Read Trial of Gilles De Rais Online
Authors: George Bataille
Tags: #Non-Fiction, #Cultural Anthropology, #Psychology, #True Crime, #European History, #France, #Social History, #v.5, #Literary Studies, #Medieval History, #Amazon.com, #Criminology, #Retail, #History
Trial of Gilles De Rais (52 page)
46
Jean CHARTIER,
Chronniqiie de Charles VII
…. recent ed ….by VOLLET DE VIRIVILLE …, vol. II.pp. 5 — 6.
Chronniqiie de Charles VII
…. recent ed ….by VOLLET DE VIRIVILLE …, vol. II.pp. 5 — 6.
47
Our emphasis.
48
A. BOURDEAUT
Chantocé
,
Gilles de Rays et le Ducs de Bregne,
p. 148.
Chantocé
,
Gilles de Rays et le Ducs de Bregne,
p. 148.
49
That is Abbot Bourdeaut“s opinion (
op. cit.,
p. 148).
op. cit.,
p. 148).
50
A. BOURDEAUT,
op. cit.,
p. 114, note 2.
op. cit.,
p. 114, note 2.
51
A. BOURDEAUT,
op. cit.,
p. 121.
op. cit.,
p. 121.
52
Op. cit., p.
135.
135.
53
Op.
cit.
,
p.
137.
cit.
,
p.
137.
54
It is through Abbot Bourdeaut, by means of the archival documents, that we know of Prelati’s adventures after his master’s death (op.
cit.,
pp. 128-130).
cit.,
pp. 128-130).
55
A. BOUKDEAUT,
op. cit.,
p. 130.
op. cit.,
p. 130.
56
In
Essai sur les Mœurs,
ch. LXXX.
Essai sur les Mœurs,
ch. LXXX.
57
saloon REINACH, “Gilles de Rais,” in
Cultes, Mythes et Religions,
vol. IV, (Paris: 1912), in 8vo, pp. 267-299.
Cultes, Mythes et Religions,
vol. IV, (Paris: 1912), in 8vo, pp. 267-299.
58
We cite as an exception the work of Dr. Lodovico FERNANDEZ, the pseudonym of Fernand FLEURET:
Le Proces inquisitorial de Gilles de Rais
(Paris: 1922), in 8vo. The author, in a preface that is an essay for rehabilitation and that precedes a very defective translation from Latin, restricts himself to reproducing Salomon Reinach’s arguments. On the other hand, scholars like Emile Gabory
(La
Vie
et la Mort de Gilles de Rais
… Paris, 1930) and Abbot Bourdeaut
(Chantocé, Gilles de Rays et le Duc de Bretagne,
Rennes, 1924) have no doubt about the guilt that emerges from the totality of documents. In particular, Abbot Bourdeaut has an extraordinary familiarity with the details. It is he who pointed out that the sum due Jean Labbé for the Marshal’s arrest was not paid until 1467, which, if he had been an accomplice in the plot, would not have been conceivable.
Le Proces inquisitorial de Gilles de Rais
(Paris: 1922), in 8vo. The author, in a preface that is an essay for rehabilitation and that precedes a very defective translation from Latin, restricts himself to reproducing Salomon Reinach’s arguments. On the other hand, scholars like Emile Gabory
(La
Vie
et la Mort de Gilles de Rais
… Paris, 1930) and Abbot Bourdeaut
(Chantocé, Gilles de Rays et le Duc de Bretagne,
Rennes, 1924) have no doubt about the guilt that emerges from the totality of documents. In particular, Abbot Bourdeaut has an extraordinary familiarity with the details. It is he who pointed out that the sum due Jean Labbé for the Marshal’s arrest was not paid until 1467, which, if he had been an accomplice in the plot, would not have been conceivable.
59
Falschoods that he believed himself capable of authenticating by his own authority, as unduly as he believed himself capable of styling the falsification of Gilles de Rais’ trial.
60
Charles-Victor Langlois, former director of the French Archives.
61
That consequently these crimes are not as inexplicable as they seemed to him. This is a question, in fact, of a great Hungarian lady Erszebeth Bathory, of the royal family, whom Valentine Penrose
(Merrure de France
publications) made the object of a study. In truth, Erszebeth Bathory did not kill children: she tortured and put to death young girls, but in her castle her victims were, like the Marshal’s, innumerable-. Behind the high walls of feudal lords and ladies many horrors were possible: arresting persons of princely rank did not catch on quickly. At least in times as backward as, for France, the first part of the 15th and, for Hungary, the end of the 16th century.
(Merrure de France
publications) made the object of a study. In truth, Erszebeth Bathory did not kill children: she tortured and put to death young girls, but in her castle her victims were, like the Marshal’s, innumerable-. Behind the high walls of feudal lords and ladies many horrors were possible: arresting persons of princely rank did not catch on quickly. At least in times as backward as, for France, the first part of the 15th and, for Hungary, the end of the 16th century.
62
E. BOUSSARD,
Gilles de Rais
… , 1st ed. (1885), pp. 393-397.
Gilles de Rais
… , 1st ed. (1885), pp. 393-397.
63
Vol. II (Paris. 1867), in 4vo, pp- 214-215.
64
Légendes bretonnes
(Paris, 1863), in 18mo.
(Paris, 1863), in 18mo.
65
Apparently this concerns the transcript, drafted the next day, as reported in the legal notice that follows.
66
In Latin:
de Alnetis.
de Alnetis.
67
Translator’s note: see p.158, note 2.
68
In Old French in the original Latin text: “Je ne feroye rien pour vous comme evesque de Nantes.”
69
François Prelati.
70
Étienne Corrillaut, called Poitou.
71
Étienne Corrillaut, called Poitou.
72
André Buchet.
73
Translator’s note: italicized in the French {
douves
}.
douves
}.
74
These facts are inexactly related: see p. 97.
75
Spelled
Sceva
or
Seva
in the Latin text.
Sceva
or
Seva
in the Latin text.
76
Evidently this last sentence was tacked on after a formal reading of the bill of indictment, which occurred October 13, 1440. Gilles de Rais’ first confessions date from October 15th.
77
Antoine de Palerne.
78
François Prelati.
79
Jean Petit, the alchemist, not to be confused with Jean Petit, notary public of Nantes.
80
His deposition, of October 17, 1440, is given below (p. 226).
81
His deposition, of the same day, is given below (p. 217).
82
His deposition, of October 16, 1440, is given below (p. 203).
83
His deposition, of October 17, 1440, is given below (p. 210).
84
These two witnesses’ depositions are not included in the documents that have come down to us. We know that Perrine Martin died in prison, apparently some time after October 15th. And a certain Stephanie, or Tiphaine, appears below as detained at the same time as La Meffraye (p. 265 and note 22).
85
His deposition is given below (p. 236).
86
His deposition is given below (p. 237).
87
His deposition is given below (p. 234).
88
Gilles Heaume’s and Jean de Lanté’s depositions cannot be found in the documents handed down to us.
89
In Old French in the original Latin text: “Hélas! monseigneur, vous vous tourmentez et moy avecques.”
90
In Old French: “Je ne me tourmente point, mais je suis moult émerveillé de ce que vous me dictes and ne m’en puis bonnement contenter. Ainçois, je desire et vouldroye par vous en savoir la pure vérité pour les causes que je vous ay ja souvent dictes.”
91
In Old French in the original Latin text: “Vrayement il n‘y avoit autre cause, fin ne intencion que ce que je vous ay dit: je vous ay dit de plus grans choses que n’est cest cy et assez pour faire mourir dix mille hommes.”
92
In Old French in the original Latin text: “Adieu Francoys, mon amy! jamais plus ne nous entreverrons en cest monde; je pri Dieu qu’il vous doint bonne pacience et esperance en Dieu que nous nous entreverrons en la grant joye de paradis! Priez Dieu pour moy et je prieray pour vous.”
93
This concerns Florence, in Tuscany. Lombardy then signified Italy.
94
The original says in Latin, “per verba seu vocabula cooperta,” and glosses the expression in Old French as “par paroles couvertes.”
95
Translator’s note: see p. 158, note 2.
96
The following; text is preceded in the transcript by these words: “Content of the aforesaid memoranda of promulgation mentioned above, which follow and are such.”
97
“Affidavits of witnesses produced on the part of the aforesaid Master Guillaume Chapeillon, the prosecutor, before the aforesaid Reverend Father in God, Milord Jean, Bishop of Nantes, and Friar Jean Blouyn, Inquisitor into Heresy, by order and mandate of the aforesaid lords judges, faithfully and diligently examined, insofar as possible, on the abovecited articles of the aforesaid prosecutor, by us, Jean Delaunay, Jean Petit, Nicolas Géraud and Guillaume Lesné, aforesaid notaries public and commissioners, scribes deputed in the case and the cases of this order, by the aforesaid lords judges.”
98
Breton’s and the one Prelati himself had brought from Italy.
99
Rendered in French {
d’aimant
} in the original Latin text.
d’aimant
} in the original Latin text.
100
In French in the original Latin text.
101
François Prelati.
102
Jean Petit.
103
Georget Le Barbier.
104
François Prelati.
105
Lenano, Marquis de Ceva.
106
This term is not probable. Perhaps it is a question of three months. See also p. 234.
107
In French in the original Latin text. Editor’s note: this is a cutlass, or short-sword.
108
Translator’s note: italicized in the French {
douves
}.
douves
}.
109
In fact, Ascension Day, August 25, 1439.
110
In fact, around June 26, 1439.
111
In French {
sur une cimaise
} in the original Latin text. It doubtless concerns the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Editor’s note: a “cyma” is a cornice molding.
sur une cimaise
} in the original Latin text. It doubtless concerns the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Editor’s note: a “cyma” is a cornice molding.
112
In Old French in the original Latin text: “N’estoit pas messire Rogier de Briqueville bien traistre, qui nous faisoit regarder, Robin Romulart et moy, à la dame de Jarville et Thomin d’Araguin, par une fante, quant nous oustions lesdits ossemens et savoit bien tout ce fait?”
113
In French {
il fera venir maitre Aliboron
} in the original Latin text.
il fera venir maitre Aliboron
} in the original Latin text.
114
In French in the original Latin text.
115
Translator’s note: italicized in the French {
douves
}
.
douves
}
.
116
Probably three months. See p. 224.
117
In French in the original Latin text.
118
In Old French in the original Latin text: “N’cstoit pas messire Rogier de Briqueville bien traistre, qui nous faisoit regarder, Robin et moy, à la dame de Jarville et Thomin d’Araguin, par une fante quand nous oustions lesdiz ossemens, et savoit bien tout ce fait.”
119
In French {
qu’il ferait venir M
e
Aliboron
} in the original Latin text.
qu’il ferait venir M
e
Aliboron
} in the original Latin text.
120
In French {
la cimaise
} in the original Latin text. See p. 223, note 15.
la cimaise
} in the original Latin text. See p. 223, note 15.
121
In French {
jusarme
} in the original Latin text. Editor’s note: this is a double-edged halberd.
jusarme
} in the original Latin text. Editor’s note: this is a double-edged halberd.
122
In French {
Dehors
!
dehors!
} in the original Latin text.
Dehors
!
dehors!
} in the original Latin text.
123
Editor’s note: two kinds of helmets.
124
In Piedmont.
125
In French {
jusarme
} in the original Latin text.
jusarme
} in the original Latin text.
126
In Old French in the original Latin text: “Ha. ribault, tu as batu mes hommes, et leur as fait extortion; viens dehors de l’eglise ou je te tueroy tout mort!”
127
In French in the original Latin text.
128
A kind of helmet.
129
Another kind of helmet.
130
In French {
jusarme
} in the original Latin text.
jusarme
} in the original Latin text.
131
See p. 242, note 30.
132
Old French in the original: “Faictes ce que il vous plera.”
133
From the Old French of the “civil trial” transcript, dating from 1530; provenance of the Archives de la Trémoille, preserved in the National Archives, call number 1 AP 585. This unauthenticated copy is the oldest and the best.
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