medieval murderer of children gilles de rais may have been the inspiration for the character of bluebeard. de rais was a marshal of france and joan of arc's military companion. his victims (mostly young boys) were said to number 140. the breton king comorre the cursed (c.500 ad) is another candidate. tales similar to "bluebeard" include "the fitcher's bird" by the brothers grimm and the english tale "mr. fox".