Mind of a Serial Killer – Gilles de Rais Pt. 1

Released on December 9, 2024, "Gilles de Rais Pt. 1" is the first installment of a two-part deep dive into the life and psyche of one of history’s most infamous serial killers. Hosted by Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels, this episode meticulously unravels the transformation of Gilles de Rais from a celebrated medieval baron and war hero to a perpetrator of unspeakable atrocities.

Introduction

Vanessa Richardson sets the stage by emphasizing the fascination with understanding how certain individuals transcend societal and moral boundaries to commit heinous crimes. She introduces the episode's focus on Gilles de Rais, a medieval baron notorious for his gruesome acts:

“When that happens, people wonder, how could someone do such a thing? Well, on this show, that's what we're going to try and answer.” [00:06]

Dr. Tristan Engels complements Vanessa's narrative by highlighting his role in providing psychological insights into Gilles' disturbed mind:

“I'll be helping her dive into these killers minds as we try to understand how someone could do such horrible things.” [02:09]

Early Life and Upbringing

Gilles de Rais was born in 1404 into immense wealth and noble lineage in Brittany, Western France. His early years were marked by privilege but also by tragedy. At the age of 10 or 11, Gilles lost both parents—his mother’s death remains shrouded in mystery, while his father died from a boar attack. This early exposure to loss and potential trauma set the foundation for his complex psychological profile:

“Losing a parent at an early age can be very traumatic for children... which could allow him to rationalize his future actions based on childhood indoctrinations.” [08:08]

Raised by his maternal grandfather, Jean de Creon, Gilles and his brother Rene were subjected to ruthless strategies aimed at preserving and expanding family wealth. Gilles describes his youthful freedom during this period:

“In my youth, I was allowed to go always according to my own sweet will.” [06:41]

Despite the apparent freedom, his grandfather ensured Gilles received a noble education, teaching him multiple languages and training him in martial skills. This blend of autonomy and rigorous training played a critical role in shaping his ambitions and sense of superiority.

Military Career and Rise to Prominence

At 16, Gilles actively participated in defending his family's estates, marking his first experience with taking a life. Dr. Engels draws parallels between Gilles' early combat experiences and modern-day veterans, suggesting that such trauma can lead to diminished empathy and increased aggression:

“Prolonged exposure to stress and trauma as a child... can lead to less empathy, less reasoning, and a higher risk of aggression.” [11:04]

Gilles' military prowess was further solidified during the pivotal Battle of Orleans in 1429, where he fought alongside Joan of Arc. Her miraculous victory not only boosted French morale but also reinforced Gilles' inflated self-image:

“Instead, his ego only grew. He was on Joan of Arc's side, after all. Her mission was his mission.” [23:13]

This association with Joan of Arc intensified his belief in his invincibility and divine favor, setting the stage for his subsequent descent into madness.

Personal Life and Early Signs of Deviance

Upon reaching adulthood, Gilles married his cousin Catherine de Troyes through abduction—a clear display of his ruthless nature and disregard for societal norms. His actions led to familial conflicts, yet Gilles faced minimal repercussions, further emboldening his sense of entitlement:

“It's unlikely his grandfather would really be mad or really stay mad after that as a result. But this just serves to inflate Jill's sense of self importance and superiority even more.” [15:14]

Financial pressures mounted as Gilles indulged in extravagant spending to maintain his lavish lifestyle. Unable to curb his expenses, he began selling family lands without restraint, provoking the ire of his relatives and ultimately leading to royal intervention:

“In medieval society, that was always the oldest son's responsibility. And legally speaking, nothing had changed... Such a visible humiliation would have been extremely damaging to Gilles reputation within the royal court.” [29:39]

Descent into Violence and Serial Killing

By 1432, after facing public humiliation and financial strain, Gilles' violent tendencies escalated dramatically. He began orchestrating the abduction and murder of children, driven by pedophilic urges and sexual sadism. Dr. Engels provides a psychological breakdown of Gilles' actions:

“His extreme grandiosity means that Jill views most things, including people, as property, and uses his privilege and status to prey upon marginalized and disenfranchised individuals.” [19:10]

The methodologies Gilles employed were meticulously cruel, involving assault, torture, and often gruesome killings. His ability to evade consequences was bolstered by his wealth, status, and the societal norms of the medieval period, which allowed such atrocities to go unchecked:

“The victims were slain in virtually every manner imaginable. But decapitation and dismemberment were some of Gilles favorite methods.” [33:24]

Psychological Analysis

Dr. Tristan Engels delves deep into Gilles de Rais' psyche, diagnosing traits indicative of narcissistic personality disorder and possible psychopathy:

“We're seeing a very significant pattern of narcissism here with Gilles, even with his association with Joan of Arc.” [29:39]

Gilles exhibited a relentless pursuit of power and control, driven by ego syntonic behaviors that aligned his heinous actions with his self-image of superiority. This pathological behavior was exacerbated by the lack of accountability, enabling Gilles to spiral further into depravity:

“This is about maintaining the belief that he is above everyone else and has the power and control at all times.” [36:25]

Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2

As the episode concludes, the hosts foreshadow the continuation of Gilles de Rais' dark journey in the second part, where his attempts to restore his fortune through alchemy and occult practices will be explored, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Notable Quotes:

• “How could someone do such a thing? Well, on this show, that's what we're going to try and answer.” – Vanessa Richardson [00:06]
• “I'll be helping her dive into these killers minds as we try to understand how someone could do such horrible things.” – Dr. Tristan Engels [02:09]
• “Losing a parent at an early age can be very traumatic for children...” – Dr. Tristan Engels [08:08]
• “This is definitely a very significant pattern of narcissism here with Gilles...” – Dr. Tristan Engels [29:39]
• “His extreme grandiosity means that Jill views most things, including people, as property...” – Dr. Tristan Engels [19:10]

Final Thoughts

"Gilles de Rais Pt. 1" offers a chilling exploration into the early life and psychological factors that contributed to the making of a serial killer. Through detailed storytelling and expert analysis, Vanessa Richardson and Dr. Tristan Engels provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of Gilles de Rais' transformation from a revered nobleman to a figure of terror in medieval France. This episode serves as a compelling foundation for the ensuing discussion in Part 2, where Gilles' pursuit of power through dark arts unravels further facets of his monstrous legacy.