de Rais – Gallant Knight, Occultist and Serial Killer

Author: The Archivist October 29, 2014 Duration: 38:06
Gilles de Rais, an esteemed knight and the Marshall of France, who fought alongside Joan of Arc. Then he turned to the occult and tried to deal with the devil. Gilles isn't remembered as a hero of France, instead he is remembered as a gruesome child murderer. On today's episode we are going to look at Gilles de Rais, a knight who fought alongside Joan of Arc and was her trusted adviser. He was granted the title of Marshal of France by King Charles VII for his loyalty and military victories. But as the Hundred Years War started to end he turned to black magic. Gilles de Rais would stop at nothing to keep his wealth and gain more. He tried Alchemy to turn matter into gold, which lead to sorcery and summoning demons. Through it all he was a vile child killer, who killed so many children by his own admission he cannot count them all. In his testimony de Rais confessed to beating, hanging and beheading children, and that was just the start! His crimes are so vile they will make your stomach turn. Join us today on the Halloween episode of the Medieval Archives Podcast as we look at the valiant knight turned gruesome monster, Gilles de Rais. Please send any comments or suggestions to podcast@medievalarchives.com If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to the episode now In this episode we discuss: Gilles de Rais childhood Gilles de Rais rise to greatness Gilles de Rais, the occultist and summoner of demons Gilles de Rais as a serial killer And more... Check out our Halloween Podcast page for more great spine-chilling podcasts! Get your free audio book from Audible.com at: http://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed The music was provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Step into the world of Medieval Archives, where host The Archivist guides you through the sprawling, complex landscape of a thousand-year era. This isn't just a parade of dates and famous names. Instead, each episode is a deep exploration, peeling back the layers of popular legend to examine the tangible realities of medieval life. You'll hear about the strategic calculations behind what we call epic battles, the fragile alliances within courtly intrigue, and the quiet rhythms of survival in villages far from castle walls. The podcast is built on a foundation of historical evidence, carefully separating enduring fact from compelling fiction. By focusing on the people-from monarchs and saints to merchants and peasants-and the beliefs that guided them, the narrative connects these distant events to our understanding of today. Whether discussing the rise of a kingdom, the fall of a dynasty, or the evolution of a simple tool, the aim is to provide context and clarity. Tune in for a thoughtful, accessible journey that treats history not as a static record but as a continuous, human story. The medieval world was one of profound transformation, and this series seeks to illuminate how it was truly lived, felt, and shaped by those who were there.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Medieval Archives
Podcast Episodes
MAP80: Sword for Hire: Mercenaries in the Middle Ages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:18
Fight For Profit Soldiers in the Middle Ages fought for King and Country. But what did they do when the wars ended? Not all soldiers retired back to a life of farming or trade. Some men wanted to continue fighting and th…
Medieval Archives Podcast Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:23
We hit a milestone this month for the Medieval Archives Podcast. Ten years of podcasting! Unfortunately the podcast hit an unexpected and lengthy hiatus. But we are coming back this summer! Along with the 10 year anniver…
MAP#79: Richard the Lionheart and author W.B. Bartlett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:30
In today's lesson we are joined by author Wayne Bartlett to discuss Richard the Lionheart! Wayne's new book Richard the Lionheart: The Crusader King of England is available through Amberley Publishing. It's an excellent…
MAP#78: Edward II The Man with author Stephen Spinks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
Today's lesson features a talk with historian and author Stephen Spinks. Stephen's new book Edward II The Man: A Doomed Inheritance was recently published by Amberley Publishing. Edward II The Man is an in-depth biograph…
MAP#77 – The Masque of the Red Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:22
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The Great Plague or Black Death ravaged Europe in the 14th century, killing around 200 million people. No one was immune to the Plague! But as we'll find out in today's episode one man thought his wealth…
MAP#76 – Music inspired by Richard III and the Wars of the Roses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:55
We have a special episode today of medieval inspired music! Ian Churchward and his band The Legendary 10 Seconds write music about Richard III and the Wars of the Roses. Today we are showcasing one of their albums Tant l…
MAP#75: Natural Disasters: Earthquakes that rocked the Middle Ages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:22
Ever wonder how medieval people dealt with natural disasters? No Red Cross or FEMA to come in and help clean up. Earthquakes and Tsunamis are some of the most destructive forces in nature. It's estimated there are over 5…
MAP#73: The Canterbury Tales: The Miller’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:21
The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387–1400. The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from L…
MAP#72: Jack Cade’s Rebellion: A Prelude to the Wars of the Roses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:26
Jack Cade's RebellionThe summer of 1450 was full of unrest in England. A failing war in France, political corruption and out of control crime left the citizens of England on edge. One man, Jack Cade, gathered together a…