The Woman behind the Legend
Bram Stoker became famous for his
legendary tale on Dracula. Many speculate that he based his idea on Vlad Tepes,
or Vlad the Impaler; born 1431, and presumed to have died sometime in December
of 1476, although how he exactly died, is still undetermined.
Vlad Tepes, the man that was imprisoned by
the Turks, beaten and humiliated. Finally getting his revenge when he became
king. His methods of killing his victims, especially the Turkish soldiers,
spread throughout Europe.
He reviled in their pain, enjoyed the
destruction he left. Yet, Count Dracula did indeed become well-known as being a
Vampire. One that preyed on his victims at night, biting into their flesh, and
rejuvenating himself by drinking their blood.
So, was the legend, Dracula, really based
on Vlad Tepes? Or could there be someone around that time period that was far
more sadistic? Someone that preyed on the innocent, someone obsessed with
beauty and youthfulness. And someone that history tells us actually committed atrocious
acts, only to drink and bathe in her victim’s blood.
Countess Elizabeth Bathory. A girl
destroyed when she witnessed a brutal attack and murder of her two sisters,
turning her into a woman bent on revenge and evil tendencies.
But who was Elizabeth Bathory? Is it
really true that her victims reached the six hundred mark?
A
Child Destined for Evil.
Elizabeth Bathory was born into a family
of cardinals, princes and Prime Ministers on the 7th of August, 1560
by Gyorgy and Anna Bathory. A difficult birth for her mother, Elizabeth would
experience violent seizures around the ages of four or five. The doctors in the
day couldn’t quite explain it. Whether it was some form of epilepsy, or some
other neurological disorder. Some may even surmise that she was indeed
possessed.
Although her family was one of the most
prominent protestant families in Hungary, her extended family was known for
their wild behaviour. Was she cursed from the beginning? Fated to become what
she was.
One uncle dabbled with rituals and satanic
worship, while her Aunt Klara was thought to be bi-sexual, bringing young women
into her house, enjoying the game of torturing her servants. Klara rumoured to
have had four husbands, each mysteriously dying. Ironically, the connection
between Elizabeth and Vlad extended to her family. Her uncle, Prince Stephen
participated in an expedition with Vlad Tepes in Wallachia, 1475.
Legend has it that her relatives dabbled
in the black arts, diabolism and rampant promiscuity. But probably one of the
most interesting things to note about her family, was the common practice of
incest and rape.
The small catalyst that might have started
ideas forming in Elizabeth’s head, was when she witnessed the rape and murder
of her two sisters at the age of nine.
At the age of twelve, Elizabeth was
engaged to Ferenc Nadasdy; known for his brutality towards servants, and his
obsession with Italian sex toys. Being engaged didn’t stop her from rebelling
against the expectations imposed on her; dressing as a boy, playing boy’s
games. And although engaged at the time, Elizabeth gave birth by a peasant boy.
Her child taken away, doomed to marry into a family for political reasons.
Even at a young age, Elizabeth was
obsessed with beauty, spending hours in front of her mirror. Marrying the
twenty-six year old Count Ferenc Nadasdy at the age of 15, and moving to live
at the Castle Csejthe. Her husband spent much of his time away fighting in
wars, and was nicknamed ‘The Black Hero of Hungary’. With a domineering
mother-in-law, Elizabeth struggled to cope with her new life.
Rebelling against her duties, Elizabeth
briefly eloped with a dark-haired, pale-skin stranger. But one day when she
woke, he had disappeared, and she had no choice but to return to her life with
the count.
The
Persistent Vice
In the year 1578, Ferenc was appointed the
chief commander of the Hungarian troops to fight against the Ottomans.
Elizabeth took on her role to manage the business obligations of the estate,
surrounded by villages and agricultural lands, bordered by the Little
Carpathians.
A well-educated woman, Elizabeth could
read and write in four languages. For a time, she looked after the peasants;
making sure they were given adequate medical care. She even intervened on
behalf of destitute women, or those that were victims of the Turks.
But evil still remained in Elizabeth. In
those day, it was common for nobility to torture the servants, in which
Elizabeth happily participated in. With guidance by her Aunt Klara, and the
Count, she would experiment with ways to inflict maximum amount of pain.
However, it wasn’t until the death of her
husband in 1604, did she finally begin her ultimate path of destruction.
The
Liquid Elixir
Stories differ in accurate accounts, but
it is a common belief that at the age of forty, she truly become obsessed with
her beauty; terrified of losing her youthfulness. One day, a young servant girl
accidently pulled her hair while combing it. Viciously slapping the petrified
girl across the face, she instantly drew blood. Blood fell onto the Countess’s
hand, and she was convinced that blood altered her skin, making it appear more
youthful.
Determined to keep this youth, her plan
began to formulate. Along with accomplices, Elizabeth decided to experiment
with the servants and peasants. Bringing them to her castle, in which it was
rumoured she tortured them, drained them of blood, and bathed in it.
The
Obsession Leading to her Demise
The Countess’ downfall was when she
decided to spread the word that she could teach the young girls of Aristocracy
lessons in etiquette. Instead, she abused these girls just like the servants.
There are different accounts to what
finally happened. Some say one of the girls escaped, others say the Protestant
pastor who first buried some of the girls finally spoke forward, or whether too
many girls from influential families disappeared. One way or the other, on the
30th of December, 1609, Elizabeth’s castle was finally raided, and
her and her accomplices were arrested. The scene before those that raided the
castle was horrific.
King Matthias, through his investigations
determined that over 600 girls had been victims of Elizabeth and her servants. Her servants were put on trial in the year
1611. Some believe they were tortured to confess. Either way, three were
executed in a brutal fashion.
Throughout those years, Elizabeth
maintained her innocence. Only charged with 80 murders, Elizabeth was not
executed because of her nobility, and influence from powerful family members. Instead,
she was placed under house arrest, walled up so no one could get in, and she
couldn’t get out.
On the 21st of August, 1614,
Elizabeth Bathory took her last breath at the age of 54. One can only deduce
what she might have died from. When the soldiers reluctantly went to retrieve
her body, a document was found. She had written a letter to invoke a darker
power to send ninety-nine cats to tear out the hearts of her accusers and
judges.
Unravelling
the Conspiracy
Records about her were sealed for a
century, people were forbidden to talk of her. Several authors, including László Nagy and Dr. Irma Szádeczky-Kardoss claim that
Elizabeth Bathory was a victim of conspiracy. That powerful men owed her a lot
of money, and had set her up. Others dispute this claim.
Whether Elizabeth
Bathory was a victim of a conspiracy, or whether she was indeed one, if not,
the first female serial killer, her tale lives on.
She once quoted, “I
grew up listening to stories about the miraculous restorative powers of blood…
Given this liquid medium in which I spent my life, it would be surprising if I
didn’t bathe in blood…”
Her inclinations were
there, her childhood background providing a sadistic backdrop, coupled with her
involvement with those that enjoyed inflicting pain. One could argue she was
worse than the legend, Dracula.
Whether or not Bram
Stoker was influenced by her, or by Vlad Tepes, one may never know. But
Countess’ Elizabeth Bathory’s story still lives on, no one really knowing the
true number of her victims.
About the author:
As an author of historical/21st
century psychological, international thrillers, my books challenge readers to
think beyond what they believe, as well as taking the reader on a journey
throughout Europe and abroad. I have conducted a lot of research into the
historical aspect, so that it is as close to what actually happened as much as
possible.
Having studied in Criminology and Neuro
Linguistic programming; in addition to doing a diploma course in body language,
enables me to give an authentic feel to my characters, and the crimes
committed. Because I’ve always been fascinated with human psychology,
especially criminal psychology, I always include that element in every book I
write.
My books don’t just cover the crimes
committed, but what drove that person to commit those crimes? Examining their
past, their weaknesses, and childhood; all building up to why some of the most infamous
crimes were committed.
Elizabeth Bathory’s tale is my main focus
in my second novel in the Annabella Cordova series, - The Legend Returns. In
which I am currently contacting publishers to publish this book.
If you are interested to read the first
book in the series – Initiated to Kill, you can find the details on my blog,
and purchase link on my Facebook Fan page.
Links:
About.me: Blog: https://sharlenefreelancewriter.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author
page: http://www.amazon.com/Sharlene-Almond/e/B00K3ZK2ZA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharleneAlmond
I met someone from the area where Barthory lived and died. They told me it is NEVER discussed publicly -a taboo subject.
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