Gilles de Rais: The Original Bluebeard

1926. Vincent, Louis. Binns, Clare. Gilles de Rais: The Original Bluebeard. London: A.M. Philpot, 1926. 221 pp. Illustrations. Original publisher's cloth very good, in worn dust jacket. Deckle edges. Some foxing throughout, otherwise internally clean. A very good copy. $100. * First edition. This work delves into the life and crimes of Gilles de Rais, a French nobleman who is infamous for his brutal murders of children in the 15th century. It provides a detailed account of Gilles de Rais' life, including his early years as a successful military commander and his descent into madness and depravity. Vincent explores the psychological and social factors that may have contributed to Gilles de Rais' crimes, as well as the historical context in which they occurred. It offers a fascinating insight into one of the most notorious figures in French history and sheds light on the dark side of human nature. Contents: Introduction; Early Youth of Gilles de Rais; War and Marriage; The Eaglet; Gilles and Saint Joan; Aesthete and Murderer; Actor-manager-producer; Ruin; Black Magic; The Beast of Extermination; Gilles' Arrest; The Trial; The End.