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From the archive, 17 June 1992: Rehabilitation of France's Bluebeard From the archive, 17 June 1992: Rehabilitation of France's Bluebeard
(4 months later)
More than 550 years after he was hanged and then burned for offences ranging from sodomy to heresy, Gilles de Rais, Joan of Arc's companion in arms, is to be retried in an official process of rehabilitation.More than 550 years after he was hanged and then burned for offences ranging from sodomy to heresy, Gilles de Rais, Joan of Arc's companion in arms, is to be retried in an official process of rehabilitation.
In French folklore Gilles de Rais, marshal of France, has a villain's status similar to that of England's Richard III, but the French judiciary believe there is a sound case for claiming judicial error.In French folklore Gilles de Rais, marshal of France, has a villain's status similar to that of England's Richard III, but the French judiciary believe there is a sound case for claiming judicial error.
De Rais, who was marshal at the age of 24 and one of the most successful generals of the hundred years' war, was condemned to death on 26 October 1440 primarily for the murder of 150 children. His alleged reign of sexual terror made him the model for the Bluebeard of fairy tales.De Rais, who was marshal at the age of 24 and one of the most successful generals of the hundred years' war, was condemned to death on 26 October 1440 primarily for the murder of 150 children. His alleged reign of sexual terror made him the model for the Bluebeard of fairy tales.
But the Breton warlord was condemned for other crimes too, including witchcraft, and executed after a spontaneous confession when threatened with excommunication. The case being made out in his favour, for a rehabilitation tribunal which convene at Nantes on October 26, sounds like the grandfather of all miscarriages of justice, based on an uncorroborated confession.But the Breton warlord was condemned for other crimes too, including witchcraft, and executed after a spontaneous confession when threatened with excommunication. The case being made out in his favour, for a rehabilitation tribunal which convene at Nantes on October 26, sounds like the grandfather of all miscarriages of justice, based on an uncorroborated confession.
Because French law allows an appeal for rehabilitation even in cases of capital punishment, a unique arbitration court of lawyers, writers, historians and politicians was appointed to decide whether there was sufficient evidence to show he might have been framed. The presiding judge, Henri Juramy, said the primary motive was to find out whether the history of France had been deliberately sullied by the original condemnation.Because French law allows an appeal for rehabilitation even in cases of capital punishment, a unique arbitration court of lawyers, writers, historians and politicians was appointed to decide whether there was sufficient evidence to show he might have been framed. The presiding judge, Henri Juramy, said the primary motive was to find out whether the history of France had been deliberately sullied by the original condemnation.
The campaign was led by a historian, Gilbert Prouteau, who provided much of the evidence to lawyers who argued for and against a rehabilitation hearing.The campaign was led by a historian, Gilbert Prouteau, who provided much of the evidence to lawyers who argued for and against a rehabilitation hearing.
"The case for Gilles de Rais's innocence is very strong," Mr Prouteau said. "No child's corpse was ever found at his castle at Tiffauges and he appears to have confessed to escape excommunication."The case for Gilles de Rais's innocence is very strong," Mr Prouteau said. "No child's corpse was ever found at his castle at Tiffauges and he appears to have confessed to escape excommunication.
"The accusations appear to be false charges made up by powerful rival lords to benefit from the confiscation of his lands.""The accusations appear to be false charges made up by powerful rival lords to benefit from the confiscation of his lands."
Local people gave their own verdict when Gilles de Rais was led out to the gallows: instead of howling abuse they wept and prayed for him.Local people gave their own verdict when Gilles de Rais was led out to the gallows: instead of howling abuse they wept and prayed for him.
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