Elizabeth Báthory: The Blood Countess

August 1, 2015

Elizabeth Báthory was born to a rich family of nobility in 1560, in Transylvania which was then in the Kingdom of Hungary. She is listed in the Guinness World Book of Records as being the most prolific female serial killer ever.

Elizabeth Báthory was a wife, mother, benefactor, and prominent socialite who attended the king's coronation just months before her arrest. As a child, Elizabeth Báthory was exposed to violence against the peasants, and learned to condone it at an early age. She was married at age 15, and it is unclear how much her husband participated in her actions. Her behaviour did worsen considerably after he died in 1600.

There is a story (legend?) that explains how it all began. One day her maid tugged too hard while brushing Elizabeth's hair, and Elizabeth slapped the maid so hard that blood splattered onto Elizabeth. Later, Elizabeth noticed that where the maid's blood had landed on her, that particular spot seemed younger looking. And thus it all began.

Between 1585 and 1610, Elizabeth Báthory tortured and killed hundreds of young peasant girls, who were lured to her castle with promises of good maidservant jobs. Rumours of her atrocities began as early as 1602, and complaints were made against her. The complaints were ignored until the victims changed from peasant girls to the daughters of local nobility, who were sent to her for lessons in etiquette. In 1610, King Matthias ordered an investigation. Testimony was collected from more than 300 witnesses, and hundreds of mutilated and tortured bodies were found.

Because of her position in society, Elizabeth Báthory was arrested but never faced trial. Four of her servants were put on trial; they were said to have obtained the girls for her and helped her in her torture. They were found guilty and 3 of them were immediately executed. The trial transcripts are still on record.

The number of girls she was convicted of murdering was 80, although the numbers were much higher. One woman claimed that the countess kept records, and the number 650 had been seen. The book with these records was never produced.

Since a public trial would have disgraced a noble and influential family, Elizabeth Báthory was imprisoned in solitary confinement and walled up in the tower of her family's castle. There were slots just large enough for air and food. She died there 4 years later.

Immediately after her death, folklore surrounded Elizabeth Báthory. There were many rumours associated with her. For example, there was the rumour that at the time of her arrest, she was found covered with blood. This is fiction. Perhaps another fiction is the reason for her killing: she is said to have believed that bathing in the blood of young girls kept her youthful. This story was invented several hundred years after her death. Because of those rumours, she has been dubbed The Blood Countess and Countess Dracula. She has been called a witch or a vampire, and is said to have inspired the Brothers Grimm and Bram Stoker in their writings.

Today tourists can visit Cachtice Castle where Elizabeth Báthory died, which is now in Slovakia. A large, wooden statue of her was placed in the town square. Hello?!?! And don't forget the “Báthory Blood” label for the local wine. Ruby red, of course.