The Legend of Erzsebet BathoryFact or Fiction?

“In an age crucified by the nails of faith

When rank scarecrows of Christ blighted lands

An aloof Countess born an obsidian wraith

Dared the abyss knowing well she was damned”

Aside from themisconception that shekilled 650 young womenwhen in reality it wasbetween 80 – 300, themost well known is thatshe bathed in the blood ofher victims to maintainher youthful appearance.

Elizabeth Bathory was one of the most evilwomen in human history. She slaughtered650 young women and has the ratherunfortunate reputation as being the world’sfirst female serial killer.

She was born August 7th, 1560, the daughterof Baron George Bathory and Baroness AnnaBathory. George and Anna were bothBathorys by birth.

Inbreeding may have been the cause for hergruesome behaviour. It is said that the youngElizabeth suffered from seizures accompaniedby loss of control and fits of rage, which mayhave been caused by epilepsy, possiblystemming from inbreeding.

She was also able to witness the brutaljustice handed down by her family'sofficers on their estates at Ecsel. Oneanecdote describes an incident inwhich a gypsy, accused of theft, wassewn up in the belly of a dying horsewith only his head exposed, and left todie.

She was engaged when she was 11 with a Count, askilled warrior, Ferenc Nadasdy, that was about 15years older than her.

There are also tales of the couple engaging indiabolic rites and patronizing various occultistsand Satanists.

She had her first child with a peasant lover. Shewas isolated until she gave birth and gave herchild to be raised by a peasant family.

She had four daughters and a son. By allreports, Elizabeth was an excellent and dotingmother.

Ferenc was frequently absent, so in order tooccupy her time she is said to have takennumerous young men as lovers and was notedat the time for her open bisexuality.

It was in her husband's absence that Elizabethis reputed to have begun torturing youngservant girls for her own pleasure

Her accomplices at this time were HelenaJo, her childrens' wet-nurse, DorotheaSzentes, also known as Dorka, a peasantwoman of noted physical strength alleged tobe a witch, and Johannes Ujvary, also referredto as Ficzko, a manservant sometimesdescribed as a dwarf-like cripple.

In January 1604, Ferenc Nadasdy died of aninfected wound, reportedly inflicted by aharlot whom he refused to pay. Elizabethstarted spending much time at her castle atCachtice.

Here she took up with Anna Darvula, describedas the most active sadist in herentourage, and, like Dorka, alleged to be awitch. Darvula was also said to be Elizabeth'slover.

Legend tells us that she discovered, onstriking a servant girl who accidentally pulledher hair whilst combing it, that bloodappeared to reduce the signs of ageing onher skin. The popular version of events tellshow Elizabeth took to bathing in the blood ofyoung girls.

severe beatings over extended periods of time the use of needles Burning mutilation of hands, faces and genitalia biting the flesh off the faces, arms and otherbodily parts

starving of victims use of barbed lash and a heavy cudgel having them dragged naked into the snow anddoused with cold water until they froze to death.

Having their bodily parts ripped.

King Matthias II of Hungary brought ErzsebetBathory to trial along with her accomplices.

Three of the servants who helped her with herkilling spree were given a trial and found guilty.They were executed by having their fingersripped off before being burnt to death at thestake.

Due to her social status she was never broughtto trial but remained under house arrest in asingle room until her death.

Although King Matthias II didseem quite outraged aboutCountess Bathory's crimes, hismotives in wanting to bring herto trial more involved his desireto seize her lands and cancel thedebt owed her husband by theCrown than any feelings ofjustice for the poor girls shemurdered.

October, 2011. Bibliography N/A

The End!