Elizabeth Bathory, or Erzsebet Bathory, is presently regarded as one of the most prolific serial killers of all time. She was a Hungarian countess who belonged to the famous Bathory family, and she spent a large part of her adult life in the Cachtice Castle. Due to her heinous crimes, she is also popularly known as the “Bloody Lady of Cachtice” and the “Blood Countess”. According to a witness, Bathory had tortured and killed more than 600 girls and women in her lifetime, and some people believe that she drank and bathed in virgins’ blood to maintain her youthful beauty.
Countess Elizabeth Bathory de Ecsed was born on the 17th of August, 1560 in Nyirbator, Hungary to one of Transylvania’s wealthiest families. She was the child of George Bathory and Anna Bathory, who were both related to Voivods of Transylvania. Her mother was the sister of King of Poland, Stephan Bathory. She grew up in Ecsed Castle, and she suffered seizures when she was four or five years old. The seizures probably resulted from a neurological disorder, which might have contributed to her psychotic behavior in her adult life. She learned a number of foreign languages as a child, including German, Latin, and Greek, and she also showed great interest in astronomy and science.
At the age of 15, Bathory married Count Ferencz Nadasdy, who was 11 years older than her. The wedding was held at the palace of Varanno, and it was attended by more than 4,000 guests. After the wedding, she moved with her husband to the Nadasdy Castle, which was located in Sarvar. Her husband was appointed chief commander of the Hungarian army in 1578, and he led his troops to fight against the Ottoman army. As such, he was seldom at home, and Bathory was given the responsibility of protecting her husband’s estates. The couple had six children altogether, but two of them passed away at an early age. In 1604, Nadasdy died of injuries that were sustained during battle.
It is believed that Bathory was introduced to the occult by her manservant Thorko when her husband was still alive. Her intolerance for her overbearing mother-in-law also contributed to her psychotic problems, and she started mistreating and torturing her servant girls. After the death of her husband, she sent her mother-in-law away, and she had all the freedom to practice her atrocious crimes. She was assisted by Thorko, wet nurse Ilona Jo, majordomo Janos Ujvary, Katarina Benicka, and witches Darvula and Dorottya Sventes. Bathory’s accomplices provided her with a steady supply of girls, which was achieved either by force or deception, and she would torture and kill them and use their blood to restore her youth. According to hearsay, some of the tortures that the victims underwent included severe beatings that often resulted in death; mutilation or burning of hands, faces, and genitals; biting flesh off faces and other body parts; fatal surgery; extreme starving; sexual abuse; and freezing to death.
On the 30th of December, 1610, an investigator by the name of Thurzo found one dead girl in the Cachtice Castle, as well as a number of others who were wounded and locked up. Bathory and four accomplices, including Ilona Jo, Dorottya Sventes, Janos Ujvary, and Katarina Benicka, were arrested. She was placed under house arrest, but her four henchmen were either sentenced to death or life imprisonment. The total number of victims who were tortured and killed cannot be ascertained, with estimations ranging from 100 to over 650. In the end, no legal action was taken against Bathory, and she remained in her castle until her death in August, 1614. She was initially buried in the Csejte church, but her body was later moved to Ecsed due to protests by villagers.
Elizabeth Bathory’s crimes inspired the creation of many stories during the 18th and 19th centuries, and most of these stories revolved around the countess’ habit of bathing in blood to maintain her youth. The legend that she bathed in her victim’s blood also drew comparisons with Vlad III, who is also known as The Impaler or Dracula. As such, she is sometimes referred to as “Countess Dracula”. The first account of Bathory’s story appeared in the form of the Tragica Historia by Laszlo Turoczi in 1729, and the countess has appeared as a character in numerous books, films, plays, musical works, toys, and games over the years. Her story was depicted in a 2008 movie called Bathory, which starred Anna Friel.
Here are links to websites with more information about Elizabeth Bathory the Blood Countess:
- Erzsebet of Transylvania
- Investigation of Elizabeth Bathory’s Crimes
Written by Michael S. Atwood