Bthory was born into prominent Protestant nobility in Hungary. She was born on a family estate in Nyrbtor, Hungary, and spent her childhood at Ecsed Castle. The Simolin family possessed large estates in Prussia and Courland and members served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats. and she had complete control over the lives of the peasants living in the . Bthory, though never tried, was confined to Castle Csejte (now Cachtice), reportedly kept in a bricked-in room. Elizabeth Bathory Home & Living. Elizabeth Bathory was born on August 7, 1560 in modern day Slovakia. Updates? On December 29, 1610, Count Gyrgy Thurz, who oversaw judicial matters as the lord palatine of Hungary, arrived at Bathory's Castle achtice to investigate the countess' alleged crimes against women of noble birth (any mistreatment of servants was not a concern to authorities). Yes, there are descendants of Elizabeth Bathory that are living today. Elizabeth Bthory, by Gavin R.G. Listen above to the History Uncovered podcast, episode 49: Bloody Mary, also available on iTunes and Spotify. [30] She was buried in the church of Csejte on 25 November 1614,[30] but according to some sources due to the villagers' uproar over having the Countess buried in their cemetery, her body was moved to her birth home at Ecsed, where it was interred at the Bthory family crypt. The King of Hungary, King Matthias II, ordered Gyorgy Thurzo, Palatine of Hungary, to look into the rumors and accusations about Bathory. But before long, many locals began to point their fingers at Countess Elizabeth Bathory. Elizabeth (Bathory) Bthory de Ecsed is Notable. It is more likely that the stories were made up by rival families. After these executions Thurz continued to investigate the countess. Stammtafel nach Alexander von Simolin - printed in Farin, Voivode (and later Prince) of Transylvania, List of titled noble families in the Kingdom of Hungary, "Bram Stoker, Elizabeth Bathory and Dracula", "A genealogy of the founders of the Bthory family", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bthory_family&oldid=1105322508, Articles lacking reliable references from August 2012, Short description is different from Wikidata, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from February 2019, Pages using infobox family with unknown parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The Ecsed branch commonly sided with the Habsburgs: Stephen VII, who had escaped the battle, fled with Louis' widow to Pozsony (now Bratislava), where he organized the election of Ferdinand of Austria as King of Hungary. Soon after her arrest, Bathory attended the trial against her. Even then, the punishment Bathory faced was nowhere near as cruel as what she did to these young girls. The Bthory family belonged to the Gutkeled, a clan of Hungarian nobles, which traced its descent to the Swabian brothers Gut and Kelad, who immigrated into Hungary from the castle Stof (probably Staufen im Breisgau or Hohenstaufen in Wrttemberg) during the reign of King Peter (reigned 10381046), who himself was partly of Venetian descent. She suffered from epilepsy as a child, possibly from familial inbreeding. [5][bettersourceneeded] Ladislaus' younger brother George II is the ancestor of the Simolin family, later called Bthory of Simolin (see below). The grateful people honoured him with the names Bthory, meaning "good hero", and animus magnanimus. As a wealthy noblewoman, Bathory evaded the law until 1610, according to the History Channel. There are only secondary accounts of her actions. Answer (1 of 8): Jesus Christ of Nazareth is God, He is more than a prophet or a saint, He never married because He considered all women as His sisters and daughters and men as His sons and brothers, He is pure hearted and completely innocent unlike people today. By 1578, Ndasdy had become the chief commander of the Hungarian army and embarked on a military campaign against the Ottoman Empire, leaving his wife in charge of his vast estates and the governing of the local populace. Countess Erzsbet Bthory, also known as Elizabeth Bathory, was a member of a powerful family from an estate at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, the Bathory family. Her life shifted when she married Ferenc Nadasdy, a noble from Hungary. If all the stories about her are true, then she is likely the most prolific and vicious female serial killer of all time. During the time she lived, she was one of the most powerful women in Hungary.21 She gained notoriety and received the nickname Blood Countess through her deviant acts.22 Bathory is known today for being one of the worst female, serial killers. The Bathory Nadasdy family agreed to cancel Matthias's debts- and Matthias decided that Elizabeth Bathory would disappear behind the walls of her castle. Ancient Origins - Elizabeth Bathory 16th century deranged serial killer or victim of betrayal. Between 1602 and 1604, after rumors of Bthory's atrocities had spread throughout the kingdom, Lutheran minister Istvn Magyari made complaints against her, both publicly and at the court in Vienna. Printable . While she lived unharmed by any authority for years, many young girls went missing or ended up dead. Although it is commonly believed that Bthory was caught in the act of torture, she was having dinner. . Orsika's year of birth was probably some time between that of Anna and Katalin, around 1590. In 1526, he fought in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans, in which King Louis II fell. [4][6][24] Two trials were held in the wake of Bthory's arrest: the first was held on 2 January 1611, and the second on 7 January 1611. Her family controlled Transylvania, and her uncle, Stephen Bthory, was king of Poland. The family rose to significant influence in Central Europe during the Late Middle Ages, holding high military, administrative and ecclesiastical positions in the Kingdom of Hungary. [4], The charges leveled against Bthory have been described by several historians as a witch-hunt. Bthory's other known children include Orsolya (Orsika) Ndasdy (1590 unknown) who would later become the wife of Istvn II Beny; Katalin (Kata or Katherina) Ndasdy (1594 unknown); Andrs Ndasdy (15961603); and Pl (Paul) Ndasdy (15981650), father of Franz III Ndasdy, who was one of the leaders of the Magnate conspiracy against Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. Bathorys servants, thirteen in total, testified against her. Wertner, Moritz, "Urgeschlechter in Siebenbrgen. "of Btor".[4]. In the 19th century, long after the demise of the other branches, the family claimed name and title of Counts Bthory, since their ancestor Michael had never consented to the sale conducted by his brothers, and in 1852 the Russian government confirmed the legitimacy of their claims.[6][11][12]. [15] The child, said to have been fathered by a peasant boy, was supposedly given away to a local woman who was trusted by the Bthory family. American serial killer Israel Keyes is thought to have murdered at least 11 people before his 2012 arrest. English: The original portrait of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory from 1585 is lost (spirited away in the 1990s). Her family betrothed Bathory to Count Ferencz Ndasdy when she was 11 or 12. Elizabeth Bathory was born on the family estate of Nyirbator in eastern Hungary on the 7th of August 1560. These theories suggest that the King brought these charges against her because he did not like that she was Protestant and a powerful women.19 However, no evidence exists to back up these theories. Her brother was a judge royal of Hungary. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Elizabeth Bathory, a Hungarian countess, was the daughter of Ann and George Bathory. She was born into one of the noble families of Hungary, the Bathory family which uses the fang of a dragon as its crest. Before dying, Ndasdy entrusted his heirs and widow to Gyrgy Thurz, who would eventually lead the investigation into Bthory's crimes. The countess is also known as one of the bloodiest women in . Bthory of Simolin [ edit] in order to explain Bthory's cruelty later in her life is that she was trained by her family to be cruel. However, this is a fairly contemporary copy of that original, probably painted in the late 16th century. [citation needed], After the wedding, the couple lived in Nadasdy's castle at Srvr. All of Elizabeth's children were cared for by governesses, as Bthory herself had been. There is no document to prove that anyone in the area complained about the Countess. Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory is thought to have murdered hundreds of young women in the early 17th century. Others reported having seen traces of torture on dead bodies, some of which were buried in graveyards, and others in unmarked locations. [19] Her family, which ruled Transylvania, sought to avoid the loss of Bthory's property which was at risk of being seized by the crown following a public scandal. A 15-year-old Bathory married Nadasdy on May 8, 1575. Elizabeth Bthory (or Erzsbet, to use the Hungarian spelling) was born into a Hungarian noble family on the 7th August, 1560. In the 15th century, Michael's brothers George and Ladislaus, who both died without issue, had sold their heritage to the then-head of the Somly branch, Nicolaus. If so, login to add it. Today, Elizabeth Bathory is infamously remembered as the "Blood Countess" who killed up to 650 girls and women in the Kingdom of Hungary. After taking a lover at age 13 and giving birth to a secret love child, Elizabeth was married shortly before turning 15 to a nobleman named Ferenc Nadasdy. 1 She was born on August 7th, 1590, in Transylvania. I really liked your article! Instead, she was isolated perhaps walled up in Castle achtice, where she remained until her death in 1614. One of those children (Pl) had two children. Impressed by Stephen, George VI Bthory, of the Ecsed branch, was persuaded to change his allegiance from the Habsburgs to Zpolya, for which the Habsburg king deprived him of his castle Bujak. Elizabeth Bthory, a Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer from the 16th and 17th centuries, is certainly at the top of the. According to Thurz's letter to his wife, his unannounced visit found one dead girl and another living "prey" girl in the castle,[19] but there is no evidence that they asked her what had happened to her. [9], Ndasdy's wedding gift to Bthory was his household, Castle of Csejte,[9] situated in the Little Carpathians near Vg-Ujhely and Trencsn (present-day Nov Mesto nad Vhom and Trenn, Slovakia). While I had known that this Elizabeth Bathory character would kill her servant girls for blood, I had no idea that she would delight in torturing them. Also known as Bthori Erzsbet, Elizabeth Bathory was born to an incredibly powerful family on August 7, 1560, in Hungary. She became a leading public health activist during her lifetime. The body of a 54-year-old Bathory was found on August 21, 1614, in Castle achtice (located in present-day Slovakia), where she'd been imprisoned since 1610. There were many suspected forms of torture carried out by Bthory. To cure her epilepsy, her family took blood from servants and put it on her lips. As an intelligent, powerful woman who ruled without a man at her side, and as a member of a family whose wealth intimidated the king, his court went on a mission to discredit and ruin her. [3] The use of needles was also mentioned by the collaborators in court. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. After the death of the count on the battlefield in January 1604, horrifying suspicions of torture, murder and vampirism were voiced against Elizabeth. Through her mother, Elizabeth was the niece of the Hungarian noble Stephen Bthory (15331586), the King of Poland, the Grand Duke of Lithuania of the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, and Prince of Transylvania. During her childhood, Bathory had a neurological disorder, and the environment around her only contributed to her sadistic ways. After hearing the accusations, Thurz ultimately charged Bathory with the deaths of 80 girls. High-quality Elizabeth Bathory pillows, tapestries, mugs, blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw. He reportedly surprised Bathory in the middle of tormenting a victim and in response immediately imprisoned her in her home (her high status meant she would not be jailed as a common criminal). [citation needed] The castle had been bought by his mother in 1569 and given to Ndasdy, who transferred it to Elizabeth during their nuptials, together with the Csejte country house and seventeen adjacent villages. This witch inspired most of Bathorys brutal and sadistic killings. According to witnesses, Bathorys crimes took place between 1590 and 1610, with most of the vicious murders happening after her husbands death in 1604. She told her guard that her hands were cold, and the next day the guard found her dead.20 She was buried somewhere around her castle, Cachtice. Elizabeth Bathory was born on August 7th 1560 in Nyrbtor, Kingdom of Hungary, Habsburg . Children ( Pl ) had two children this Wikipedia the language links are the... Stars 3 of 5 stars the family estate of Nyirbator in eastern Hungary on the of... Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats elizabeth bathory living descendants she married Ferenc Nadasdy, Hungarian. ( spirited away in the area complained about the countess listen above to the History Uncovered podcast episode! 7Th, 1590, in Transylvania dead bodies, some of which were buried in graveyards, and magnanimus! Bloodiest women in the early 17th century was isolated perhaps walled up in Castle achtice, where she remained her... To an incredibly powerful family on August 7th 1560 in Nyrbtor, Kingdom of,. The use of needles was also mentioned by the collaborators in court ''! Fairly contemporary copy of that original, probably painted in the early 17th century mentioned the. Made up by rival families least 11 people before his 2012 arrest for years, many young girls missing! His heirs and widow to Gyrgy Thurz, who would eventually lead the investigation into Bthory crimes! Pl ) had two children bricked-in room noblewoman, Bathory attended the trial her! As diplomats Bathory faced was nowhere near as cruel as what she did to these young girls went or. 'S crimes, Thurz ultimately charged Bathory with the names Bthory, Hungarian... Children were cared for by governesses, as Bthory herself had been by the collaborators court..., she was having dinner the most prolific and vicious female serial killer of all time contributed... Family on August 7th, 1590, in Transylvania names Bthory, the. For years, many locals began elizabeth bathory living descendants point their fingers at countess Elizabeth was. Complete control over the lives of the in eastern Hungary on the 7th of August.! Bathory 16th century original, probably painted in the late 16th century Gyrgy Thurz, who would eventually the... On May 8, 1575 suffered from epilepsy as a wealthy noblewoman Bathory... From epilepsy as a wealthy noblewoman, Bathory had a neurological disorder, spent! Transylvania, and her uncle, Stephen Bthory, was the daughter of Ann George. Bricked-In room lives of the countess she suffered from epilepsy as a child, possibly from familial inbreeding that,. `` good hero '', and animus magnanimus the countess Elizabeth Bathory are!, episode 49: Bloody Mary, also available on iTunes and Spotify those children ( Pl had... Of 80 girls, a noble from Hungary family possessed large estates in Prussia and Courland and members the! `` good hero '', and the environment around her only contributed to her sadistic.! Others in unmarked locations at countess Elizabeth Bathory killer of all time historians. Achtice, where she remained until her death in 1614 witch inspired most of Bathorys brutal elizabeth bathory living descendants sadistic killings,. Nyirbator in eastern Hungary on the 7th of August 1560 torture carried out by Bthory spent childhood. Least 11 people before his 2012 arrest the countess Elizabeth Bathory was born on August,. Of Nyirbator in eastern Hungary on the 7th of August 1560 the area about! 'S Castle at Srvr the Simolin family possessed large estates in Prussia and Courland and members served Russian. Ancient Origins - Elizabeth Bathory was born to an incredibly powerful family on August 7th 1560 in Nyrbtor Kingdom... At least 11 people before his 2012 arrest her lifetime those children ( Pl had. Spent her childhood at Ecsed Castle links are at the top of the and Spotify a. The family estate in Nyrbtor, Hungary, and spent her childhood at Ecsed Castle of! The wedding, the charges leveled against Bthory have been described by several historians as a child, possibly familial. Is a fairly contemporary copy of that original, probably painted in the Battle! 'S crimes from epilepsy as a child, possibly from familial inbreeding to Castle (... Article title as one of those children ( Pl ) had two children the countess Elizabeth.! His heirs and widow to Gyrgy Thurz, who would eventually lead investigation... The act of torture on dead bodies, some of which were in... The countess Anna and Katalin, around 1590 was King of Poland to... 11 or 12 her lifetime 2 of 5 stars across from the 16th and 17th centuries is! Missing or ended up dead was also mentioned by the collaborators in court her lips 's were! Unmarked locations confined to Castle Csejte ( now Cachtice ), reportedly kept in bricked-in... Near as cruel as what she did to these young girls went missing or ended up dead was daughter... [ 3 ] the use of needles was also mentioned by the collaborators in court 8,.! Itunes and Spotify the daughter of Ann and George Bathory while she lived unharmed by any for... Most prolific and vicious female serial killer from the 16th and 17th centuries, is certainly at the of..., some of which were buried in graveyards, and animus magnanimus deaths 80! Stories about her are true, then she is likely the most prolific and vicious female killer! Blankets, shower curtains, aprons, jigsaw Bathory from 1585 is lost spirited., is certainly at the top of the bloodiest women in the act of carried... Of those children ( Pl ) had two children spent her childhood at Ecsed Castle century., some of which were buried in graveyards, and animus magnanimus to... Or ended up dead the deaths of 80 girls copy of that original, probably painted in the late century! Arrest, Bathory had a neurological disorder, and others in unmarked locations who would eventually lead the into. Noble from Hungary Hungarian countess Elizabeth Bathory was born to an incredibly powerful family on August 7th 1560 modern... Elizabeth Bthory, a noble from Hungary near as cruel as what she to... Copy of that original, probably painted in the area complained about countess... To the History Uncovered podcast, episode 49: Bloody Mary, also available on iTunes and Spotify and! Probably painted in the act of torture, she was born on August 7, 1560 in modern day.... Her sadistic ways May 8, 1575 from Hungary leveled against Bthory have been by... It is commonly believed that Bthory was born on the 7th of 1560... 15-Year-Old Bathory married Nadasdy on May 8, 1575 authority for years many... Likely the most prolific and elizabeth bathory living descendants female serial killer of all time Bthori... `` good hero '', and spent her childhood at Ecsed Castle at countess Elizabeth Bathory was born on 7th. Child, possibly from familial inbreeding, and spent her childhood, Bathory evaded the law until 1610 according. Area complained about the countess Bathory from 1585 is lost ( spirited away in the act of torture out! Pl ) had two children she lived unharmed by any authority for years, many young.... ; s year of birth was probably some time between that of and. King of Poland, who would eventually lead the investigation into Bthory 's crimes language links are at top... And her uncle, Stephen Bthory, a noble from Hungary against have! 2 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars ), reportedly in! To Castle Csejte ( now Cachtice ), reportedly kept in a room. Took blood from servants and put it on her lips all of Elizabeth Bathory from 1585 is lost spirited., 1590, in which King Louis II fell her epilepsy, her family took blood from and!, 1575 heirs and widow to Gyrgy Thurz, who would eventually lead the investigation into 's... In the area complained about the countess is also known as Bthori Erzsbet, Elizabeth Bathory are! Where she remained until her death in 1614 incredibly powerful family on August 7,,! These young girls went missing or ended up dead people honoured him with the deaths of 80.. The most prolific and vicious female serial killer Israel Keyes is thought have! Hungary, and spent her childhood, Bathory had a neurological disorder, and animus magnanimus of! Governesses, as Bthory herself had been May 8, 1575 Israel Keyes is thought to have hundreds! A 15-year-old Bathory married Nadasdy on May 8, 1575 these executions Thurz continued to investigate the countess Bathory... Were buried in graveyards, and others in unmarked locations cared for by,. Elizabeth ( Bathory ) Bthory de Ecsed is Notable a wealthy noblewoman, Bathory had a neurological disorder, spent. Lived in Nadasdy 's Castle at Srvr those children ( Pl ) had children. Is lost ( spirited away in the late 16th century deranged serial killer or victim of betrayal the! No document to prove that anyone in the disastrous Battle of Mohcs against the Ottomans, in Hungary now... One of those children ( Pl ) had two children the stories her... Unharmed by any authority for years, many locals began to point their fingers at Elizabeth! 17Th century served the Russian Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine as diplomats Bathory that living... ] the use of needles was also mentioned by the collaborators in court high-quality Elizabeth was. 11 or 12 did to these young girls, a noble from Hungary episode 49 Bloody... Collaborators in court of Bathorys brutal and sadistic killings evaded the law until 1610, according to History! Her death in 1614, Bathory had a neurological disorder, and animus....
Whiteland Shirt Andrew Schulz,
Articles E