Many adaptations of Bluebeard have been created over the years, and you’ll hear his name used in multiple movies and books, usually ones about pirates. But who was Bluebeard? And what is the true story behind the fairy tale?
The tale of Bluebeard is far more grim than most people remember. It begins with a noble Frenchman, whose beard is so black it looks slightly blue, that has had a series of wives who suffered unfortunate deaths. Bluebeard is a wealthy man with a marvelous castle, and in most stories claims that his wives died of various illnesses. It is not until his new wife, the youngest of all, is left alone in their home that the truth is uncovered.
Bluebeard, who was leaving to go off to war, left this wife with the keys to his castle. He instructed her to invite over whoever she please, and that she can access any room in the house with the keys. He tells her, though, of one small door at the end of the corridor that she must never enter unless she wishes to meet his wrath and rage.
Of course, this comment left her curious, and long after he left for war she unlocked the door to tame her curiosity. When she ventured into the basement, she found the bodies of Bluebeard’s previous wives hanging from hooks on the wall. She’s so shocked by her discovery that she drops his keys into the puddles of blood at her feet. Later, she desperately tries to clean the key, but it’s magical and does not rinse clean.
Bluebeard returns and finds the blood on the key and becomes enraged. He is set to kill his wife by cutting off her head with his blade, but her brothers rush in and kill him to save their sister’s life.
Now, Charles Perrault was known for his eerie stories, but many people think that Bluebeard was based on a real person, which makes the fairy tale far more creepy.
Many accounts say that Bluebeard himself is based on Conomor the Accursed, Prince of Pohor. Now, Conomor lived in the 4th century, so many details of his life have been passed down by oral tale. These stories say that he was a wealthy, powerful man who owned a large piece of property as well as a lavish mansion. Eventually, Conomor acquired many surrounding lands, killing one King and then marrying his widow.
This widow fears him and manages to escape, so King Conomor sets after another young woman’s hand in marriage, St. Trephine. Eventually, the marriage is arranged and the young woman is begrudgingly married to the ghastly Frenchman. However, Conomor was told by a prophet that he would be killed by his own son, so when she found out she was pregnant, she feared for her own life.
In an attempt to find a way to escape his castle, she ventured into the royal crypt. Here she finds five caskets, each filled with a woman’s body who was suspected to be one of King Conomor’s past wives. There is also another coffin, empty, which she suspects is meant for her.
Later, King Conomor learns of his wife’s discovery and cuts off her head. There are definitely some similarities between Bluebeard and King Conomor. The idea that this grim fairy tale may have roots in historical truth definitely adds a certain chill factor.
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