September 15

In September 1440, Gilles de Rais, a celebrated French nobleman and war hero, was taken into custody in Nantes following charges brought by Bishop Jean de Malestroit. Once famed for his service alongside Joan of Arc, de Rais faced accusations of kidnapping, torture, and murder of children. His arrest shocked the nobility and laid bare the grim details of his alleged atrocities. The trial exposed the darker side of medieval power, intertwining superstition, justice, and political intrigue. Ultimately, de Rais's downfall would become one of history's earliest documented cases of serial crimes by an aristocrat.

On September 15, 2017, a homemade bomb exploded on a District Line train at Parsons Green station during the evening rush hour. The blast caused panic and injuries to over 30 passengers, with authorities attributing the attack to extremist motives. Swift action by emergency services and investigators prevented further casualties and led to multiple arrests in the following days. The bombing raised concerns over public transport security in major cities and prompted a review of counterterrorism strategies. Despite the scare, London’s resilience was evident as commuters returned to the Tube system with heightened vigilance.