Countess Elizabeth Bathory


An essay by Mistress Lily

August 7, 1560, was a day that will be remembered for all time. This was the day Countess Elizabeth (Erzebet) Bathory was born in Transylvania, currently known as Czechoslovakia. Her life would become a mystery and her crimes would cross over from reality to myth. Who was Elizabeth Bathory and what were her crimes that lead people to believe she was a vampire or a werewolf? To understand the woman we first must understand the times which she lived. The material throughout this paper maybe disturbing to some readers, it was important to show the mental illness Elizabeth Bathory suffered.

The early 1500's record times of constant battles and wars over land. This was also a time of religious struggle between the New Protestants and the Catholics. Transylvania would soon change over to the New Protestant beliefs but many nobles would stay with Catholic beliefs. During these times it was common for peasants and commoners to be tortured and mistreated.

A peasant uprising in 1514, was led by George Dozsa (Gyorgy Dozsa), in which Dozsa felt commoners and peasants were treated unfairly. Dozsa and his followers would later be burned alive at the stake by John Zapolya, whose actions were supported by many Noblemen.Although Elizabeth did not witness these actions, it only shows how Nobles of future generations would be raised to believe commoners and peasants were below them. Another factor that may have affected the late Elizabeth Bathory may have been the inbreeding amongst royalty as well. Elizabeth's mother Baroness Anna Bathory was married to Antal Drugeth and then Gaspar Dragffy before marrying Baron George Bathory. This constant inbreeding was to ensure of what was commonly known as "clean blood lines" or "blue blood."At this time there were not many nobles living in Transylvania. In private conversation between family members they often complained often about symptoms of madness, epilepsy and other psychological disorders. Epilepsy was a word used often to cover and mask mental disorders. Whether it was shame, ignorance, or just too early of a time for psychology to set a new path for understanding, we will never know. We can however come to the conclusion from medical science, to reproduce within family lines. The offspring will have some sort of mental illness or madness. Sexually transmitted diseases would have also caused mental illness and madness as well.

While researching family members of Elizabeth, I found that an uncle, Gabor, suffered a severe illness. It was reported by his domestic servants he would dress in the middle of the night and shout out in a incomprehensive language, and fight with unseen attackers. It was noted that Gabor would foam at the mouth, falling to the floor. When servants tried to aid him, he would bite their hands and arms. Gabor along with Elizabeth often complained of severe headaches before these episodes. All of these are symptoms of epilepsy, previous to a convulsion, and can be found on any medical documentation.

After Elizabeth's birth there is not much information until approximately the age of six years old. A band of gypsies were invited to perform in Ecsed Castle. It was during the performance one of the gypsies was accused of selling his child to the Turks. He claimed innocence and said that his daughter was stolen by the Turks. When a large amount of money was found in his belongings he was found guilty and sentenced to death. The following morning Elizabeth was said to have snuck away from her governess to watch the man's punishment for his crime. A horse was tied down by it's legs, as a soldier sliced open it's belly, the gypsy was placed inside the horse with only his head hanging out. The horse's belly was then sewn shut. The torture the man must have suffered can not be explained. French writer Maurice Perisset wrote that "Elizabeth giggled over the sight of the man." This was merely the beginning of torturous treatments that Elizabeth would experience and learn from.

In 1571, Ferenc Nadasdy and Countess Elizabeth Bathory were engaged to be married. Ferenc's mother Ursula Nadasdy wanted her son to be married so that there would be an heir to oversee her estates. Elizabeth was a mere eleven while Ferenc was sixteen. This was not uncommon for young couples to be engaged.

While staying with Ursula, Elizabeth, was said to have dressed up in men's clothes often, while having a sexual affair with a peasant. Elizabeth became pregnant and it was officially reported she was merely ill. She was taken to Bathory castle during her pregnancy until the child was born. The child (an unknown girl) was given to a peasant along with enough money to raise along with a promise not to ever mention this incident. Ursula complained in private letters of Elizabeth's actions, and documented the entire story.

May 8, 1575, Count Ferenc Nadasdy and Countess Elizabeth Bathory were wed in marriage by a delegate sent by Roman Emperor Maximillian. Maximillian felt the trip to Varanno Castle, where the couple was wed was too dangerous for his presence. Elizabeth kept her born given name instead of taking on her newlywed husbands as she felt her name was more powerful and older than his. Count Bathory would spend much of his time away from home in war, while the Countess would attend to the affairs at home. Approximately around 1585, Elizabeth had a daughter whom she named Anna, perhaps after her deceased mother. Elizabeth gave birth to two more girls, Orsika (Ursula), after her deceased mother-in-law, and Katherina. In 1598, she would give birth to her only son, whom she named Paul. Helena Jo would be his dajka (child nurse) who cared for him while Elizabeth dealt with family affairs.

Letters from Elizabeth to her husband reveal a loyal wife and mother. Original statement from Raymond T. McNally, Dracula Was a Woman ["My much beloved Husband, I am writing to offer my services to you, my beloved lord and master. As for the children, thanks be to God, they are all right. But Orsika (Ursula) has eye pains and Kato (Katherina) has toothaches. Thanks be to God, I am feeling fine, even though I have headaches and eye pains. May God protect you and be with you." Another side note I wish to add here is that it was recorded Elizabeth to be a very intelligent woman. She unlike most nobles of her time could read and write. Elizabeth was also fluent in German, Latin, and Hungarian, while it was said her husband Count Ferenc was a poor student. There is no mention if he could properly read and write as he made his career in life to battle in wars.

Elizabeth appeared to be the loyal wife and loving mother, but what we would come to find is what has haunted not only Transylvania but across the globe for almost four centuries.

It was never stated actually when the tortures began of peasants in the Bathory Castle, but as previously stated it was not an uncommon occurrence. Many have claimed that Elizabeth's husband did not know of her activities but they did share a common practice of torturing slaves together.

According to witnesses the Count had ordered Helena Jo's younger sister to be made an example of for being what he referred to as "lazy." The young woman was taken to the court yard where she was completely undressed before Ferenc and male servants. Her body was covered in honey and she was forced to stand outside for twenty-four straight hours. She was bitten repeatedly by bees, fleas, and other insects, as her body finally fell to the ground from enduring so much pain. This would be referred as a mysterious illness known as "falling sickness" by a male servant named Ficzko.

Another torture method used for "lazy servants" was called "Star Kicking". They placed paper between a woman's toes and set it on fire. When the woman fell to the ground in unbearable pain, the couple believed she was putting on an act of show. The Count then taught Elizabeth to soak the paper in oil before lighting it. Ferenc said "She will be in so much pain she will see stars." Although Ferenc taught his wife how to torture their servants there is no documented proof to suggest he killed any of them. Elizabeth, however would go beyond torture into a psychological scandal of murders.

Castle Cachtice, Elizabeth's home is where most of the tortures took place. The servants involved, Darvulia, Helena JO, Dorothea Szentes, Janos Szilvassy (Ficzko), Katarina Beneczky and Erzsi Majorova would in a few short years face the punishments of aiding their beloved Countess. An unknown woman who dressed as a man and aided the countess would never be found or her identity discovered. She was known only by the name "Stefan", when a chambermaid who claimed she escaped Elizabeth's castle escaped.

Where did the Countess torture her victims? According to her servants anywhere she wanted. Bytca in the pantry, Sarvar Castel in the tower, Castle Cachtice in the cellars and washrooms, Keresztur Castle in the closet, and in the dungeons of Lezeticz Castle. Elizabeth had no fear of being caught and if she had she never showed any signs.

Elizabeth was most famous for her methods of torture. Often she had her young manservant Ficzko take young women up to the tower believing they were going to prepare for baths they never questioned. From Elizabeth's tower window she viewed across the courtyard the young women undress. She always chose those who were young and rather large breasted. Once during the winter, Elizabeth had several young women brought before her in the court yard. She ordered her servants strip them as cold water was thrown onto their naked bodies. The young women were left to freeze to death.

Witnesses claimed that Elizabeth had young women lay on the floor while she beat them and tortured them until they were dead. The floor was so covered in blood you would clean it up by the buckets. Considering this large amount of blood it may have been the key that led people to believe she was "bathing in blood".

Around the time of 1609-1610 Elizabeth became ill with an unknown sickness. This however did not stop her madness and the need to release her anger upon her young servants. Dorka, Elizabeth's servant and close friend, as well as Katarina would bring young women to Elizabeth's bedside. Dorka often beat the women to the point where they would have no strength to fight off the Countess's attacks. While at her bedside Elizabeth would bite the flesh of the woman usually on the breast or shoulders, tearing away pieces of flesh.

The most horrifying killing was that of a 12 year old girl named, Pola. Helena Jo and Dorka were ordered to bring her back to the castle after the young girl had escaped. She was put into a cage as it was pulled up towards the ceiling. She could not fully stand or sit, it was much to narrow. Ficzko maneuvered a pulley that had spikes attached to it. As Pola tried to avoid them, Ficzko was able to hit her with them. She died almost instantly as her flesh was torn to shreds. This could be perhaps another explanation for Elizabeth's constant changing of clothes. As blood would have spatted from her victims she would have changed frequently since she would have been blood soaked.

Although Elizabeth went to such extreme measures of murder she always made sure her victims had a proper Christian burial. It was when the local pastor refused to bury any more of her servants Elizabeth became angry and disposed of the bodies by any means she could. Ficzko had been reported to have been placing bodies in the garden near by, wheat silos, near by streams or even once on the road.

During the winter of 1610 would be the time when Elizabeth's gruesome "hobbies" would be discovered. Local villagers had seen Elizabeth and Ficzko drop the bodies of four young women onto the road. When Count Thurzo heard the news a raid was planned and took place on December 29th, 1610. As Count Thurzo (Elizabeth's cousin) approached the castle they found a young servant woman tortured to death laying at the castle doors. Elizabeth and her servants were immediately taken into custody.

Elizabeth was never brought to court or even tried due to her family influence and status. However Count Thurzo, after hearing all testimony decided her fate which would not be as harsh as those who had serviced her loyally out of fear. Elizabeth was sentenced to life imprisonment in her own bedroom where all doors and windows were sealed with brick. Only one small opening was left to pass food through.

Helena JO and Dorothea Szentes received the most harsh of sentences. A public executioner used a pair of hot pincers to cut off their fingers then their hands. They were then burned alive. Ficzko was only decapitated due to his age and less involvement in crimes. His blood was was drained and placed with that of Helena's and Dorthea's to be burned as well. Erzsi Majorova was later found guilty and executed. Katarina Beneczky was found guilty but never received the death penalty.

Zusanna a maiden who testified on behalf of Katarina produced evidence in which she exchanged for Katarina's life. The evidence she presented was a list of the women Elizabeth had killed in her own hand writing. The number added up to 650 young servants and nobles.

August 21st, 1614 at the age of 54 Countess Elizabeth Bathory died in her imprisonment. She was discovered by a guard who had looked through the small opening to see her, when he saw her laying on the floor. Elizabeth was to be buried in the town of Cachtice but when word arose that the town would not have it, she was then taken to Ecsed, original Bathory seat. King Matthias has set law that her name should never be spoken in civilized conversation. However this did not stop rumors from spreading of the Countess's deeds.

One hundred years after Elizabeth's death in 1720 a Hungarian Jesuit Father Laszlo Turoczy wrote a book after discovering copies of court testimony of Elizabeth's servant's trials. Father Turoczy told many tales of how the Countess had bathed in blood, however there is no such mention in the court documents. Gothic writers became such as Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker would create a new horizon for such myth's and legends to support claims of vampires, monsters, and werewolves. This may have played an important factor on what people believe to be true today. It has been reported that perhaps Stoker even based his most famous book "Dracula" on the Countess however there is no physical evidence to prove this.

Countess Elizabeth Bathory suffered severe mental illness during a time at which no help could be offered or a cure found. It is also possible she suffered a type of epilepsy that went untreated. In today's society and over the last 50 years psychology has created new paths and links to discovering such behavior patterns and explanations of such. Elizabeth obviously was not a vampire even if she did rip the flesh from her victims using only her teeth.

© Mistress Lily
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Sources Used
McNally,Raymond T "Dracula was a woman"
Báthory-Kitsz,Dennis Homepage "http://www.bathory.org"
Amaral, Matthew "Brief on the life and death of Hungary's Blood Countess"
Masters, Anthony "Natural history of the vampire"
Mascetti,Manuela Dunn "Complete guide to the world of
the undead"
Marigny,Jean "Vampires, Restless creatures of the
night"
Penrose,Valentine "The Bloody Countess, The crimes of
Erzebet Bathory"