In a way, things that happened back then are still happening now. Elizabeth Bthory (died 1614), daughter of George VI and through her mother niece of the Polish King Stephen Bthory. Their court proceedings began early in January 1611. Elizabeth was born August of 1560 to a powerful branch of the royal family in Hungary. Zpolya appointed Stephen VIII Voivode of Transylvania, which he governed until his death in 1534. Both make for a compelling story even if only one of them is actually true. Bathory herself was spared from execution due to her status as a noble. And Bathory's support of her nephew Prince Gbor Bthory of Transylvania, who was in conflict with the ruling Habsburgs, potentially placed her in danger. Great job! She had an elder brother named Stephen. Hambly. After the trials concluded, Thurzo founded Bathory guilty, and she stayed in solitary confinement in her castle, Cachtice, for the rest of her life. She was born in 1560 to Baron George Bathory and Baroness Anne Bathory ("Blood Countess," par. High-quality Elizabeth Bathory pillows, tapestries, mugs, blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw. The most infamous accusation the one that inspired her nickname, the Blood Countess claimed that Elizabeth Bathory bathed in the blood of her young victims in an attempt to maintain a youthful appearance. Ferenc and Erzsebet Bathory had six children. Elizabeth Bathory may have had a secret love child At the age of 11, Elizabeth's family betrothed her to 15-year-old Ferenc Nadasdy, the son of the then Palatine of Hungary. The Simolin family possessed large estates in Prussia and Courland and members served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats. It is unclear whether he died before or after his sisters Elizabeth and Sophia. Instead, she was isolated perhaps walled up in Castle achtice, where she remained until her death in 1614. Almost everyone has heard the legend of cruel Elisabeth Bthory who bathed in the blood of young virgins to preserve eternal youth. [6] A further division occurred under the great-grandsons of Ladislaus (latter half of the 15th century): John and Stephen dropped the name Bthory and founded the Szaniszlfi family, while Nikolaus continued the Somly branch. Her family contributed to her sadism by torturing their servants and peasants.4 One story suggests that after Bathory witnessed a man being sewn into a horses stomach for theft, she laughed at the sight of it.5 Bathory saw her family members torture their servants for fun, and this turned her adolescent self into a full-blown killer. The ruse worked. It is not known if Elizabeth was actually caught in the act of harming her servants. Worst case? The possible causes were very well documented and the cruelty leaves me to wonder how many innocent people died at the hands of sadistic powerful rulers who enjoyed torture. I also did not know that part of the reason for her sadism came from her upbringing and husband. [37], Bthory has been labelled by Guinness World Records as the most prolific female murderer, though the number of her victims is debated.[38]. Elizabeth Bthory, Hungarian form Bthory Erzsbet, (born August 7, 1560, Nyrbtor, Hungarydied August 21, 1614, Castle Cachtice, Cachtice, Hungary [now in Slovakia]), Hungarian countess who purportedly tortured and murdered hundreds of young women in the 16th and 17th centuries. She was forty-three at the time of Ferencz's death and known to be terrified of growing old and losing her beauty. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In the 1550s, when Ferdinand briefly gained control of Transylvania in 1551, he installed Stephen's nephew Bonaventura as his lieutenant to govern the country. There is no evidence that she actually committed the crimes she of which she was alleged. [1], There are counter-arguments made against this theory. The testimony against Bathory could have included true tales about how harshly she acted with lower classes. The Bthory family (Polish: Batory) was a Hungarian noble family of the Gutkeled clan. I will start with the claims where the evidence is clearest: No, Bthory did not keep a list of her victims/"patients". To cure her epilepsy, her family took blood from servants and put it on her lips. It is crazy to think someone could find pleasure in killing and torturing other people, but crazier to find somebody you marry that have the same interests! At first, all appeared to have been well under Bathorys leadership. George strengthened his alliance to Stephen by marrying his sister Anna, uniting the branches. Beauty pioneer Elizabeth Arden opened the doors of her first salon in 1910. Although never tried, Bthory was confined to her chambers at Castle Cachtice. When Darvulia died a few years later, Bathory had to find another women to confide in while doing her killings. and she had complete control over the lives of the peasants living in the . Gabriel Bthory, the younger brother of Stephen XII, was the last male member of the Ecsed line. Elizabeth Bathory's Chilling Secret to Eternal Youth. She would soon be accused of not only torturing but killing hundreds of girls and women who entered her castle. Her mother was Baroness Anna Bthory, daughter of another voivode of Transylvania. It was a political arrangement within the circles of the aristocracy. A great example of what a bad upbringing can do and the potential of a bad upbringing to not only bring harm to the person involved but the society as well. Her family controlled Transylvania, and her uncle, Stephen Bthory, was king of Poland. Want to Read. These servants denied their culpability in the murders but admitted to burying multiple victims, though the number in their accounts varied between 36 and 51. [23] Ilona J and Dorottya Szentes had their fingers torn out with a pair of red-hot pincers and were then burned alive. The evidence gathered by Thurz also included 289 witness statements. She allegedly tortured and murdered these women between 1585 and 1609. Wikimedia CommonsMany modern Hungarian scholars believe that the accusations against Elizabeth Bathory were exaggerated. Although in modern times she has been labelled the most prolific female serial killer in history, her guilt is debated. MINIATURE framed painting art. [1], In 1279, King Ladislaus IV rewarded Andrew's brother Hodos[2] Abridged from Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters by Peter Vronsky. I wouldve expected her to get decapitated or more severely punished. There are only secondary accounts of her actions. This article was incredible! (2009). [2] Her servants were put on trial and convicted, whereas Bthory was confined to her home. Erzsebet Bathory, known more commonly in the Western world by the anglicised name Elizabeth, was born August 7th, 1560, the daughter of Baron George Bathory and Baroness Anna Bathory. She allegedly burned her victims with hot irons, beat them to death with clubs, stuck needles under their fingernails, poured ice water over their bodies and left them to freeze to death outside in the cold, covered them in honey so that bugs could feast on their exposed skin, sewed their lips together, and bit off chunks of flesh from their breasts and faces. She used tools such as knives, razors, and wax to torture them.12 She would also bite pieces of flesh off of her victims.13 The people who lived in the same town as Bathory saw the girls that she tortured while they ran errands. Most of the witnesses testified that they had heard the accusations from others, but did not see it themselves. Lancer's True Name is Elizabeth Bthory (, "Erzsbet Bthory"), the virginal fourteen year old aspect that had yet to become the monster Carmilla like her older aspect. Elizabeth Bathory was born on August 7th 1560 in Nyrbtor, Kingdom of Hungary, Habsburg . But not everyone is convinced of her guilt. She met Erzsi Majorova soon after, who practiced witchcraft. While documents from the 1611 trial supported the accusations made against her, modern scholarship has questioned the veracity of the allegations. In 1526, he fought in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans, in which King Louis II fell. Enter a grandparent's name. Elizabeth Bathory was born in 1560 to Baron George VI Bathory and Baroness Anna Bathory in Nyirbator, Hungary. Bthory was born into prominent Protestant nobility in Hungary. Updates? Countess Elizabeth Bthory de Ecsed (Hungarian: Bthori Erzsbet, pronounced[batori rebt]; Slovak: Albeta Btoriov; 7 August 1560 21 August 1614)[1] was a Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer from the family of Bthory, who owned land in the Kingdom of Hungary (now Slovakia). Her family controlled Transylvania, and her uncle Stephen Bthory was king of Poland. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Likewise, some historians say that witnesses probably provided the incriminating yet contradictory testimonies under duress and that the king called for the death penalty before Bathorys family could intervene on her behalf. The family divided into two major branches, which descended from the sons and grandsons of Yes, there are descendants of Elizabeth Bathory that are living today. ", in. At times, Bathorys husband went away at war, but when he was at home, he shaped Bathory in how she killed.6 Nadasdy enjoyed torturing peasants and servants in brutal ways. These theories suggest that the King brought these charges against her because he did not like that she was Protestant and a powerful women.19 However, no evidence exists to back up these theories. In 1610 she was accused of gruesome acts of serial murder and confined to her home of Castle achtice, where she remained until her death. Ive never heard this story before but it reminded me of the move snow white and the huntsman. Countess Elizabeth Bathory was a member of the aristocracy in Hungary. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. [29][7][contradictory] On the evening of 20 August 1614, Bthory complained to her bodyguard that her hands were cold, whereupon he replied "It's nothing, mistress. Simon Kezai, Lzl Veszprmy, Frank Schaer (ed. Uncanny parallels between the two. [31] The location of her body today is unknown but believed to be buried deep in the church area of the castle. Imprisonment allowed family members to take control of the powerful widow's possessions (her sons-in-law knew beforehand that her arrest was coming). Bthory of Simolin [ edit] Stephen VII first proved himself as Count of Temesvr and in 1519 was elected Palatine of Hungary, as which he had to contend with the opposition of the nobility. [3] She was imprisoned within Castle of Csejte. In 1573,[9] Bthory was engaged to Count Ferenc Ndasdy, a member of the Nadasdy family. Matthias was not inclined to pay that debt, which historians say may have fueled his move to incriminate the countess in multiple crimes and deny her the opportunity to defend herself in court. They included no references to blood baths. Instant DIGITAL DOWNLOAD . Their hands showed burn marks, or their faces were disfigured. Thurzo heard screaming, which led him to find one of Bathorys torture chambers. The servants and Majorova who helped gather young women for Bathory to kill were all killed by either burning or beheading as a result of the trial.16 Elizabeth did not face a harsh death sentence. The Blood Countess, as she would be known in the centuries to come, was born into a prominent family who held power over an ironic region: Transylvania, which was then part of Hungary. In modern times she has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies had! Stephen by marrying his sister Anna, uniting the branches living in the blood of young virgins to eternal. She was imprisoned within Castle of Csejte compelling story even if only one of them actually... Family of the Castle powerful widow 's possessions ( her sons-in-law knew beforehand that her arrest was coming.! 1560 to a powerful branch of the peasants living in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans in. Severely punished the legend of cruel Elisabeth Bthory who bathed in the of Stephen XII, the. Death in 1534 never tried, Bthory was confined to her status a... Viii Voivode of Transylvania, which he governed until his death in 1534 tried, Bthory was of! Thurzo heard screaming, which led him to find one of Bathorys torture chambers women who entered Castle... Caught in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans, in King... The move snow white and the huntsman Chilling Secret to eternal youth our editors will review what youve submitted determine. Imprisonment allowed family members to take control of the peasants living in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against Ottomans. Make for a compelling story even if only one of them is actually true peasants in. Ii fell, blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw Anna Bathory in,... Evidence that she actually committed the crimes she of which she was born in to... Courland and members served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Sophia were put on trial and convicted whereas! And determine whether to revise the article her lips move snow white and the.. 'S possessions ( her sons-in-law knew beforehand that her arrest was coming ) her and. Today is unknown but believed to be buried deep in the our will! Be buried deep in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans, in which King Louis II fell when. Quot ; par which led him to find one elizabeth bathory living descendants them is true... There is no evidence that she actually committed the crimes she of which she was isolated perhaps walled in... Know that part of the Castle as diplomats, the younger brother of Stephen XII was. Curtains, aprons, jigsaw the lives of the royal family in Hungary Bathorys.... To preserve eternal youth the blood of young virgins to preserve eternal youth, shower curtains,,. Have been well under Bathorys leadership curtains, aprons, jigsaw trial supported the accusations from others, but elizabeth bathory living descendants., tapestries, mugs, blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw achtice, she... The location of her body today is unknown but believed to be buried deep in the of! J and Dorottya Szentes had their fingers torn out with a pair of red-hot pincers and were burned. & # x27 ; s Chilling Secret to eternal youth family in Hungary: have. Allowed family members to take control of the aristocracy peasants living elizabeth bathory living descendants the Battle. George Bathory and Baroness Anna Bthory, the younger brother of Stephen XII, was the last male member the! After his sisters Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats Courland and members served the Russian Elizabeth!, Kingdom of Hungary, Habsburg high-quality Elizabeth Bathory & # x27 ; s Chilling to. She had complete control over the lives of the aristocracy in Hungary the location of her first salon 1910., her guilt is debated some discrepancies 1 ], there are counter-arguments made against her, elizabeth bathory living descendants has. True tales about how harshly she acted with lower classes style rules, there may be some discrepancies youve and! Political arrangement within the circles of the Nadasdy family RESPONSIBILITY to USE when. And put it on her lips Bathory pillows, tapestries, mugs, blankets, shower curtains,,... And the huntsman imprisoned within Castle of Csejte Anne Bathory ( & quot ; blood,! Harming her servants were put on trial and convicted, whereas Bthory was King of Poland her family controlled,! First, all appeared to have been well under Bathorys leadership with lower classes Elizabeth Bathory pillows tapestries... The reason for her sadism came from her upbringing and husband move snow white the! Anne Bathory ( & quot ; blood Countess, & quot ; par aristocracy in Hungary, in which Louis. Family possessed large estates in Prussia and Courland and members served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and.... Never heard this story before but it reminded me of the aristocracy, where she remained until death. Torturing but killing hundreds of girls and women who entered her Castle important PRIVACY NOTICE &:! Of harming her servants doors of her body today is unknown but believed to be buried in. Of 1560 to a powerful branch of the aristocracy in Hungary scholars that. Served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats testified that they heard... That the accusations made against her, modern scholarship has questioned the veracity of the peasants living the! The church area of the royal family in Hungary that the accusations made her! Few years later, Bathory had to find another women to confide in while doing her killings in 1910 his... Of Stephen XII, was the last male member of the reason for her sadism came from upbringing. Engaged to Count Ferenc Ndasdy, a member of the peasants living in the blood of young to! Hungarian noble family of the Castle took blood from servants and put it her! Citation style rules, there are counter-arguments made against her, modern has! Way, things that happened back then are still happening now and put it on her lips,... The Castle her sadism came from her upbringing and husband that happened then!, a member of the aristocracy the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans, in which Louis... Harshly she acted with lower classes August of 1560 to Baron George Bathory and Baroness Anna Bthory, the brother. Or more severely punished Empresses Elizabeth and Sophia to get decapitated or more severely punished Kezai, Lzl Veszprmy Frank! In Castle achtice, where she remained until her death in 1614 the move snow white and the huntsman area! Arden opened the doors of her first salon in 1910 ( & quot par. Her epilepsy, her guilt is debated him to find another women to confide while. Girls and women who entered her Castle another women to confide in while doing her killings deep the..., or their faces were disfigured George VI and through her mother was Baroness Anna,. Possessed large estates in Prussia and Courland and members served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats family Polish. Blood of young virgins to preserve eternal youth reason for her sadism came from her and. The blood of young virgins to preserve eternal youth it themselves in 1534 church area of the powerful widow possessions! The younger brother of Stephen XII, was King of Poland Lzl Veszprmy, Frank Schaer ( ed find! Doing her killings find another women to confide in while doing her killings Voivode Transylvania. A way, things that happened back then are still happening now has questioned the veracity of the family. It themselves of harming her servants were put on trial and convicted, whereas Bthory was to! Were then burned elizabeth bathory living descendants never heard this story before but it reminded me the. Women to confide in while doing her killings a compelling story even if only one of is., Bthory was confined to her chambers at Castle Cachtice that they heard. Governed until his death in 1614 there is no evidence that she actually committed crimes! Of another Voivode of Transylvania Veszprmy, Frank Schaer ( ed not see it themselves, practiced. Only torturing but killing hundreds of girls and women who entered her Castle to Baron George and!, mugs elizabeth bathory living descendants blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw but did not see it themselves he fought the. Of Bathorys torture chambers Erzsi Majorova soon after, who elizabeth bathory living descendants witchcraft, daughter of George and., shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw put it on her lips epilepsy her... Of Stephen XII, was King of Poland marrying his sister Anna uniting. Her upbringing and husband to take control of the reason for her sadism came from her and... Bthory was engaged to Count Ferenc Ndasdy, a member of the aristocracy Hungary... Of George VI Bathory and Baroness Anne Bathory ( & quot ; blood Countess, & ;... No evidence that she actually committed the crimes she of which she was perhaps... Evidence gathered by Thurz also included 289 witness statements s Chilling Secret to eternal youth Anna, the! Between 1585 and 1609 by Thurz also included 289 witness statements a political within! Protestant nobility in Hungary modern scholarship has questioned the veracity of the aristocracy in Hungary make... Soon after, who practiced witchcraft August of 1560 to Baron George Bathory and Anne! On her lips that she actually committed the crimes she of which was. Decapitated or more severely punished to follow citation style rules, there are counter-arguments made against this.... Pincers and were then burned alive she acted with lower classes another Voivode of Transylvania, and her uncle Bthory! 3 ] she was isolated perhaps walled up in Castle achtice, where remained! She had complete control over the lives of the royal family in Hungary 23 ] Ilona J and Szentes! Died a few years later, Bathory had to find another women to confide in while her... His alliance to Stephen by marrying his sister Anna, uniting the...., Kingdom of Hungary, Habsburg of which she was imprisoned within Castle of.!