The Murders of Elizabeth Bathory: The Blood Countess

      To start off today, I wanted to ask you all a very important question. Hey, how ya doing? Though the title of the post may seem scary, I promise you that it won't be too bad. From murder mysteries to funny stories, Mixing It Up has it all. However today I wanted to start off with a little history on Elizabeth Bathory. 

 Erzebet Bathory, or as we know her, Elizabeth Bathory is one of the earliest serial killers in recorded history. Elizabeth Bathory was born August 7, 1560. Born into a prominent Protestant nobility, Bathory's family controlled Transylvania, and her uncle Stephen Bathory was king of Poland. Raised in her family's castle, young Elizabeth grew up with many health problems. Including being epileptic and being prone to violent seizures. Many believe that her parents being first cousins may have contributed to these issues.

        As a young child, it has been said that Elizabeth was exposed to all kinds of horrific atrocities. She had begun laughing at a man who's crime was stealing as he was sewn into the body of a horse. She also began seeing the regular beatings of servants. Unlike other young girls, Elizabeth wasn't offended by the violence she saw. Instead she welcomed it. Maybe even enjoyed it. At the age of ten years, she had grown into quite a beautiful young girl. It was then she became engaged to 15 year old count, Ferencz Nadasdy, who was from another very powerful Hungarian family. Then she moved into her fiancé's parents palace, to be tutored by her future mother in-law on how to run the household. 

        On May 8, 1574, the wedding between Elizabeth and Ferencz was held. Elizabeth was just fourteen. A booming 4.5 thousand people there to celebrate. For three days the celebration was held, where Ferencz gifted his wife a castle. The castle where a bunch of stuff happens later on. Castle Cachtice, one of the darkest, most bleakly gothic castles in all of Hungary.

        in 1591 the Turks invaded Hungary, starting what was know as the Long War. This took place from about 1593-1606. During this time Elizabeth took care of the many estates she controlled. While her husband was off at battle. During his time on the battle field Ferencz earned himself the name, The Black Knight. 

        The war dragged on draining the Hungarian economy. However, Elizabeth never felt the pinch on money because her husband spoiled her with riches straight from the Ottoman Empire. So much so, that they even had to lend some money over to the Hungarian Hapsburg Empire. During these times Cachtice was threatened by the Turks. Having to defend her husband's estate, Elizabeth did so effectively. At times she even gave refuge to desperate peasants, feeding and housing them. 

        In the early years of their marriage, Elizabeth and Ferencz didn't spend much time together. With him being in the wars and she being the lady of the house, they had their separate duties. However when they did see each other it is said they bonded over their love for violence. Torturing young servant girls. It is also said that Ferencz taught Elizabeth many methods of torture, and even gave her a metal claw to scratch the faces of disobedient servant girls. 

        In 1601 another woman joined the household by the name of Anna Darvolya. It is rumored that she was a witch. Despite all that, Elizabeth's persona seemed to change from the time Darvolya entered her and Ferencz's household. She seemed more sadistic in a manner. Where her husband taught torture, Anna taught to kill. 

        Do to the tutorage of Anna, Elizabeth is accounted for several murders of servants around this time. Theses missing servant girls was not a huge deal seeing at peasants were disposable at the hand of their higher peers at the time. When anyone started to question, they soon backed down at the authority of the Bathory-Nadasdy family held. This left Elizabeth protected to torture and kill as much to her hearts desire. 

        Despite the power, rumors still spread. Priests became incredibly suspicious when Elizabeth called more frequently for the funerals of young servant girls that had apparently 'died of cholera'. One priest became so that he pulled the young countess aside and said, "Your Grace should not have acted so because it offends the Lord, and we will be punished if we do not complain to you and criticize your Grace. And in order to confirm my words are true, we need only exhume the body and you will find that the marks identify the way in which death occurred." 

        Bathory was outraged that the Priest dare accused her in this manner. She threatened that she had powerful relatives that would tolerate no such talk. Then stormed out of the church for her husband to smooth things over with the priest. 

        In 1604, Ferencz passed away. The cause is not fully known, but we do know that he overcame some sort of paralysis in his legs.  Together Elizabeth and Ferencz had 5 children. At the time of his death, Elizabeth was 44 years old. 

        After the death of her husband, servants began to notice that Elizabeth became even more sadistic in a manner. Her hobby of torturing young girls and women, now became a full time pre-occupation. About 400 servant girls spread out among her vast estates, Elizabeth had plenty of victims. However, killing her staff became quite a hassle, having to replace them.

          Do to this factor Elizabeth began to lure young girls from the villages surrounding her castles. When she had her fun with torturing these unfortunate girls, she flung them over the walls of her castles to be torn apart by wolves. The countess also gained a few accomplices who facilitated her murderous actions. Anna Darvolya was her main accomplice, however one of her children's nurses also joined them, known as Ilona Jo and her friend Dorka. As well as a washer woman named Katalin. 

        Other than Elizabeth, the two most sadistic where Anna and Dorka who would try to out-do each other in inflicting pain on their victims. And finally the youngest of the group, a disfigured teen girl by the name of Fizcko. 

        Though many claims of dead servant girls were dismissed, in 1609 the rumors of Elizabeth slaying the noble young women attracted attention. Her cousin ,Gyorgy Thurzo, Count Palatine of Hungary, was ordered by King Matthias of Hungary to investigate. Gyorgy, after investigating the people surrounding the area of Elizabeth's estate, determined that Bathory had tortured and killed 600 girls with the assistance of her circle. On December 30, 1609 Bathory and her friends were arrested. 

        The servants were put on trial in 1611, and three of so were executed. Although she wasn't tried, Elizabeth was confined to her chambers where she stayed until she died.  

                  "Honey, listen closely. Beauty fades, but dumb is forever!" - Elizabeth Bathory

                        I hope you guys enjoy the little history lesson. I found it very intriguing. If you have any question or want me to do a certain topic just comment. The next post is going to be a whole lot less serious. Bye guys!

                                                                                                                                        - Emma