CHAPTER VII
THE EXECUTION
On October 26, 1440, at eleven o’clock, the time fixed, the procession approached the prison Bouffay; Gilles, Henriet, and Poitou were brought out, and with this long procession for an escort, were conducted across the two bridges to the place of execution. The two courts, ecclesiastical and civil, were present, and it has been said that the Duke of Brittany was also present. Three gibbets had been erected with their cross-arms, and at the foot of each a pile of wood and fagots (_bucher_) was laid. It is needless to describe the details of the execution. Some of them may be apocryphal; they were not recorded at the time, and they may have been made for the occasion; in any event, they add nothing to the strength of the story. It seems agreed, however, that at the given signal the three malefactors were suspended by ropes from the gibbets, that the wood was fired, and that they were hung and burned at the same time; that they died with words of repentance upon their lips, expressions of hope for pardon from the God whom they had offended, and stating their hopes and beliefs of salvation. There was no sermon, no reading of sentences, no prolongation of agony. Prayers for the dead were continually recited, but the execution proceeded with as much rapidity as possible.
The historians of the day, Monstrelet, Chartier, Argentré, all agree that the body of Gilles was rescued from the flames before it was burned to ashes, and enclosed in a coffin and carried to the church of the Carmelites at Nantes, where it was buried privately and without ceremony, while the ashes of the two accomplices were scattered to the winds of heaven and the waves of the Loire.
This was the punishment of Gilles de Retz, and this the expiation of his crimes. It is curious to remark its effect on human nature, and how it was regarded by the people. If Gilles de Retz had escaped the punishment of his crimes, the whole country would have been in arms, and he would have been denounced in the fiercest terms, as the most execrable of human beings. But, after having suffered this terrible punishment before the eyes of all men, and it was thus made known throughout the country, the spirit of hate and vengeance seems to have turned to pity, and sorrow and grief seem to have taken their places.
In commemoration of his sufferings, an altar was erected in his memory and to his name, upon the spot where he died. A niche was made for the reception of a statue, though none appears to have been erected, and, unexplainable as it is,--almost marvellous,--it came in after years to be called the altar of the “Bonne Vierge de Créé-Lait.” The spot where was executed this man, who had decimated Brittany by the abduction and murder of its infants, came in a superstitious manner to be esteemed as a place of value in furnishing milk for nursing mothers. Offerings of flowers and similar objects were frequently placed upon the altar to secure the good offices of Saint Anne, who was supposed to have it in charge. This is evidence, not only of the instability of the judgment of the multitude and the changeableness of the public, but the elusiveness of and want of dependence in tradition.
The family of Gilles seem to have made no demonstration, not even an appearance, during this trying time. No record or mention is made of their presence at the trial, or of any interest therein. His widow married within the year, and his daughter Marie, then about fifteen years of age, married within two years, after his death. His widow married Jean de Vendôme, and the daughter’s first husband was Prégent de Coétivy, Admiral of France. These united in a _Mémoire_ addressed to the King of France, to save the property that had belonged to Gilles de Retz from confiscation by the Duke of Brittany. Prégent de Coétivy was killed on June 20, 1450, during the siege of Cherbourg, by a cannon-shot. His widow (Gilles’s daughter) married, for a second husband, André de Laval, her cousin. She died, without issue, November 1, 1457, and was buried in the Church of Notre Dame, at Vitré. René de la Suze, brother of Gilles, married Anne de Champagne. He left a daughter, Jeanne de Retz, who married François de Chauvigny, the Prince of Deol, April 11, 1446. They had one child, a son, André de Chauvigny, who died, unmarried, in 1502. And thus, within sixty-two years after the death of Gilles de Retz, his family became extinct.
APPENDIX A
MOTHER GOOSE PUBLICATIONS
Nearly every publisher in France, and many of those in England and the United States, have issued editions of Mother Goose stories. Most of those from France have been reprints, with variation, of the originals by Perrault: Boussod; B. Bernardin; Biblioth. Nat.; MM. Chavery; Dentu; Flammarion; Boulanger; Lemerre; Bornemann; Cattier; Duployé; Fayard; E. Guérin; Hachette; G. Delarue; Garnier Frères; Magnin.
The editions of Mother Goose fairy tales and nursery rhymes in England and the United States are given in the publishers’ catalogues with essays on the same subject as follows:
_MOTHER GOOSE:_
_The Original Mother Goose’s Melodies as First Issued about 1760._ W. H. WHITMORE. 1890. Munsell.
---- _Fairy Tales of Mother Goose_, first collected by Perrault, 1696. 1892. Damrell.
_Favourite Rhymes from Mother Goose._ MAUD HUMPHREY. 1891–1893. Stokes.
_Nursery Rhymes, Tales, and Jingles._ 1890. Routledge.
_Contes des fées_, with notes and vocabulary. 1884. Macmillan.
_Fairy Tales._ 1877–1882. Routledge.
_Tales from Perrault_, translated by J. R. Planche, 1860. 1891. Routledge.
_Mother Goose, or the Old Nursery Rhymes._ Illustrated by K. Greenaway, 1881. Routledge.
_Mother Goose Goslings._ E. W. TALBOT. Cassell, P., G. & Co.
_Mother Goose Rhymes_, with silhouette illustrations by J. F. Goodrich, 1877. 1879. Lee & Shepard.
_Mother Goose Masquerades._ Mrs. E. D. KENDALL. Lee & Shepard.
_Mother Goose Melodies._ Illustrated. 1879. Lippincott.
_Mother Goose Melodies, with Chimes, Rhymes, and Jingles_, with pictures designed by Billings and engraved by Hartwell. 1878.
_Mother Goose Set to Music._ New edition. Illustrated. 8°. 1877. McLoughlin.
_Mother Goose Fairy Tales_, illustrated by eminent artists. 1877. New edition, 1882. Routledge.
_Mother Goose Melodies, or Songs for the Nursery._ Illustrated in color by A. Kappes. 1879. Houghton, Osgood & Co.
_Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes._ Collection of alphabets, rhymes, tales, and jingles. Illustrated. 1876. New edition, 1882. Routledge.
_Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes._ Illustrated. 1877. McLoughlin.
_Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales._ Illustrated. 1877. Routledge.
_Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales._ 1891. Routledge.
_Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales._ 1892–1896. Nister.
“Mother Goose’s Melodies.” JOEL BENTON. New York _Times, Saturday Review_, Feb. 5, 1899.
“Who Was Mother Goose?” THOMAS WILSON. _St. Nicholas._
An investigation of the foregoing volumes will show a series of Mother Goose stories other than those written by Perrault. These are well-known rhymes and jingles principally from England, and are of indefinite and undetermined age.
The edition above mentioned by W. H. Whitmore, gives its history of the English and American Mother Goose. The collection was first made for and by John Newbery of London, about A.D. 1760. Its popularity was due to the Boston editions of Monroe & Francis, A.D. 1824–1860.
The first rhyme in these editions was styled “A Love Song”:
“There was a little man, Who wooed a little maid; And he said, ‘Little maid, Will you wed, wed, wed?’”
Mr. Whitmore examines the claim made for the first time in 1856 that the origin of these melodies was due to Mrs. Elizabeth Goose, or Vergoose, of Boston, and that her son-in-law, Thomas Fleet, published a volume containing them in 1719, and pronounces the claim without foundation.
APPENDIX B
BLUEBEARD STORIES
The story of Bluebeard has permeated modern literature. Reference is made to some of its publications.
It appeared as a comedy with three acts, under the name of _Barbe-Bleue_. The music was by Grétry, and it was presented for the first time at Paris in the Théâtre des Italiens in 1789.
Another was an opera bouffe written by MM. Henry Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, music by Offenbach, presented for the first time at Paris in the Théâtre des Variétés in 1866.
Monsieur Charles Lemire published, in 1894, a lyric representation with music, dances, etc., in four parts and ten scenes, entitled _Barbe-Bleue_ (Le sire de Rais). Some of the scenes represented the interior of the Hôtel de la Suze, the public square at Nantes, the Château de Tiffauges, the gate of Machecoul (the arrest), Château de Nantes (the trial), Prairie Piesse (the execution), ending with an allegoric apotheosis.
A Picardy romance of Comte Ory was rendered by Scribe and Rossini into an opera in which the characteristics of Gilles de Retz were presented in the hero.
Walkenaer has investigated, with marvellous patience, the tradition of Bluebeard, and has sought to trace it throughout its various ramifications in literature.
La Rousse in his _Great French Dictionary of the XIXth Century_, under the title of _Barbe-Bleue_, introduces quotations from French littérateurs who have referred to Bluebeard: J. Sandeau, Toussenel, H. de Balzac, Ch. Nadar, Max. du Camp, Oct. Feuillet.
Essays or volumes on Bluebeard have appeared either separately or in magazines or newspapers as shown in the following list:
“Bluebeard.” E. VIZELLY. _Gentlemen’s Magazine_, N. S., vol. xxii., p. 368.
---- T. C. WOOLSEY. _Lakeside_, vol. v., p. 314.
---- Origin of Story of. W. C. TAYLOR. _Bentley_, vol. xxiii., p. 136.
---- Original. _Once a Week_, vol. xviii., p. 15.
---- Rehabilitated, Verses. W. H. HARRISON. _Dub. Univ._, vol. xc, p. 728.
“Bluebeard’s Ghost.” W. M. THACKERAY. _Fraser_, vol. xxviii., p. 413.
“Bluebeard’s Keys.” _Cornn._, vol. xxiii., pp. 192, 688. Same article _Living Age_, vol. cviii., p. 685; vol. cx., p. 139.
“Bluebeard.” H. C. LEA. _Nation_, vol. xliii., p. 377.
“Gilles de Retz, Baron de: Original Bluebeard.” L. FRECHETTE. _Arena_, vol. i., p. 141.
“Bluebeard, Case of.” P. EDWARDS. _Green Bag_, vol. v., p. 543D.
“Maréchal de Retz.” _Belgra_, vol. lxxx., p. 58.
_Gilles de Retz (Barbe-Bleue)._ L’ABBÉ EUGENE BOSSARD. 1886. H. Champion.
_Barbe-Bleue, de la Légende et de l’Histoire._ CH. LEMIRE. 1886. Ernest Leroux.
The works of Abbé Bossard and M. Charles Lemire have been issued since the author left Nantes. Much of the matter in this paper was prepared before these volumes were issued. But the author has not scrupled to use them, as he has those of Michelet, Monstrelet, or Guépin, or to verify from them what he has written, especially their later rendition of the archives. He had access to these records equally with these gentlemen, but he freely acknowledges the aid received from the printed copy of ancient manuscripts, the difficulties of which will be apparent on an examination of the photographic copy on page 137.
M. Paul Saunière published in the _Publicité_ at Nantes, a feuilleton entitled _Barbe-Bleue_, and a novel entitled _The Black Douglas_, by S. R. Crockett, lately published, and a book entitled _La Bas_, by Huysmanns, all deal with Gilles de Retz.
APPENDIX C
MYSTERY OF THE SIEGE OF ORLEANS
Abbé Bossard is authority for the statement that the unique and original manuscript of the _Mystery of Orleans_ in modern times is in the library of the Vatican, No. 1022, registered under _de la reine de Suède_ (Queen of Sweden). This copy came from the library de Fleury or of Saint-Henoit-sur-Loire. It was written, he says, in the second half of the sixteenth century, and made a quarto volume of 509 leaves with 20,529 lines, and its author is unknown. It was published for the first time (from the manuscript in the Vatican library in 1862), by MM. Guessard et de Certain, and forms part of the great collection of _documents inédits de l’histoire de France_. Quicherat says that the first author in modern times to mention the _Mystery of the Siege of Orleans_ was M. Paul Lacroix in his _Dissertation sur quelques points curieux de l’histoire de France_ (Paris, 1839). M. Adelbert Keller in his _Ronvart_ (Mannheim, 1844), gave a more extended notice with extracts. M. Salmon, a student in the _École des Chartes_, made elaborate notes of the Vatican MSS., which notes fell into the hands of M. Quicherat while writing his _Procès de condemnation et réhabilitation de Jeanne d’Arc_.
_Extracts from the “Mystery of the Siege of Orleans” as acted by Gilles de Retz_
According to this drama, it was Gilles de Retz, with Ambroise de Loré, who were charged by the king to conduct and act as guards for Joan of Arc from Blois to Orleans.
There is in the drama or poem the following speech made by the King to the Maid, directing her to go to Orleans:
“Et pour vous conduire voz gens Aurez le maréchal de Rais, Et ung gentilhomme vaillant Ambroise de Loré arés; Esquelz je commande exprès Ou il vous plaisa vous conduisent, En quelque lieu, soit loing, soit près.”
* * * * *
The Marshal de Retz says to the Maid:
“Dame, que vous plaist il de faire? Nous sommes au plus près de Blois; Se vous y voulez point retraire Et reposer deux jours ou trois, Pour savoir où sont les Anglois, Aussi pour rafrachir vos gens, Ou se vous aymez mieulx ainçois Aller droict jusques à Orléans?”
To which the Maid responded:
“Monseigneur, je suis bien contans Que à Blois donques nous allons, Pour noz gens la contre atmendans; Ce pendant, aussi penserons De noz affaires, et manderons Es Anglais que devant Orléans S’en voisent, ou combatuz seront, En mon Dieu, de moy et mes gens.”
* * * * *
The Marshal to the Maid:
“Madame, tout incontinant, Vostre vouloir acomplirons; Nous ferons assembler noz gens, Et presentement partirons. Droit à Orleans, nous nous menrons, Dame Jehanne, sans plus atendre.”
The Maid responded:
“Je vous empry, faictes le dont, Et vous pry y vueillez entendre.”
* * * * *
A discussion took place as to the proper route to follow. The Marshal thus expressed himself:
“Je doute aller par la Beausse: Le plus fort des Anglois y est, Toute leur puissance et force, Et tout le pays à eulx est. Y nous pourroient donner arrest, S’i savoyent nostre venue, Et peut estre grant intérest Seroit a nostre survenue. Si me semble que vauldroit mieulx Y aller devers la Sauloigne: Le dangier n’est pas si perilleux Et n’y a pas fort grant esloigne. Mieulx vault faire nostre besoigne, Et le dangier passer ainsi, Entret par la porte Bourgoigne, Et yrons passer à Checy.”
Ambroise de Loré responds:
“Vous avez très bien devisé, A Checy, nous y fault aller; Et est a vous bien advisé: Vous ne pourriez mieulx conseiller. Si n’en conviendra point parler A la Pucelle nullement; Si non que on la veult mener Droit à Orleans, tant seullement.”
This resolution being taken, Jean de Metz asked if it was not time to notify the Maid; to whom Gilles expressed his readiness to depart instantly:
“Je suis prest aussi, par mon âme, A aller quant elle vouldra. Dame, se il vous plaist partir. Voicy en point trestouz vos gens, Pour vostre vouloir accomplir A vous convoyer à Orléans.”
The Maid responded:
“En mon Dieu, croy que il est tant Et avons beaucoup demeuré, Que, ainsi comme je l’entend, Orléans a beaucoup enduré.”
* * * * *
The Marshal to the Maid on their arrival at Checy:
“Dame Jehanne, la Dieu mercy, Vous estes bien icy venue, En ceste ville de Checy, Sans nulle fortune avoir eue. Vous n’estes pas que à une lieue D’Orléans, comme je puis entendre; Ferons icy une repeue, Puis à Orléans yrons descendre.”
* * * * *
The English are put to flight; the Maid, about to return to the King, says to her companions in arms:
“Si est le baron de Colonnes, Viendra avecq moy, si luy plaist. De par moy luy prie et denonces Que luy et ses gens soient prest, Avecques le sire de Rais, Se c’est son plaisir y venir. Je les en supplie par exprest Compaignie me veullent tenir.”
The Sire of Colonnes accepts the invitation, as does the Baron de Retz, who says:
“Aussi moy, dame, ne doubtez. Faire vueil ce qui vous plaira; Mes aliez et depputez, Dame, sachez, tout y vendra. Et vostre voloir on fera Du tout en tout, à vostre guise, Et quand vouldrez on partira, En faisant à vostre devise.”
The Maid to both:
“Mes bons seigneurs, je vous mercie, Tant comme faire je le puis, De vostre haulte courtoisie. Nobles, vaillans princes gentilz Quant ainsi vous estes soubmis A mes bons voloirs acomplir. Je vous en rens cinq cens mercis Qu’i vous plaist cest honneur m’offrir.”
APPENDIX D
DEPOSITIONS AGAINST GILLES
_The Depositions in the Civil Court_
Peronne Loessart of Rochebernart, makes oath that the Baron de Retz, on returning from Vannes with his retinue, stopped in her town, at the Hotel of Jean Colin, in the immediate neighbourhood of her house. She had a son ten years of age then going to school whom one of the retinue of Gilles, called Poitou, desired to obtain as his page. It was agreed that he should have four pounds (_livres_) for his services, and Peronne, _cent souls_ (_sous_), five francs, for a dress, and Poitou should continue the boy at school. A pony was bought from the hotel-keeper for the boy to ride, and he departed on the morrow in the company. She talked with Gilles de Retz, and he commended her wisdom in placing the boy, and assured her it would be for her and his advantage. She had never seen her son afterwards, though this had taken place two years before. On a future journey, she had met the servants of Gilles, and on demanding news of her son, was informed that he was either at Tiffauges or Pouzauges.
(Signed) DE TOUSCHERONDE.[5]
[5] The depositions were all signed by Touscheronde and some other.
Jean Colin, his wife Olive, and her mother, support Peronne, and Colin says that he sold Poitou a pony for the sum of LX s., on which the boy was mounted and departed with the rest of the company.
Jean le Meignen, his wife, Allain Dulis, Perrot Dupouez, Guillaume Ganton, Guillaume Portuys, Jean le Fevre, clerc, all of Saint Étienne de Montluc (Loire-Inférieure) depose on their oaths that since about three years ago they had known a Guillaume Brice of their parish. He was a mendicant and had a son about eight or nine years of age named Jamet; that the father was now dead about one year; that last Saint John’s day the said child disappeared and had never been heard of since in the neighbourhood. No one knew what had become of him. He was last seen near the wood of Saint Étienne, and Dupouez says that about the same time he met a woman of fifty or sixty years, hardened and strong, with a visage _vermaillé_ (bronzed), supposed to be _la Meffraye_, who, it was believed, had abducted the boy. She was making her way towards Nantes.
Guillaume Fouraige, his wife Jehanne, the wife of Jean le Flou, Richarde, wife of Jean Gaudeau, from the Port de Launay near Coueron (Loire-Inférieure), record on their oaths the loss of the son, an infant of about twelve years, of Jean Bernart, their neighbour; that he started in the direction of Machecoul to ask alms (on a begging expedition) from which he had never returned, nor had anybody in their neighbourhood ever received news of him. The woman, Fouraige, told of meeting or seeing an old woman with a gray gown and black bonnet (supposed to be _Meffraye_) with a young boy in her company, who said she was on her way to Machecoul. In two or three days she returned alone. Being asked what had become of the child, she responded that she had placed him to live with a good master.
28, 29, and 30 September, 1440.
André Barbe, shoemaker, living at Machecoul, says that since Easter he has heard that the son of Georget le Barbier has been lost; that he (the witness) had seen the boy on a certain day gathering apples in the rear of the hotel Rondeau, and since that time he had never been seen in the neighbourhood; that the mothers of the neighbourhood had great fear for the loss of their children and guarded them very closely. He had been at Saint Jean d’Angely where some of the residents demanded whence he came, and when he said “from Machecoul,” they responded, “That is the place where they eat the small children.” He recounts the loss of several other children from his neighbourhood: Guillaume Jeudon, Jehannot Roucin, Alexandre Chastelier. He had heard at the church of Trinity de Machecoul, a stranger in search of his child of seven years, who had been gone for eight months or more.
Jehannet, wife of Guillaume Sergent, of Saint Croix de Machecoul, said that during the Pentecost a year before, she and her husband went to dig the field to sow hemp, leaving in their house a son of eight years to care for a baby one and a-half years. On their return the boy was gone and has never been heard of seen since.
Georget le Barbier, living near the gates of the Château de Machecoul, deposed that he had a son named Guillaume, of the age of eighteen years, that about the fête of Saint Barnabas he went after dinner to Machecoul to play _pelote_; that since vespers of the day on which he had played _pelote_ he had never been seen or heard of, although he, the father, had made every investigation and demand possible. He further says it is notorious and the people murmur, saying that infants are murdered in the said château. He has also heard that the boy who was page of Monsieur François Prelati, and who lived with him, was also lost.
Guillaume Hylairet, and his wife Jehanne, living at Machecoul, have heard say that the son of the said Georget le Barbier had been lost, and no one knew where he was or what had become of him. They say, further, that about eight or seven years ago they had living with them a child of twelve years, the son of Jean Jeudon, as an apprentice to learn the trade of furrier; that Gilles de Sillé, accompanied by Roger de Briqueville, had asked to send the boy to the château of Machecoul with a message, which was accordingly done; that the boy never returned and was never seen or heard of in the neighbourhood; that upon his demand, made to Sillé and Briqueville, as to what had become of the boy, they responded that he was possibly at Tiffauges, but thought some of the _larrons_ (thieves) had carried him off to be their page; that he, the witness, knew of the loss of the infants of Jehannet Roucin and Alexandre Chastelier; that he had heard the parents complain of their loss _doloreusement_. Guillaume says that about five years since he heard a man, Jean du Jardin, then living with Monsieur Roger de Briqueville, say that they had found at the castle of Champtocé a caskful, _toute plaine_, of the bodies of dead infants; that it was common and notorious talk that these infants were murdered at the château of Machecoul; that he has heard the same complaint made by others, of the _perdicion d’autres enffants_.
Jehan Thipholoz, Sr., Jehan Thifoloz, Jr., Jouhan Aubin, Clemens Doré, of Tonaye (Charente-Inférieure) have heard the complaints of Mathelin Thouars, of the same parish, for about half a year, that his son, a child about twelve years, had been lost, and that he had no knowledge of his whereabouts, nor could he obtain any news of him.
Jehan Roucin, of Machecoul, says that about nine years ago his son, a child then about nine years of age, was in the field guarding the cattle; at night he did not return, and has never returned, nor have they ever had any news of him. They were told by a neighbour, since dead, that she had seen Gilles de Sillé with a tabart and an estamine (a sort of cloak and veil) going to and speaking with the child, whom he conducted to the postern-gate of the château; that the complaints of their neighbours, especially Jeudon, of the loss of their infants, are notorious.
Johanne, widow of Hemery Edelin, and previous wife of Jehan Bonneau, of Machecoul, says that she had a son of the age of eight years, going to school; that he lived with his grandmother near the château. About eight years ago her child was lost and has never been heard of since; that she knew the boy Roucin, and another of Geudon, which were lost; that about fifteen days after, another child, that of Macé Sorin, was also lost; that this created a great clamour, upon which it was explained that these children, with others, had been captured to serve as hostages with the English, for the deliverance of Monsieur Michel de Sillé, then prisoner, and it was said that the ransom of the said Michel had been fixed by the English at twenty-four male infants. About two or three years before, the witness had seen, at Machecoul, a stranger from Saint Mesme, near Chinon, who was crying piteously, complaining of the _perdicion_ of his child, but no news had ever been heard. She had heard the same complaint from a couple named Aisé or d’Aysée. She had also heard of the loss of many other infants in Brittany, of which great complaint had been made; that seven alone had been lost from Tiffauges; that they had all been taken from the fields while guarding the cattle, and no one knew what had become of them or what to do about finding them.
Macé Sorin and his wife recount the loss of several of the foregoing, of whom nothing had ever been heard, and that it was presumed that they had been taken by the English for the ransom and deliverance of Michel de Sillé, prisoner.
Perrine, the wife of Clemens Rondeau, of Machecoul, declared that Monsieur François Prelati, and the Marquis de Ceva, while part of the retinue of the Baron de Retz, were lodged in a chamber of her house; that she heard the Marquis say to François that he had found a handsome page at Dieppe, at which François was joyful; that the page came to live with the said François, and was there for about fifteen days. Upon her demand of François as to where the boy had gone, and what had become of him, François responded that he had been deceived in him and had sent him away. That François and Eustache Blanchet also occupied another small house in the neighbourhood belonging to Perrot Cahn; that on the descent of Jean l’Abbé there had been found in the chamber the powdered bones of an infant, or infants, and she had seen an infant’s bloody chemise, which gave forth a bad odour.
André Brechet, of the Parish of Saint Croix de Machecoul, says that about a year and half before he was a watchman, or was watching at the castle of Machecoul, and after midnight he fell asleep; he was awakened by a contest on the wall in which a large man had his naked dagger, and said to the little one by his side, “You are dead” (_Tu est mort_); that he, the witness, was filled with great fear and quietly escaped.
Ysabeau, wife of Guillaume Hamelin, makes oath that about seven days before the end of the past year, she sent her two sons--one fifteen years, the other seven, or thereabouts--to the town of Machecoul to purchase bread, giving them the money therefor; that they never returned, and she has never had any news of or from them. She reports having heard a similar story from Micheau Bouer and his wife, who had also lost one of their infants, who had never since been seen. She was supported in the testimony of her loss by Perrot Pasqueteau, Jehan Soreau, Katerine de Grepie, Guillaume Garnier, Perrine wife of Jehan Caeffin, Jehanne wife of Estienne Landays, and Perrot Soudan.
Guillemete, wife of Micheau Bouer, declares upon her oath that seven days after Easter last, her son of eight years, a beautiful white infant, _bel enffant et blanc_, went to Machecoul; that he never returned and they have never received any news, however many searches she and her husband have made. That on the day after they had given charity at Machecoul for the deceased Mahé Le Breton, she, who was guarding the cattle as they grazed, was approached by a large man, in black, who, among other things, asked of her where were the children who usually guarded the cattle. She said that they had gone to Machecoul, when he departed in that direction.
Guillaume Rodigo, living at Bourgneuf-en-Rais, testifies to the loss of his apprentice, aged fifteen years. Marguerite Sorin, chambermaid for Rodigo, tells how, as she and the boy were playing some games together in the house after supper, Poitou came and, taking the boy apart, talked to him in a low voice. On his departure she interrogated the boy as to what was said, but he refused to tell. Soon after he left the house in his doublet without saying where he was going. Since then she has never seen him or heard any news of him. They were supported by Guillaume Plumet and his wife, and Michel Gerart.
Thomas Aysée and his wife, living at Machecoul, declare that at the last fête of Pentecost they sent their son of ten years to ask alms at the castle, and that they have never seen their son since; he has never returned. They heard, from a girl, that she had seen the son at the château, along with others who were also asking alms; that alms were given first to the girls and then to the boys; that this girl said she had heard one of the men of the castle say to this boy that he had not had any meat (that is, to eat), and invite him into the castle to be fed, whereupon both entered and the boy was seen no more.
Jannette, the wife of Eucasse (Eustache?) Douret, of Saint Ligier, declares on oath that about fifteen days before Christmas last, having heard that the Baron de Retz would give alms, according to the custom in her own town, she sent her two boys, one of ten years, the other of seven, and though some of her neighbours had seen them on the way, and at the town of Machecoul, she had never seen them since, and although she and her husband had made every search, they had obtained no news.
October 2, 1440.
Jehan de Grepie, Regnaud Donété, of the parish of Notre Dame of Nantes, says under oath, that about Saint John’s day, two years past, she lost a child of about twelve years while on his way to school, and since then she had never seen him. The only news had been that Perrine Martin, a prisoner in Nantes, had confessed that she had taken the said child to the Baron de Retz in his chamber, at his Hôtel de la Suze in Nantes; that the said Baron had commanded her to take the child to Machecoul and deliver him to the porter, and this she had done. That she had heard Jean Hubert and Denis de Lemyon, acquaintances of his, complain each one of having lost a son; that at the time of the loss of his son, Gilles de Retz was at his Hôtel de la Suze in Nantes, and that the said Perrine lived near him. The witness made complaint to various of the servants and followers of Gilles at his said house (Hôtel de la Suze) and she was always told that they thought his son had gone to Machecoul to become a page.
Jean Jenvret and his wife, of Nantes, declare their loss of a son of nine years in the same way, and by the same person as told by Donété.
Jean Hubert and his wife, of Saint Leonart, in Nantes, declare that on Thursday after Saint John’s day last, two years ago, they lost their son, fourteen years of age; that he made the acquaintance of some of the men servants, or followers of Gilles de Retz; that he talked with his mother of the promises they had made if he would enter the service with them. He recounted how he had seen the Baron de Retz in his chamber and waited upon him, for which he had received a present of some cake which he had brought to his mother; that after his permanent entry into the service of the Baron, and his departure from Nantes, they had never seen or heard of him more.
Agaice, wife of Denis de Lemion, says that about a year and a half before, her nephew of the age of eighteen years, who frequented the Hôtel de la Suze, where resided the Baron de Retz, was approached by one of his men, or servants, with an offer to enter the service of the Baron, which he did, and has never returned or been heard of since.
Jehanne, wife of Guibelet Delit, declares that during the Easter holidays, she lost a child of seven years; that he frequented la Suze, where a man named Cherpy had persuaded him to join the service of the Baron de Retz. This done, she had never seen or had news of her child.
Jehan Toutblanc, of Saint Étienne de Montluc, records that at Saint Julian a year ago, on departing from his house, he left it in charge of a young ward of fourteen years, named Jean also, for whom he was tutor. On his return from his journey, he could not find the boy, has never seen him, nor heard any news from him.
Jean Fougere, of Saint Donacien, near Nantes, records that about two years since he lost his son of twelve years, a well-favoured boy, and that since that time he has had no news as to what became of him.
Jean Ferot, Guillaume Jacob, Perrin Blanchet, Thomas Beauvis, Eonnet Jehan, Denis de Lemyon, of the parish of Notre Dame, of Nantes, record under their oaths, their knowledge concerning the loss of the sons of Jean Hubert, Régnaud Donété, and Guillaume Avril, that complaints and public clamour have been heard by these witnesses for two years and a half; that for one year past it has been commonly said that the Baron de Retz abducts infants in order to slay them.
Nicole, wife of Vincent Bonnereau; Philipe, wife of Mathis Ernaut; Jehanne, wife of Guillaume Prieur, all of the parish of Saint Croix of Nantes, support the claim of Jean Jenvret and his wife as to the loss of their son of nine years, and that for a year and a half they have heard by common report that _le sire de Retz_ and his men capture and kill small children. They have also heard of the loss of the young son of Eonnet de Villeblanche, and that for three months past he has not been seen in his neighbourhood nor heard from.
October 6, 1440.
Jean Estaisse and Michele, his wife, testify to the loss of a boy of the age of eleven years named Perrot Dagaie. Relate the notoriety of the rumour that the Baron de Retz and his men capture and kill infants.
Jean Chiquet, parchment-maker, testifies to the evil reputation of the Baron de Retz and his men in abducting children.
Pierre Badieu, cloth merchant of Chanteloup, testifies to the abduction of two children aged about nine years, the infants of Robin Pavot.
Jean Darel describes his son, who, while the father was sick in bed, was captured in the Rue du Mercheil, where he was playing with other children; that he has no knowledge by whom or where he was taken; that he has never seen or heard of him since.
Jehanne, wife of Darel, says that on the day of Saint Père (or Pierre) June 29th, one year ago, there was abducted from her place in the city of Nantes, her son, Olivier, seven or eight years of age, since which time she has never seen him nor had any news of him. Her mother describes the abduction by saying that she was coming from vespers, leading the child; that near the church of Saint Saturnine, when in the crowd, somebody made away with the child; that she and all his relatives sought for him in every direction, but they have never seen or heard of him since.
Eonnette, wife of Jean Bremant, supports the foregoing witnesses as to the abduction of Olivier.
Nichole, wife of Jean Hubert, of the parish of Saint Vincent, had a son named Jean of fourteen years of age, who was lost or abducted as described by her husband aforesaid. She sustains him in his testimony.
Jean Bureau and his wife, Johanne, Thebault Geoffroi and her daughter, and Guillaume Hemeri, support the claim of the abduction of the Hubert child.
De la Grepie, Régnaud Donété, Jean Ferot and his wife, Pierres Blanchett, and Guillaume Jacob, all support the claim of the abduction of the apprentice, Donété, heretofore described.
INDEX
A
Abduction of children by Gilles de Retz, chap. iv., 64–71, 106, 195
Aids, assistants, and familiars of Gilles, 71–75
Allegiance to Duke of Brittany, 11
Ancient buildings, description of, 46, 47; inscriptions on, 47
Appendix A, Mother Goose publications, 188
Appendix B, Bluebeard stories, 186
Appendix C, _Mystery of the Siege of Orleans_, 189
Appendix D, Depositions in Civil Court against Gilles, 195
Army service of Gilles, in histories of France, 22, 23
Arrest of Gilles, 84–90
Attack and capture of Rainefort, 17
B
Beaumanoir, duel with Tournemine, 169
Bishop of Nantes, 80–84, 93–95, 100–116, 122, 127, 139
Blouyn, Jean, Vice-Inquisitor, 95, 100, 102, 105, 140
Bluebeard, an infantile classic, ix., xiv.; stories of, Appendix B, 186
“Bonne Vierge de Créé-Lait,” niche and statue of, 179
Bouffay, Palais de Justice, 169; duel between Beaumanoir and Tournemine in courtyard of, 169
C
Cathedral of Nantes, 45
Château of Champtoceaux captured and John V. released, 11
Château of Malicorne captured, 17
Château de Clisson transferred to Gilles, 12
Château de Nantes, 90–92 (frontispiece); Edict of Nantes signed by Henry IV. in, 91; prisoners in: Cardinal of Retz, Minister Fouché, Madam Sevigné, and Duchess of Berry, 92
Citation to Gilles, 82–84
Confession of Gilles, 135–159
Coronation of the King, 20; Gilles guard for the Sainte Ampoule at, 20
Court, officers of, 94–97, 130; opening of, 100; presided over by Bishop of Nantes and assistants, 93; records of, 98–101, 105–108; Appendix D, 195
Craon, Marie de, mother of Gilles, 3
Crimes of Gilles, chap. iv., 64–93
Criminal law in France and other countries, history of, 96
Criminal practice in France, 131–133
D
Declaration of infamy against Gilles, 80–82
Decree of excommunication, 124, 164; revoked, 126, 165; in writing, 129
Depositions against Gilles, 105; Appendix D, 195
Duel between Beaumanoir and Tournemine, 169
DUKE OF BRITTANY: Alliance of, with France, 15–16 l’Abbé, Jean, captain in service of, arrests Gilles, 84, 90 Blois, family of, John V., 9 Decree of King against Gilles refused by, 60 Defeat of Blois, peace with Montfort, 9 Favors bishop against Gilles, 84, 85 France, alliance with and war for, 15, 16; history of, 13–23 Gilles’s father and family on side of Blois, 9 Imprisonment of, in Château de Champtoceaux, 11; release of, 11, 15 Montfort against Penthièvres and Blois, 9 Nantes, château of, castle for the Duke, 90, 92 Penthièvres and Blois condemned and banished, 12, 13 Son of a younger son _vs._ daughter of an elder son, 9 War for the succession of, 9, 11
E
Education of Gilles, 6–8
Espousal of cause of King of France by Gilles, 15
Evidence against Gilles, 105; Appendix D, 195
Excommunication of Gilles, 124, 126, 129, 165
Execution of Gilles, x., chap. vii., 177
Expenses greater than income, resorts to magic, 62, 63
Extravagance of Gilles, 39, 40, 50–53, 55, 57, 60
F
Family of Gilles, _see_ Gilles de Retz
Folly and ambition of Gilles, 39, 40
France, alliance with Brittany, 15, 16; history of, 13–23
Friends and companions of Gilles, 17
G
GILLES DE RETZ: Abduction of children by, 64, 71, 106, 195 Aids and assistants, familiars of: Eustache Blanchet, Henriet Griart, Jean Roussignol, Gilles de Sillé, Perrin Martin _alias_ LaMeffraye, François Prelati, Hugues de Bremont, Étienne Corrilaut _alias_ Poitou, Robin Romulart, 71–75 Allegiance of, to Duke of Brittany, 11 Army service of, in histories of France, 22, 23 Arrest of, 84–90 Attack and capture of Rainefort by, 17; of Lamballe, Guingamp, Broon, Malicorne; Champtoceaux captured and demolished and John V. released by, 11 Château de Clisson transferred to, 12 Citation to, 82–84 Coronation of the King, guard for the Sainte Ampoule at, 20 Crimes of, chap. iv., 64–93 Declaration of infamy against, 80, 82 Education of, 6–8 Espouses cause of King of France, 15 Expenses greater than income, resorts to magic and philosopher’s stone, 62, 83 Family of, (Laval [Montmorency-Laval], Rais [changed to Retz, 1581], Machecoul, Craon), 1 Father, Guy, 1–3; death of, 4 Mother, Marie de Craon, 3; remarriage of, 4 Brother, René de la Suze, 4 Wife, Catherine de Thouars, 5; separated from, 61; remarriage of, 180 Daughter, Marie, married, 180; died, 180 Grandfather, paternal, Guy Bremor, 2, 10 Grandfather, maternal, Jean de Craon, 2, 4 Grandmother, a sister of great Du Guesclin, 2 Great-grandmother, Jeanne _la Folle_, 2 After execution of, 180, 181 Folly and ambition of, 39, 40 Friends and companions in arms of: Ambroise de Loré, Baron Beaumanoir, La Hire, 17 Joan of Arc, Gilles is captain of guard for, and in service with, through France, ix., 9, 19, Appendix C, 189 Life of, at home in Brittany (1430–1439), 24–63 Life, pleasure, business, etc., of, 27 Magic, resorts to, in aid of his failing fortunes, 61–63 Maison de la Suze, expensive decoration of, 55 Marriage of, 6 First and second betrothals, fiancées both die, 5 Married to Catherine de Thouars, 5 Wife’s dot, 5 Marshal of France, 19 Music, fondness for, 27 Personal appearance of, 24–27 Property of, raided by Margaret de Clisson, 12 Lands inherited, 2, 5, 28, 29 Sales and transfers, 30–32 Value of, estimated, 30, 39, 41, 50, 53, 55, 56, 60 Religious hierarchy of, bishop, chapel, paraphernalia, etc., 27, 28, 41, 48, 53, 54, 57, 58 Ruinous expenditures of, 39, 40, 50–53, 55, 57, 60 Search for Elixir of Youth and Philosopher’s stone, x. Siege and capture of Orleans by, 19 Signature and rubric of, 22 Sixteen years old at commencement of civil war, 10, 13 Soldier (1420–1429), chap. ii., 19–23; for France, 17 Spendthrift, 53 Submits to arrest, 86, 89, 100 Theatre, love for, and indulgence in, 33–50 Trial and execution of, x., chaps. v.–vii., 93–182 Before Ecclesiastical Tribunal, chap. v., 93–166 Before Civil Court, chap, v., 167 Depositions, Ecclesiastical Court, 105; Civil Court, Appendix D, 195 Jean Blouyn, Vice-Inquisitor and aid to Bishop, commission of, 102, 103 Officers of court, 94, 95, 97, 130 Opening of court, 100 Presided over by Bishop of Nantes and assistants, 93 Records of, 98–101, 105–108, Appendix D, 195
Guard of honour at coronation of King, 20
I
Infamy, declaration of, against Gilles, 80–82
J
Joan of Arc, ix., 19, 21–23
L
La Hire, prayer of, before assault on Montargis, 18
Laval, original family name, changed to Rais by will of Joan la Sage, 3
M
Machecoul, château of, 1, 2, 5, 29
Magic, resort of Gilles to, to aid his failing fortunes, 61–63
Maison de la Suze, Nantes, 46; decoration of, 55
Marshal of France, Gilles made, 19
_Mémoires des Héritiers_, 28 Gives lists of Gilles’s lands and from what family inherited, 28, 29 Inaugurated by his brother and cousin, 28, 29 Interdiction of sale or transfer by the King, 55–61 Sales and transfers of property by Gilles, 30–32 Sentence of the King under, 55–61 Value of his property estimated in, 30, 39, 41, 50, 53, 55, 56, 60
Montargis, siege of, 18
Mother Goose publications, 183
Music, Gilles’s fondness for, 27
_Mystery of the Siege of Orleans_, 41–43; Appendix C, 189; of Lord Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, 43–49
N
Notices, public, made in France by trumpet or drum, 43–45, 60
O
Orleans, expensive visit of Gilles to, 50–52
P
PERRAULT, CHARLES: Author of the story of Bluebeard, xi. Identity of Gilles de Retz with Bluebeard, xiv. Life and history of, xi. Member of Academy of France, xii. Mother Goose stories, first publication of, by, xiii.; names of, xiii. Writings of, xi., xiii.
Personal appearance of Gilles, 24–26
Pierre de l’Hospital, Chief Justice of Brittany, 93, 135–138, 168, 174, 175
Portraits of Gilles, 24
Prairie de Piesse, place of execution, 175
Prelati, François, alchemist, 73, 127, 139, 167, 168
Property of Gilles: Lands inherited, 2, 5, 28, 29 Raided by Margaret de Clisson, 12 Sales and transfers of, 30–32 Value estimated, 30, 39, 41, 50, 53, 55, 56, 60
R
Records of trial in archives of Loire-Inférieure, 98–100, 170
Religious hierarchy (pseudo), 27, 28, 41, 48, 53, 54, 57, 58
René de la Suze, brother of Gilles, 4, 28, 29
Retz changed from Rais in 1581, 1, 3
Richemont, Count of, Constable of France, 16
S
Sentence of Henriet and Poitou, 174; of Gilles, 168, 175
Shahan, Dr. Thomas J., ix., xv.
Streets, decoration of, custom continued in France, 36, 37
Suze, Maison de la, 55
T
Theatre: History of, in France, 32–38 Mysteries, moralities, dramas, and farces, 35–38 Religious plays, fostered by the clergy, 33–35 Streets decorated during, custom in France, 36, 37 Travelling shows in small towns in France, 35, 36
Three languages spoken in Brittany in time of Gilles, 7, 137, 172
Tiffauges, castle of, 75–78; laboratory for magic and black art, used as, 78, 79
Torture of Gilles, order for, 134
Tournemine, duel with Beaumanoir, 169
Trial of Gilles by Ecclesiastical Court, chap. v., 93, 167 Address to public, 160–163 Acknowledges jurisdiction and admits guilt, 125 Bishop of Nantes presiding officer, 93 Blouyn, Jean, Vice-Inquisitor, aid to Bishop, 95, 100, 102, 105, 140 Confession of Gilles during, 137–159 Criminal law in France, history of, 96; practice of, 131–133; torture under, 134 Decree of excommunication, 124, 126, 129, 165 Depositions, 105–109 Excommunication, 124–126, 129, 165 Information against Gilles, 116, 123 Order for torture of Gilles, 134 Plea of “not guilty” entered, 127 Refusal to plead, of Gilles, 110–116, 123, 124 Sentence of Court, 163, 164 Three languages employed, 137, 172 Witnesses against Gilles, 105–109, 127
Trial of Gilles before Civil Court, chap. vi., 167–177 Bouffay, Palais de Justice, 169 Depositions, Appendix D, 195–206 Henriet, Griart, and Poitou tried with Gilles, 167 Palais de Justice, Place Bouffay, 169 Pierre de l’Hospital, presiding, 93, 135–138 Poitou tried with Henriet and Gilles, 167 Record of trial in archives at Nantes, 98–108, Appendix D, 195 Sentence of Gilles, Henriet, and Poitou, 174, 175
Transcriber’s Notes
Italic text is enclosed in _underscores_; small-caps text has been raised to ALL-CAPS; superscripted text is preceded by a caret ^e, and enclosed in braces ^{me} when more than one character in length.
Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a predominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they were not changed.
Simple typographical errors were corrected; unbalanced quotation marks were remedied when the change was obvious, and otherwise left unbalanced.
The spellings of non-English words were not reviewed by Transcriber.
The Title page hyphenates “BLUE-BEARD”; the rest of the book does not.
Uncaptioned illustrations are decorative headpieces and tailpieces.
The index was not checked for proper alphabetization or correct page references.