The Blood Countess
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"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."
So spoke George Bernard Shaw. But in the case of Elizabeth Bathory, one can't help feeling that his words would have been of small comfort to the next of kin. So vile were the Countess's crimes that her relatives must have feared that the family name would be eternally blackened. Indeed, it's said that after her death it was forbidden to mention the Countess's name in Hungarian society. But even if that were so, there was little the family could do to prevent her ghost from leaping into a dance macabre of preposterous proportions.
Pretty much every slander imaginable has been thrown at 'The Blood Countess'. The milder accusations are that she engaged in abduction, torture, witchcraft and sexual perversion. The harsher ones claim that she mutilated young girls and bathed in their blood (apparently believing that it would preserve her beauty). They're not the kinds of things that you'd want to read over the breakfast table. Conservative estimates suggest that Bathory was responsible for the deaths of fifty girls, although some witnesses claimed that her victims ran into the hundreds. Several accomplices were involved, including one of the most unpleasant dwarves to have emerged from the pages of history, a highly unsavoury character named Ficko.
Above: The ruins of Castle Cachtice in northern Slovakia. It was here that Bathory committed many of her crimes, and where she was eventually arrested on December 29th, 1610
Unsurprisingly, the basics of the Bathory tale have provided plenty of fodder for chroniclers and balladeers. The bloody Bathory myth has had several centuries to snowball as it rolled down the Slovakian slopes into the Western imagination. Indeed, it's perhaps only those not so charming chaps Ivan the Terrible and Vlad the Impaler who can rival the Countess in the East European villain stakes. A favourite of the Hammer House of Horror, Bathory has inspired dozens of movies of dubious merit, and in 2007, two more producers threw their hats into the ring. In light of all this gothic embroidery, the job of separating fact from fiction is a fairly hefty one.
The Life of Elizabeth Bathory
Elizabeth Bathory (Erzebet Bathory) was born in August 1560 into one of the grandest Hungarian families. Owing to defeat at the hands of the Turks forty years earlier, Hungary had been absorbed into the Ottoman and Habsburg Empires. Nevertheless, Hungarian Transylvania clung on to independence, and one branch of the Bathorys managed to secure the throne of that land. Later, in 1572, Stefan Bathory was elected King of Poland.
Elizabeth Bathory was technically a subject of the Habsburg crown. Her family lands, dotted across today's Slovakia, were part of the 'Kingdom of Hungary' that was absorbed by the Habsburgs in 1536. That said, families of her stature could pretty much do as they wished provided that they were not overtly disloyal to the crown. This partly explains why the authorities were so slow to investigate Bathory's crimes.
The young Countess was educated to be conversant in many languages. However, childhood was not a drawn out affair. Bathory was married off young, as was the custom, to a nobleman named Ferenc Nadasdy. Her main home then became Cachtice Castle, about 100 kilometres northeast of Bratislava. She was 15 at the time. Three years later Bathory's husband was proclaimed Chief Commander of the Hungarian troops, and he had to spend much of his time campaigning against the Turk. This gave the Countess a free rein - effectively she was answerable to no one for miles around.
Can anything vaguely normal be said about 'the Blood Countess' before the catalogue of criminality is rolled out? Well, she did manage to give birth to a son, Paul, and three daughters, who as far as we know, were not deranged serial killers. And letters reveal that she used her power to intervene on behalf of Hungarian war widows who had fallen into dire straits. However, it's unlikely that St. Peter would consider such acts redeeming in the light of the charges laid against her.
Witnesses testified that Bathory's favourite ruse was letting it be known that work was on offer. For miles around, most of the village dwellers were her own personal serfs with little in the way of rights. However, for a Slovakian peasant girl, the offer of work at a castle was nothing to be sniffed at. The Countess had properties dotted about Hungary and Austria, and she often travelled to Vienna and elsewhere. It was similar to entering service in a princess's court. (However, court witnesses later revealed that Bathory killed women just about anywhere and everywhere, regardless of where she was headed).
Historians claim that the Countess got embroiled with a host of sinister characters. The kinds of women that might have been burnt as witches by other nobles were especially sought after by Bathory. It has been suggested that the Countess had a relationship with one of these witches, a woman by the name of Darvula, who is said to have helped commit the crimes.
Official complaints started to come in in 1602 when the Lutheran priest Istvan Magyari lodged papers in Vienna. Two years later the Countess's husband died while away on campaign - reports vary as to whether he fell in battle, was assassinated or died from a disease picked up from a prostitute. Whatever it was, the complaints continued grow against Elizabeth Bathory in the following years.
After about eight years of turning a blind eye, an investigation was launched. This followed much toing and froing between Bathory's extended family, who were desperate to avoid being tarnished by such a twisted brush. It seems that the decisive factor was that well-born girls had begun to fall victim to the Countess. Bathory had set up a sort of finishing school for the daughters of the lesser gentry, teaching them courtly etiquette. When well-born ladies started to go amiss, time was up for Bathory.
On December 29th 1610, Count Gyorgy Thurzo burst into Cachtice Castle following an order to investigate from King Mathias himself. Two slain women were tracked down and several more were relieved, gaining what was a belated, but no doubt the best Christmas present they'd ever had. Bathory herself was arrested, along with several accomplices.
Trial and Demise
Comments
The mob killed her devout person
ReplyHi! I have a question. Was Elizabeth bisexual?
ReplyI just finde out that my great grandad was a count and descendant from Bathory.
ReplyI was adopted and found out my connection to Bathory to this day Allenstown NH and Bear Brook Murders are connected as well as Fairbanks scandal they genociding our family line running underground witch trials on us trafficking probate fraud schemes. It doesn't help when modern occult groups are collecting money on our ancestors infamy while genociding us partnerships with Hollywood. The town hired people to stalk and kidnap me, and rape me for over two weeks trafficked my daughter. It's disgusting and unfair I am not guilty of the sins of my great grandmother which 27x back in generations she is both my aunt and great grandmother.
ReplyI worry I am a descendant. My family has been traced to these areas and our family name on my father’s side is similar. Yet, more accurately to my mother’s. Which is strange.
ReplyHi do you have twitter/instagram or something like that? I’m really interested in this topic so I have some questions
ReplyIt's sad to say she is part of my family history.
ReplyIs see really? That is interesting. I am writing a paper about her for my psychology class and I'm trying to learn as much about her so I can paint an accurate portage of who she was. Do far I have just found out that she suffered from privilege and was allowed to do whatever she wanted her whole life with no repercussions. I have a lot of theories, but if you are really related to her I would love to pick your brain if possible. If not I understand, it's just cool to think she still has relatives out there.
Replyhello, sorry for asking you this. I'm doing a research thing on her for a GT project and I was just wondering if maybe you can tell me the website you found out that she suffered from privilege and was allowed to do whatever she wanted her whole life with no repercussions. thank you that would help a lot. also if you wanted too can I hear some of your theories?
ReplySet up Bricked up to die so the relatives could get there share and all the money the king owed her.She was set up and was no more than a healer bless.A woman with power then would of made men shite there pants,So yess she was put away so men could take control of her money,and the king didnt pay her back!
ReplyI was wondering, do you know if the Countess Elizabeth Bathory had any grand children or great grandchildren and great great grandchildren?
ReplyI don’t know either. I want to know because I know I’m mainly Hungarian so like I want to know if I’m related to a serial killer... yeah it’s a good excuse to get guys to stop chasing you. “You don’t wanna date me, I’m related to the Blood Countess. Maybe her psychotic ways are heriditory”
ReplyWanted to see if my family's secret is real
Replyguys what the hell she killed more that 650 people how do you guys stand up for this psychotic
ReplyAllegedly and the number is between 30 and 600 . That is quite the discrepancy. I personally think Bathory was innocent. She was a woman and the richest in Europe, sole owner of the family estates and most importantly the debt owed . She was also a Protestant surrounded by very powerful Catholics, in fact those who controlled her case were all Catholic. There was no trial. Some of the official charges include fornicating with the Devil. The list goes of reasons to doubt her quilt. It's likely she was innocent.
ReplyI disagree. With what we know now about satantist and how they drink adronchrom or what ever it is called I completely believe she was guilty. I think she was probably one of the only ones caught and there has in fact been many more in royal family lines that were also killers like her. I mean she was literally above the law. Had her husband not been killed she would have never been exposed. She was stupid and killed nobles there is nothing there to admire and it is offensive so many delusional and irrational people do.
ReplyTbh I don’t wanna defend her. I just want an excuse to get weirdos to stop chasing me. “You don’t wanna date me trust me. I’m related to the Blood Countess. Maybe her psychotic ways are hereditary...” boom weirdo guy stops stalking me
ReplyI personally adore bathory...She was a kind, caring mother to the children that survived their first years. Yes she was a little nutty, but she was a kind woman. She fell into a major depressive state after her husband died and most of the murders were committed by durvula.im not saying she's a victim but she's not a stand up person either
ReplyHello????? Durvula was old as hell. She did nothing but see and close her mouth. You said Elizabeth was in depression because of her husband's death? Come on... They didn't love each other at all. In fact, Elizabeth was a lesbian. She only wanted to have sex with women. Sadly, she was absolutely insane since she was a child. She used to tortured her cousins once and again, and of course she loved to do the same with servants. You really think she was «a little nutty but kind»?? OMG. She abducted, tortured, raped, burned and killed no one knows how many little girls and young women. She was a sadic and she loved to cut living bodies to licking, drinking and bathing herself in blood. Lots of young girls tortured till death in unthinkable pain. The worst female murderer in all history. She was fulled of rage, cruelty and sadism. Of course, a very fascinating character, but come on... just a bit nutty but kind? No way.
ReplyyOU KNOW WAY TOO MUCH, WHEN THERE IS NOT MUCH INFO TO KNOW...Marina Abramović IS Elizabeth Bathory and she watches this site.
ReplyFirst of all, you don't know if it's true 100% the allegations against Bathory didn't occur until 200 years after her death. You are also talking about Ottoman empire war struggles in the region and they were quite brutal skilled in all sorts of tortures beyond your imagination. Why you think Vlad the Impaler went crazy? For all we know it may be made up as psychological warfare to scare off the Turks. Plus, witch trials and inquisitions; the accused put to death after confession under torture or mob hysteria. Not exactly
ReplyHave just started studying the history of Countess Elizabeth Bathory. Have seen several comments that she escaped her prison and went to America? Since she died in 1614 and the pilgrims only first landed in the country now known as America in 1620 after a 66 day sea journey - how does that jive with Elizabeth escaping to America?
ReplyNever heard of this story and grew up in Mayflower lineage towns. I am indeed a descendant of Bathory on.both sides of my family.
ReplyThis story really intrigues me. not only does others have their own opinions but some think shes a VICTIM. i do think her ways of "Healing" were stupid, and her action kinda spoke louder then words but i can't exactly say shes a bad person since nobody really knows the real story.
ReplyTerrible stuff.
ReplyIf she had a bathtub, she would have needed at least three girls' worth of blood to fill it like a normal tub of water
ReplyActually, I don't know if your just saying something but, that wasn't actually proven. Also sorry I just learned about this today. She wasn't actually accused of bathing in blood until about a century later. It was mostly like a game of telephone, the story changed over time.
ReplyI am a descendant of the Bathory clan
ReplyProof?
ReplyWhoops, same person again -
ReplyAnyone out there that can prove being descedent?
ReplyWell, wikitree I may be able to but even that for back isn't always certain. As far as papertrail it may be less certain.
ReplyYou have to understand, the King is greatly in debt to Bathory. The crown does not want to pay so after the her husbands death, she was left vulnerable and they set her up.. Learn to think critically.. Even now, not all details are written in history books..
ReplyWow that is crazy. They did not need to go that far to set her up and this would not have been the way to do it. There are far too many witness testimonies to dismiss. It is downright offensive that you are willing to dismiss 300 witness testimonies for your theory and lets not forget the actual victims found on the scene. And also where did all those missing girls go? Also have you not done any research on the royal family lines and all the shady things they have done? This is actually more believeable than any of them being good people. You need to learn to think critically and I am a descendent of the Hapsburg line. There is a reason they gave up there monarch. Royal families are evil.
ReplyThe issue with the testimony is that it was all collected through torturing the girls into saying what they wanted. There’s very little evidence of any of her supposed crime. She had apparently killed noble girls yet I can’t find a single name or confirmed victim. It seems far more likely that she had been arrested and jailed on dubious claims by a bankrupt king who owed her than her magically murdering hundreds of girls that have all vanished from history. I just find it hard to believe that all of the names could have been lost if this actually happened. If anyone can actually point me towards the names of some confirmed victims I would love to see it!
ReplyYou don't know the truth about what happened. I actually really like Elizabeth. Weirdly enough my last name is Bathory for real. I have always wanted to be like her and I don't give a fucking damn shit what anyone else thinks.
ReplyI you must be amazing
ReplySo you want to be a beautiful murderous killer? Sounds like a shitty life goal to me.
ReplyI think that all of you are f***ing lame. Its a god damn story. so what if its not true, everybody has there own believes about the story. Most of all nobody I mean nobody really knows what happened. So do your self a f***ing favor and leave this guy alone and quit dissing on this person. Go f*** Yourselves. and I know my grammar and English are off but I don't give a f*** .
ReplyNobody really know what happened? Maybe ask a Hungarian historian? Lol. Most of people here write about what they think of Elisabeth, no one means to diss the author but legends and ignorant people. It is you who is lame. Comments are comments. You don't have to like them. Haha, btw using vulgar words makes you even more lame.
Replywow your profanity is bad 4 F words in One paragraph
ReplyOther than that you are right
Replyi did not like this it was horrible have a bad day bye
ReplyIt is funny to hear this silly thing about Elisabeth moving to America. Yeah, sure! Everyone moves to America! If to you want to know the real story you should ask locals in Hungary or Slovakia or read original texts about her. Not English translations or books written by people who even never been to Hungary/Slovakia. BTW, Bathory family is loved in Poland, we learn about them at history classes. Especially our king Stefan Batory. My history teacher also states that Elizabeth was not a killer. She was tricked into it because she held too much control.
Replyits sickening how people say she is a victim. SHE KILLED hundreds of girls, don't tell because she had a hard early life,that she was a victim. She was sick. She was smart and clever, yes. In a man's world, yes. went through hard times, yes. But who doesn't go through hard times. Millions of girls go through worse than her every day. from getting married at 7 to getting raped, molested, beaten and they don't end up killing others. Don't justify her action you idiots, and don't defend her like she is this great villian that is just misunderstood.
ReplyYES!!!!! I kinda wish that she was murdered the way that she murdered the girls.
ReplyCountess Erzsebet Bathory was centuries ahead of her time. One day the truth will be known. Rest in peace my Lady.
ReplyHi! I'd like to say that she was indeed one of the victims though people would like to make her out to be a huge monster. She got pregnet at 15 by a peasent boy and for that she had to have him killed while she watched then she was told she had to marry someone she had absoulutly no love for (this would make me bonkers) and then she had experiences with witchcraft. Yes, even though she had done horrible things you really should feel sorry for her she went through so much that I can't even imagine. Oh and did the artical say that she was locked up in her tower waiting for death for days and days on end.
ReplyNo who you should feel sorry for are the people who were poor or lower class who lived during that time while these selfish entitled pricks sat around being waited on and did nothing all the time. WTF is wrong with you. And newsflash all girls were married young back then. And all royals practiced witchcraft. She was evil and a killer. Screw her. Pity her victims who had no options and were oppressed and betrayed.
Replyi heard of her before from my cousin,quite scary assasinator
Replyi wonder if there are any descendants of her today
ReplyI'm in search of distant relatives, my grandfather (Batori) fled from Croatia during WW2. I'm quite far away, but I am returning to my mothers country so I am quite excited to catch up with other Batori's/Bathory's etc. My grandfather had a lot of brothers, so wooo this will be fun :)
ReplyDid you find anything out?
ReplyI heard of Elisabeth but I need to see if I'm related in any way.
Replya,misunderstood history..she was the wiktim.! In a time,(as to day)- a mans world! But in a much diffrent violent time.as to say WHO to be king or not.At that time fantasy and dream werely came together. evedens was as Jack the ripper.wery poor.She was sat off the throne , i think.
ReplyI been looking up facts about her cause it was said in a movie that she killed little girls to make herself feel pretty and to me that's just fucked up! then i saw a fact that caught my eye and it said she surffered from chronical illness that messed up her child hood. but it dosen't matter! killing 650 girls cause she felt ugly thats just mean,and wicked! i hope she's in hell burning! cause there's no way she's in heaven with her fucking self. RIP. TO THOSE GIRLS WHO DIED :*(
Replywooow
ReplyHi . My opinion about the Countess Bathory is that she was a really god mother and wife . She had either a mental illness or she really though she could drink blood from young virgins and still be beautiful and young . I believe that she made her choice about what she wanted in her life . She did wrong by killing young women but she did not saw it that way and I understand the way she though because some of us do want to stay young and beautiful forever . She was really beautiful . She made a mistake by killing women and she had to pay for her crimes and there is no other way for her to redeem herself .
ReplyRejoice. She's probably burning in hell for eternity. Nobody needs to care about or remember worthless sub-human scum like this.
ReplyPlease buy the books by Kimberly L. Craft on Bathory. She is a lawyer who spent almost a decade researching the Bathory myth. Her works are factual and amazing.
ReplyHistory was written wrong. She did not die there. She escaped to America when they stormed the castle. The accomplices were caught, but not her. In America, she died when she caught picking little girls off the streets and draining them dry of their blood and then bathe in it. Trust me, i know. One of my ancestors was there when she was caught.
Replyi am very interested with Elizabeth bathory because she's a picture of a very powerful woman of her time, though she used it in A WRONG WAY. So, if she managed to escape from her imprisonment and went her way to USA, that explains one of the writings stating that her body was not found anywhere in the castle after her supposed death...hmmm...
Replythis is really interesting. I wish there was more evidence and information about her descendants. email me please if you have info
ReplyIt is a ridiculous lie. Everyone who believes it must be out of mind. People, do not let yourselves be fooled by idiots. Elizabeth never moved to America. I bet that those who say such things can't even show Hungary or Slovakia on the map.
ReplyI forgot to add that i don't believe anyone on this forum who tries to claim to be Elizabeth bathory descendant.Yes, there are many of her descendants living in Europe (especially in Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Romania, etc.) and also in the US.but i very much doubt some of them would be able to write such comments as I found here.sorry.
ReplyI live only about 120 km from the Cachtice Castle (Csejte Castle in Hungarian language) where Elizabeth Bathory lived an died.Do not believe everything what was written and recorded about her murders.400 years ago the world was cruel, greed too high and it was obvious that such a wealthy widow (protestant) will be sooner or later attacked indirectly to lose all.Witchcraft brought to death thousands of innocent people.stupid stories about 600 murders, blood bath etc. were just made up to get rid of Elizabeth.She certainly wasn't any angel and she could show signs of some strange personality.Hot tempered, masochist, etc.as i said the middle ages were cruel.but def. she wasn't anything of what she was accused of.it was a pure conspiracy against her.there is no proper proof of any murders, tortures and blood drinking and bathing.Just like stories about Vlad Tepes.Character of Count Dracula is miles from being true about Vlad.
ReplyExactly! I agree with you! People from the West only see her as a "vampire" or murderer but they know nothing about history of Eastern Europe. They just repeat what others say. The same with Vlad Ţepeş who is a National hero of Romania, in fact. No texts mentions him as a vampire.
ReplyDear Darina, Hello, we are students working on a research project for school on Elizabeth Bathory. After reading your comment about being a relative of Bathory, we were wondering if you could answer the following questions. 1.) Do you have any evidence of her diary? 2.) Just to clarify, was her birth place in Trannsylvania or in Nyirbator in Hungary? 3.) Is her obsession with blood related to remaining to stay young and beautiful or did she just insist on killing people. Have you heard of anything else? 4.) What about her do you think shows her leadership? 5.) In your opinion, what kind of legacy did Bathory leave behind? p.s. We would appreciate it if you gave us an e-mail to contact you Thank you
ReplyDarina these people still practice that crap today. How naive are you? And yes it does work but to do that is just evil. Royal families believe they are descendents of Gods- they believe they are entitled and they worship those Gods and those are not the Gods Christians worship. They are pure evil. People need to wake up. Elizabeth Bathory was setup for doing what most royality did do that is true, but she was very much guilty. Dont' be naive. They still do this crap today! Don't not idolize these people, they are not Gods or given the right to rule by God at least not a real God.
ReplyThank you for mentioning Vlad Tepes/Dracula; outside of Romania, it seems that very few people write or tell anything correctly about him, except here in Texas; I know; for 61 years I've conducted investigations and defended his case; also I've written articles and given lectures, been on radio and television in Austin; made statements here in San Antonio; rocked a few boats and sunk a few ships. It was easier to defend Dracula here in Texas than anywhere else I can think of. -- Cheryl B. Montoya
ReplyThe Real truth,is that nowone realy now the truth about 500 years history!.Yes you all have an idear!-but all from internet,an so on!.lol!! Ps,An to you about the new bathory film-dont no if you saw a bad cut-film-but you see her last days in tower,where she bid her rist over and died..movie ficktion. What tower did she died in? what ruin today?
ReplyPure Bullshit! Show me the data to prove such a wild claim! They probably wanted her land and needed crazy charges to take possession of it.
ReplyAgree with you, Harry!
ReplyI agree. Also very powerful people owed her money and didn't want to pay.
ReplyPorque la condesa bathory no llega a Buenos Aires Argentina. su historia, su cultura y el pais en que vivia
ReplyI wrote a paper on Elizabeth bathory in high school and from the info I got from books and the internet she supposedly had a kid with a peasant before she was married at 15 and her family gave the baby up for adoption because the babys dad and also they kept it a secret because she was engaged at the time, but then again this was like 400 or 500 years ago so who really knows the truth, but it is an interesting story!
ReplyIs is a real story. There is countless evidance that sshe murdered 650 young women in order to improve her complexion. She save really pretty girls to drink their blod and died while on house arrest. If you don't believe look up her biography. She created countless torture devices too!
ReplyReally? Countless evidence you say? Where pray tell did you find this, because SCHOLARS have been unable to locate such evidence. I can always tell those who read her Wikipedia page and are "experts" on Bathory. Was Bathory a saint? Not by any means, BUT neither was ANY noble back in that time. Even Thurzo, the one who "discovered" all these girls was one of the cruelest of them all. -There is no mention (from any credible source) that she ever drank the blood. -The sheer physics of attempting to fill a tub with blood to bathe in, is impossible. By the time the tub was full the blood would have coagulated. -650? That number was received through torture. As were all these "eye witness" testimonies. Most of the records from the trial were confirmed "stories" they had heard. No one ever saw Bathory do any of these acts for them self. There was mention of a journal to which she wrote the name of every victim, but this book was NEVER found. She did have a mental disorder and was prone to fits of rage, but I don't believe she killed 650 girls. I believe she was framed. Here is why. 1. She was a very powerful woman of the highest noble family in Hungary at the time. (FYI Thurzo, the one who turned her in, sought Bathory's hand after the death of her husband, but marrying him would be beneath her station.. keep this in mind) 2. She was a very intelligent woman, more so than a lot of the men of that time. Even to include her husband. 3. And most importantly she was a very wealthy woman. King Mathias owed the Bathory family a lot of money, however if convicted his slate was wiped clean. He owed nothing to her or her children. A female with Power, Intelligence, and Money? A king indebted to her? Sounds like enough of a reason to convict someone back then.
ReplyI think Cindy kinda won this argument. Still a very interesting piece of folklore if you mean the myth
ReplyYeah witness statements still exist today you dimwit. So bc she was rich and according to you intelligent she is innocent. How do you know she was intelligent? Where is YOUR proof? Spare me your feminist bs. The evidence against her is still very much in existence in the archives.
ReplyI am replying in the year 2018. More evidence since 2013 has come out. It is extremely likely the truth is in the middle. What do I mean by that? Bathory wasn't innocent of her crimes. The killings, tortures, and suspected cannibalism. And she also didn't bathe in blood and wasn't a vampire, she also didn't drink blood. Elizabeth Bathory was just a serial killer on steroids. I have read "Infamous Lady" by Kimberly L.Craft, and have done extensive research into her life. (Trust me, I give you my word.) The first written account of her bathing in blood didn't come out till a century after she died. It seems that during that era people couldn't grasp the idea that a woman could be so cruel, evil, vicious and sadistic. So they said it was her "vanity" that caused her to kill. Her beauty. This is not the least bit true. Bathory killed for sadistic pleasure. Now, it seems some people want to excuse her killings and blame it on the kings debt to her. This is also NOT TRUE. While House Bathory did owe the King money from ferenc's time at war. The king and Gyorgy Thurzo (Elizabeth's cousin) did not make up these hideous crimes against her. Bathory's crimes gave them an excuse to lock her up and execute her servants, to take control of her lands. This was a very Game of thrones type of situation and era. (Constant war, backstabbers, evil people, and a down to earth society).Nobody seems to remember that this was a time of witchtrials. If they truly wanted to lie about Bathory, putting her up as a witch would be a much simpler way of getting her out of the way. Why would they turn to serial murder? Well, because she WAS a serial murderer. In terms of victim count. 650 does rather seem to be exceptionally high. However, in the unlikely case this is true. Elizabeth Bathory would be the most prolific serial killer in history, of either gender, and any where in the world. Based on my research it seems likely she killed between 550-600 young women. Go ahead give me hate for this! But do the math. Around 300 victims were thrown out at her estate in Sarvar. (According to local work people). 200 at her infamous Cjesthe castle. According to locals. And another 50-90 on the road, in public areas, and anywhere really. People in the local villages who knew about her crimes used words like: Bloody, Cruel, Wild animal, Evil, vicious to describe her personality. (Translated words from Hungarian to English) You're right too...most nobles during this time we're ruthless and cruel. But they had to be in order to survive in that society back then. So, why did Bathory gain so much attention then? Because she was exceptionally cruel and a monster. Elizabeth was a prolific and sadistic killer. Just not a blood drinker or bather.
ReplyWell, you lost a little bit of the readers respect when you compared her life to a television show The Game of Thrones..LOL!... but anyway you continued on that there has been a whole new cache of facts about her life found in the last 5 years. What are these new facts and what are the sources? New documents or ancient books just discovered tucked away in Old libraries perhaps?
ReplyI used the Game of thrones narrative to describe the society that Central and Eastern Europe was in at the time. I hope nobody hates me. :( It's a great show. LMAO! The book "Infamous Lady" by author Kimberly L. Craft is a breaking point for me. New personal letters written by Erzsebet herself, dialogue and quotes by Erzsebet and others, how the girls died, and plenty more. It is interesting that none of Bathory's relatives ever defended her at her trial. (Not even her children) tried to defend her. Her children would have at least given an attempt to defend her if she was truly innocent. I am confident in this. There are newly translated documents in that book as well. You can go on YouTube and type her name. I recommend watching the video by the channel name "Biographics" titled: Elizabeth Bathory "The blood countess" by: Simon Whistler. In my opinion that video is the best non-podcast video I've ever heard on her till date.
ReplyThanks for the quick and informative reply! I will definitely take a look at those references that you gave me. Thanks again .. I will give you some feedback in the future...
ReplyI think that this story is amazing. Its interesting and it pulls you in cause you want more. I think it lacks some info.. but the person who typed this did a good job. Im no professor just a high school student, but i might do one of my speeches on this subject of matter.
ReplyI like the "outline" of her life, but it is very basic. But history is very basic. We cant prove a thing. We did not live her life. My god she was 15 when she was forced to be an adult. And true, "she Is a witch" That has been played and played, until... Im sorry I dozed off. women were cattle, men were Gods. Land was everything, and money can make very good wittneses
ReplyI think the story lacks evidence I need more proof in order to believe it My opinion is its just a scary story to scare kids
ReplyYeah because 300 witness testimonies is so lacking. Really?
ReplyIf you don't mind, you seem to be one of the few with actual facts of the matter. Check out my comment thread a few lines up for even more up to date facts. I congratulate you for actually looking up the real story. Applauds
ReplyIt is refreshing to see this essay. For hundreds of years, gullible sheep have swallowed the story whole. What it reminds me of most is the allegations of witchcraft during the same period: thousands of women--and men--were tortured, "confessed," had wild stories told about them, and were burned alive by governments. Today we don't believe in witchcraft--so we know those were all lies. Why do we not suspect this about the Countess Bathory incident? The real story may have been that this widowed do-gooder took in and protected too many female victims of assault, rape, and attempted murder, the king owed her too much money, and she knew the secrets of too many aristocrats. It is significant that the rumors and the accusations didn't start until AFTER she was widowed. What if she WAS innocent? Then the accusations, the tortures and deaths of her friends, and her own brutal imprisonment were a tragedy of unspeakable proportions. Shame on the mobs who continue to this day to believe everything which they are spoonfed.
ReplyRumors started way before her husband died and wow now she is a martyr? And witchcraft was and is still practiced today what we now know is that they don't actually have supernatural powers from it. And historical records from that time still exist. 300 witnesses, trial records of her accomplishes. We actually know a lot about this case. People like you probably think Jack the ripper was misunderstood and innocent as well. Was he a saint who was really trying to save his victims?
ReplyScary to see some of the reactions here . Discomforting that most of u are getting off on the idea being related to a psycho .Actually I think its sad and kind a gives ur level of intelligence away doesn't it ? (Just wondering seeing a lot of u are turning her in to a heroine ) I find her most interresting too for various reasons but lets not forget what she is . Might as wel put every other murderer on a pedestal too . this is ridiculous .
ReplyOne last thing Erzebet Bathory was never convicted of anything. Mathais was attempting to have her tried for 80 murders. Thurzo, her son Paul, and son in law prevented it, had herplaced her first under house arrest then eventually was walled up in her home at Csejthe. Though she was stripped of her title, Thurzo who was her cousin, Paul, and Nicklos managed to retain the Bathory fortune. As part of the bargain, Mathais debt was relieved.
ReplyI recommend everyone expand their resources beyond Wikipedia. It is sad that all the info isn't in one place Bathory and her accomplices murdered hundreds between 1585 - 1610. Nobility at the time could get away with murder. As long as the victims "didn't count." This includes a multitude of abuses toward servants which were a common practice at the time. King Mathias II owed Nadasdy a lot of money in both loans & wages. Money he could not pay back. Even after Ferencz death the debt ought to have been paid to Elizabeth. This made Magyari's complaints "convenient." Note to the author: keep investigating and expand the biography please!
ReplyAll information gathered against the Countess was gathered under torture. The King owed her family money. The Catholics were trying to get rid of the Protestants (bathory's were protestants) You didn't do very much research, you just regurgitated the info that everyone else can find on their own. How about you actually do some real research... you told one side of the story which is 400 years old....
ReplyGreat article...very informative and non-biased. However, though her crimes were real and backed up by over 300 witnesses the one question most in doubt is her "blood baths" and whether they occured or not. Court testimony proves that though a bath of blood did not occur, she did sit on a stool beneath a cage lined with spikes and holding a nude girl while shouting obsceneties and enjoying a "blood shower". Since such atrocities were considered witchcraft it was covered up by her family to lessen the severity of the sentence. As it was, she was convicted of "inhuman cruelty" instead of being burned at the stake as was her accomplises. I also cannot see the point of her Ladyship switching to the lesser nobility unless it was to "bathe" in blue blood, as the "poor" blood had not done anything to slow her aging.
ReplyIt's funny how so many people seemed to be related to Elizabeth in the comment section! Astonishing really. I'm doing an essay on Elizabeth at the moment, proving that Elizabeth is a true villain in our history though I do have some compassion for the woman. Also, some people below mentioned that Elizabeth never bore any children.. Elizabeth firstly had a child to a peasant man which was given away when Elizabeth was 14 years old. With her husband, she had five children though two of them died early and only the three (two daughters and a son) were recorded throughout history. Great article!
ReplyJust watched the Bathory movie, with Anna Friel. It made her out to be the unfortunate victim of greed and that she was framed for the murders. The movie didn't even end with her being imprisoned. Personally I felt a bit cheated. The true story is probably somewhere in between the two extremes. There was definitely good reason for Gyorgy Furzo (and the King)to take possession of her lands and have their debts forgiven. Sadly we will never know the true story, which will remain a fascination of history.
Replyi really dnt see one women doing that. she could of but wheres the proof? exactly! and just because she was friends with a women doesnt mean there was a relationship!really? i think she was set up by someone or she knew who the real murderer was and didnt say!alas we will never know!....
Replyi think that people need to stop fighting over it because no one nows what is true because it was long ago everyone is just wasting there time fighting over it no one will ever now what really happened unless some one invents time travel
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