History
The Marquis de Rais produced a translation of forbidden books of eldritch knowledge known as the Thanatosian Tomes, in 1623.[1]
Notes
- The Marquis de Rais was presumably based on the likes of other eldritch knowledge tomes' authors such as Abdul Alhazred, Von Junzt, Laban Shrewsbury and Ludvig Prinn, as the translator of the Thanatosian Tomes, themselves presumably inspired by books such as the Necronomicon, Unaussprechlichen Kulten ("Nameless Cults"), the Celeano Fragment, or the De Vermis Mysteriis (among others), iconic elements of the Cthulhu Mythos.
- Marquis de Rais is an actual title, held at least by Charles, Marquis de Rais, who was active in the early[2] to mid-18th century. Though, it appears the title wasn't held circa 1623: Gui du Breil was knight and owner of the lordship of Rais circa 1612, while in 1647, Jean du Breil was the first comte de Rais (count of Rais).[3]
- Rather than being based on the historical Marquis de Rais, Marvel Comics' Marquis de Rais was possibly inspired by "Gilles de Rais" (1405-1440), Baron of Retz, a knight and lord from Britanny, Anjou and Poitou, and French military leader, later accused of murdering numerous children and dealing with the Devil. Gilles de Rais is mentioned in passing, along with the Marquis De Sade, in H.P. Lovecraft's story "The Rats in the Walls" (Weird Tales; March, 1924), which could be the origin of "The Marquis de Rais"' name.
Trivia
- Based on his name, the Marquis de Rais is seemingly Breton and/or French.