Parental warning!
This post may contain elements of violence and inapropriate vocabulary.It is not recommended for viewing by persons under the age of 18.
Early life
Erzsebet Bathory, known more commonly in the Western world by the anglicised name Elizabeth, was born August 7th, 1560.
Elizabeth was highly-educated for her time, being fluent in Hungarian, Latin and Greek.
Elizabeth was engaged to Ferenc Nádasdy at age 11,what was probably a political arrangement within the circles of the aristocracy.The couple married on 8 May 1575 when she was 14 and a half years old, in the little palace of Varannó.
Elizabeth moved to Nádasdy Castle in Sárvár and spent much time on her own, while her husband studied in Vienna.
In 1578, Nádasdy became the chief commander of Hungarian troops, leading them to war against the Ottomans.Ferenc was a warrior by nature, and frequently absent. To occupy her time she is said to have taken numerous young men as lovers. She even ran away with one of these, but returned after a very short time to her husband.
After ten years of marriage Elizabeth finally gave her husband children; three daughters and at last a son. By all reports, Elizabeth was an excellent mother.
In January 1604, Ferenc Nadasdy died of an infected wound.
After her husband's death,in 1604 she moved to Castle Cachtice located in Slovakia. This was the the location of her most infamous and brutal acts. She then took up a new partner in crime by the name of Anna Darvulia.Elizbeth also had another trusty helper by the name of Dorotta Szentes. With her and her other helpers she began gathering the virgins at night.
Why virgins?
It was said that one day, the aging countess was having her hair combed by a young servent girl.The girl accidently pulled her hair, and Elizabeth turned and slapped the servent. Blood was drawn, and some of it spurted onto Elizabeth's hands. As she rubbed it on her hands, they seemed to take on the girl's youthful appearance. It was from this incident that Elizabeth developed her reputation for desiring the blood of young virgins.
When the virgins arrived at the castle they were hung upside-down dangling from chains wraped at their ankles. At this point they would still be alive and naked. After they were hung thier throats were slit so that the blood would drain and Elizbeth could take her bath in their blood.
It is said that she would bathe in the blood of virgins thinking that if she did that she would remain forever young.Many people at the time made the claim that she was a vampire.
One of the torture tactics,was to stick pins into sensitive body parts. Another one she used in the winter, would be to strip her victems naked, lead them into the snow where they would be drenched with water until they froze. Elizabeth loved to whip her naked victems in the front rather than the back, because there was more damage done and she could also see their horrified faces.
Elizabeth's punishment
Elizabeth Bathory was convicted of the murder of 80 young women and her four associates were convicted as well. She was forced to watch as they had their fingernails ripped out,and then they were thrown alive into a fire where they burned to death,before being bricked up in Cachtice Castle
Elizabeth Bathory was convicted of the murder of 80 young women and her four associates were convicted as well. She was forced to watch as they had their fingernails ripped out,and then they were thrown alive into a fire where they burned to death,before being bricked up in Cachtice Castle
The only thing that spared her life was the fact that she was of Royal blood. So she was ordered walled up in Cachtice Castle for the remainder of her life. She lasted for four years. She was never again allowed to look at herself in a mirror because of her crimes and her lust for youth by bathing in the blood of her victims. It is said that the authorities at the time made sure their was nothing in her rooms that she could see herself in and her guards were deaf and mute. It was ordered that she was never to hear human speech again. It has long been the rumor that she died screaming and trying to dig through the castle walls with her hands.
When she died the small hole was bricked up and was not opened again until the castle was badly damaged in the Second World War. Her skeleton was removed from the castle and she was buried in an unmarked grave in the castle yard.
It was said that Elizabeth Bathory was very attractive.Elizabeth Bathory had long black hair and had a light skin color.She had very feminen features, she was also very slender and tall for the time. It was also said that she had a good figure. However she was extreamly vain and narcissistic.She changed her clothing five or six times a day and spent hours admiring her legendary beauty in mirrors. She used all manner of oils and unguents to preserve and whiten her skin.
Elizabeth Báthory has continued to appear as a character in music,film,plays,books,games and toys and to serve as an inspiration for similar characters.
-Bathory was the name of a band from Vällingby, Sweden, who are widely credited with the creation of the Black Metal and Viking Metal sub-genres.
-In 1998, the band Cradle of Filth took inspiration from Elizabeth Báthory for their album Cruelty and the Beast.
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...
Quote from movie "Stay alive",also known as Elizabeth's pray.
Poster for movie "The Countess (2009)",inspired by life of Elizabeth Bathory.
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