Gilles

Cultural depictions of Gilles de Rais refer to the representations of the 15th-century French nobleman, military commander, and convicted child murderer in literature, theatre, music, visual arts, and other cultural media. A companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War and later associated with the folktale character Bluebeard, Gilles de Rais has inspired a wide range of portrayals from the late Middle Ages to the present day. His image first appeared in medieval dramatic and literary texts, underwent a long period of relative obscurity, and was revived in the 19th century through Romantic and Gothic interpretations. Since then, he has appeared in numerous works of fiction, including novels, plays, operas, films, comic books, animation, musical compositions, and video games, with portrayals variously emphasizing his military career as a Marshal of France, his alleged crimes, his role alongside Joan of Arc, or his transformation into an embodiment of aristocratic cruelty and evil.