Gilles de Rais (c. 1405 ?–26 October 1440)^[1] was a Marshal of France, Joan of Arc's comrade in arms, and a murderer.^[2] He was the son of Guy de Laval/Rais and Marie de Craon. He became rich when a relative died. He was made a Marshal of France in 1429.^[3] He spent much of his money putting on a play that he wrote. He dabbled in alchemy.^[4] His criminal career began in 1434. In 1440, he was arrested, tried, and hanged.^[5] De Rais may have killed 140 people. Most of his victims were young boys. He may have been the inspiration for the 1697 fairy tale "Bluebeard" by Charles Perrault.^[2]