02813cam a22003613u 4500 59955 UtSlPG 20260610134400.0 m cr n 260607r2019||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d 00000083 UtSlPG en iso639-1 DC Wilson, Thomas, 1832-1902 Blue-beard: A Contribution to History and Folk-lore : Being the history of Gilles de Retz of Brittany, France, who was executed at Nantes in 1440 A.D., and who was the original of Blue-beard in the tales of Mother Goose Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2019 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2019-07-21 Produced by Chris Curnow, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) "Blue-beard: A Contribution to History and Folk-lore" by Thomas Wilson is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the chilling life of Gilles de Retz, a 15th-century nobleman and one of the most notorious figures in French history, often cited as the inspiration for the legendary character Bluebeard from folkloric tales. The narrative explores his early life, military career, decadence, and ultimately, his heinous crimes, asserting a deeper connection to the longstanding mythos surrounding him. The opening of the text introduces Gilles de Retz as a significant historical figure, detailing his noble lineage, wealth, and military achievements, including his association with Joan of Arc. It paints a vivid picture of his early life, education, and eventual rise to prominence as a Marshal of France, showcasing his initial valor in battle and lavish lifestyle. However, it heralds the transformation of his character as he becomes entangled in darker pursuits, leading to his infamous reputation for abducting and murdering children, which sets the stage for the unfolding tragedy of his life. The meticulous detailing of Gilles's circumstances foreshadows the monstrous revelations that follow, merging history with the eerie folklore of Bluebeard. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Marshals -- France -- Biography Rais, Gilles de, 1404-1440 Criminals -- France -- Biography France -- History -- Charles VII, 1422-1461 -- Biography Bluebeard (Legendary character) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59955 100781 100781