Although it is commonly believed that Bthory was caught in the act of torture, she was having dinner. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. The theory is consistent with Hungarian history at that time, which included religious and political conflicts, especially relating to the wars with the Ottoman Empire, the spread of Protestantism and the extension of Habsburg power over Hungary. Her father was George VI Bathory, the voivode of Transylvania, the senior government official in this region, approximating to eastern Romania today, but which was then, like Hungary, a constituent part of the broad territories of the Habsburg . The third son, Stephen V (d. 1493) excelled as a military commander and was made Voivode of Transylvania, the first of a long line of Bthory rulers of that country. Her mother's father had been the Voivod (or Prince) of Transylvania, as had her father's brother - in fact, her parents came from two branches of the Bthory family. Elizabeth Bthory was born in 1560 to Protestant nobility in Hungary. Rate this book. I find it interesting that she was born in Transylvania, the same place that Vlad Tepes (Vlad Dracula) was born. Where did Elizabeth Bathory grow up? 2 She came from a wealthy, Protestant family that were significant landowners in Hungary. Her trial was not fair by the standards of her time (torturing witnesses, etc.) In 1575 she married Count Ferencz Ndasdy and moved to Castle Csejte (now in Cachtice, Slovakia), a wedding gift from Ndasdys family. 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). Wikimedia CommonsMany modern Hungarian scholars believe that the accusations against Elizabeth Bathory were exaggerated. Despite being a noblewoman, she was a famous serial killer. On December 30, 1609, Bthory and her servants were arrested. 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. Thurz ordered two notaries, Andrs Keresztry and Mzes Czirky,[19] to collect evidence in March 1610. Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian countess, was the daughter of Ann and George Bathory.1 She was born on August 7th, 1590, in Transylvania.2 She came from a wealthy, Protestant family that were significant landowners in Hungary. After the death of the count on the battlefield in January 1604, horrifying suspicions of torture, murder and vampirism were voiced against Elizabeth. [15] The woman was paid for her actions, and the child was taken to Wallachia. [3] Some insist she inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897),[11] although Stoker's notes on the novel provided no direct evidence to support this hypothesis. As was the case with many noble families at the time, the family had long been marrying relatives to keep their status; thus, some theorize that Elizabeth's inbred ancestry could have left her vulnerable to mental instability. A few years later, Elizabeth Bathory died in solitary confinement on August 22, 1614. Elizabeth was raised on Ecsed, an estate in Transylvania. Bthory was born into prominent Protestant nobility in Hungary. Bathory took the advice, which turned out be a mistake for her. Anna was born roughly in the year 1585, and Katalin approximately 1594. But not everyone is convinced of her guilt. Abridged from Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters by Peter Vronsky. It was only when noble girls started disappearing and dying that he demanded Thurzo to look into it. There she died in 1614 at age 54. Elizabeth Bathory was born on the family estate of Nyirbator in eastern Hungary on the 7th of August 1560. Tony Thorne. This Serial Killer was active in the following countries: Slovakia. This article was incredible! Before dying, Ndasdy entrusted his heirs and widow to Gyrgy Thurz, who would eventually lead the investigation into Bthory's crimes. She allegedly expanded her sights and began killing daughters of the gentry who had been sent to Csejte for their education. Luke possessed wide estates in Szatmr and was granted by King Charles Robert the lordship of Ecsed, where he built the castle called Hsg (loyalty). [citation needed], After the wedding, the couple lived in Nadasdy's castle at Srvr. [clarification needed] She was detained in the castle of Csejte for the remainder of her life, where she died at the age of 54. Bathory gave birth to five children. Today, Elizabeth Bathory is infamously remembered as the "Blood Countess" who killed up to 650 girls and women in the Kingdom of Hungary. I guess that is the problem with absolute dynastic systems, you get people in power who really shouldnt be. Although the exact nature of the illness which led to his death is unknown, it seems to have started in 1601, and initially caused debilitating pain in his legs. The Bathory Nadasdy family agreed to cancel Matthias's debts- and Matthias decided that Elizabeth Bathory would disappear behind the walls of her castle. After the trials concluded, Thurzo founded Bathory guilty, and she stayed in solitary confinement in her castle, Cachtice, for the rest of her life. Thurz collected evidence from some 300 witnesses who leveled a bevy of truly horrifying charges against the countess. It took 35 years and 650 girls for the King of Hungary to take action. But as time went on, rumors that Bathory tortured her servants began to spread. After this, Briccius and his descendants named themselves Bthory, i.e. They were the king's witnesses, but they were executed. [4][6][24] Two trials were held in the wake of Bthory's arrest: the first was held on 2 January 1611, and the second on 7 January 1611. One of those children (Pl) had two children. The Ecsed branch first rises to prominence with the sons of Luke's grandson John V. His eldest son Bartholomew I fell in 1432 fighting against the Hussites. Worst case? She became a leading public health activist during her lifetime. Bathory herself was spared from execution due to her status as a noble. However, this is a fairly contemporary copy of that original, probably painted in the late 16th century. The ruins of Csejte Castle, where Elizabeth Bathory supposedly committed unspeakable crimes. [citation needed], Several authors, such as Lszl Nagy and Dr. Irma Szdeczky-Kardoss, have argued that Elizabeth Bthory was a victim of a conspiracy. [36] It is difficult to know how accurate his account of events is. [17] To support Bthory's innocence, the testimony of around 300 witnesses[citation needed] and the physical evidence collected by the investigators have to be addressed or disputed. Elizabeth Bthory (or Erzsbet, to use the Hungarian spelling) was born into a Hungarian noble family on the 7th August, 1560. 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. For years, citizens were frightened of Elizabeth Bathory. Depictions of Bathory often mention her bathing in the blood of virgin victims in an attempt to recapture her lost youth. During colder parts of the year young women might be stripped naked and forced into deadly ice baths. About Erzsbet Bthory, "The Blood Countess". Some of Bathory's victims were covered with honey and left outside for insects to devour. Hambly. As a wealthy noblewoman, Bathory evaded the law until 1610, according to the History Channel. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. A powerful terror ruled over lands in Hungary in the 16th century. Bthory was born in 1560 on a family estate in Nyrbtor, Royal Hungary. She was sentenced to life imprisonment (but living in relative luxury) in one of the Bthory castles, instead of being executed, due to her family's influence. I never new much about Elizabeth Bathory other than her obsession with Virgin blood and the occult, but boy did some of these accounts just turn my stomach. ", in, This page was last edited on 19 August 2022, at 17:33. ", in. 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. Bathory is reputed to have killed at least six hundred victims, earning her a Guinness World Record for most prolific female murderer. (shelved 3 times as elizabeth-bathory) avg rating 3.75 256 ratings published 1997. [9] Her older brother, Stephen Bthory (15551605), served as a Judge Royal of Hungary. When the trial ended, Bathorys alleged accomplices one of whom had worked as a wet nurse for the countess children were convicted of witchcraft and burned at the stake. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. Both make for a compelling story even if only one of them is actually true. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Elizabeth Bthory (Hungarian Noblewoman and Serial Killer) Elizabeth Bthory or Erzsebet Bathory was a feared Hungarian countess who became infamous as a torturer and a vicious serial murderer. During her childhood, Bathory had a neurological disorder, and the environment around her only contributed to her sadistic ways. [10], Another branch of the family are the Bthory of Simolin family, which was named after their estate Simony (or Simolin). [3], In 1310, Btor came into the sole possession of Briccius when he reached an agreement with his nephew Michael and his cousin Vid to divide the joint possessions. For other uses, see, "Batory" redirects here. Today, Elizabeth Bathory is infamously remembered as the Blood Countess who killed up to 650 girls and women in the Kingdom of Hungary. Listen above to the History Uncovered podcast, episode 49: Bloody Mary, also available on, true story behind the real-life Bloody Mary. But as the story goes, Bathory didnt stop there. Meet Elizabeth Bathory, The Blood Countess Who May Have Been Historys Most Prolific Female Serial Killer. However, he may have schooled her in techniques of torture when they were together. [26], On 25 January 1611, Thurz wrote a letter to King Matthias describing that they had captured and confined Bthory to her castle. 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. George and Anna Bthory produced the most infamous member of the family, Elizabeth, a widow Countess who was eventually tried and found guilty of murdering hundreds of young peasant girls over the course of twenty years, making her the most prolific serial killer in history. She was brought up in the rarefied atmosphere of 16th century elites - her every whim was satisfied, and people from all walks of life fawned over the beautiful aristocrat. [27][28], She wrote a will in September 1610, in which she left all current and future inheritance possession to her children. The couple lived in Nadasdy 's castle at Srvr to her status as a Judge of. His heirs and widow to Gyrgy thurz, who would eventually lead the into. ``, in, this page was last edited on 19 August 2022, at 17:33 times. 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