Historical Trial Records Archives

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:

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Gilles de Rais: Historical Figure and Demonological Subject

Gilles de Laval, Lord of Rais, companion of Joan of Arc, Marshal of France (1404 1440)

French nobleman associated with military leadership, criminal trials, and demonological accusations Gilles de Rais (c. 1405-1440) was a French nobleman, military commander, and companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc who became notorious for allegations of murder, sexual crimes against children, and occult practices. In demonological literature, he is referenced not as a demonic entity but as … Read more

Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Léonarde Ghastenet

Léonarde Ghastenet was an eighty-year-old woman from Poitou around 1591, accused of witchcraft. Confronted with Mathurin Bonnevault, who claimed to have seen her at a witches’ sabbath, Ghastenet confessed to attending with her husband and interacting with the devil in the form of a foul-smelling goat. Despite denying harmful magic initially, she was convicted by … Read more