Introduction
Elisabeth Báthory, also known as the “Blood Countess,” is one of history’s most infamous female serial killers. She was a Hungarian noblewoman accused of torturing and murdering hundreds of young girls between 1590 and 1610. Over the centuries, her story has been surrounded by myths, including the claim that she bathed in the blood of virgins to maintain her youth. However, separating fact from legend is challenging. This article examines the real evidence of her crimes based on historical records and eyewitness testimonies.
The Investigation and Arrest
The evidence against Báthory emerged from a formal investigation ordered by King Matthias II of Hungary. In 1610, György Thurzó, the Palatine of Hungary, led the investigation into allegations of mass murder at Báthory’s castle in Csejte (now Čachtice, Slovakia). Upon arrival at her estate, Thurzó and his men reportedly discovered young women in various states of distress—some dead, others severely wounded, and several imprisoned. This discovery, though dramatic, remains debated due to the lack of firsthand documentation from independent sources.
Eyewitness Testimonies
During the trial, over 300 witnesses provided testimonies against Báthory. The statements included horrifying accounts of torture methods, such as:
- Beatings and mutilations
- Burning with hot irons
- Needle stabbing under fingernails
- Starvation and exposure to extreme cold
- Biting and tearing flesh from victims
Notably, many of these testimonies came from servants and villagers, raising questions about potential coercion. However, testimonies from nobility and court officials strengthened the case against her.
Physical Evidence
Apart from testimonies, there were reports of physical evidence, including:
- Corpses and skeletal remains found at the castle and surrounding grounds.
- Bloodstains and signs of struggle in chambers allegedly used for torture.
The Confessions of Her Accomplices
Two trials were held following Elisabeth Báthory’s arrest: the first on 2 January 1611 and the second on 7 January 1611. During the first trial, seventeen witnesses testified, including four of Báthory’s closest servants, who were also accused of aiding in her crimes. However, before the proceedings, these servants had been subjected to torture, which casts doubt on the reliability of their confessions. Under duress, they admitted to carrying out murders on Báthory’s orders.
After the trial, the accused servants were swiftly executed. Ilona Jó and Dorottya Szentes suffered a gruesome fate—their fingers were torn out with red-hot pincers before they were burned alive. János Újváry, due to his youth and perceived lesser culpability, was granted a less agonizing death by beheading, though his body was later burned alongside Jó and Szentes. Another servant, Erzsi Majorova, initially escaped but was later captured and burned alive. Katarína Benická, who was found to have been abused by the others, was sentenced to life in prison..
Was Báthory Framed?
Some historians argue that Elisabeth Báthory was the victim of a political conspiracy rather than a genuine serial killer. The accusations of murder were largely based on rumors, with no official complaints documented against her before the investigation. During this period, even minor grievances—such as the theft of a chicken—were commonly reported in writing, yet no such letters exist regarding Báthory’s alleged crimes.
Although over 300 witnesses testified against her, none were direct victims or actual eyewitnesses of the torture. Instead, the testimonies largely consisted of secondhand accounts and hearsay, often from individuals who may have been pressured or influenced by the authorities.
One of the most shocking claims was that Báthory had killed 650 girls. However, this number originated from a single claim by a servant named Susannah, who alleged that Jakab Szilvássy, Báthory’s court official, had once seen the figure recorded in one of Báthory’s private books. This supposed book was never presented as evidence, and Szilvássy himself never mentioned it in his testimony.
Given these inconsistencies and the lack of concrete evidence, some historians believe Báthory’s trial was politically motivated. As a wealthy and influential widow, she was a potential threat to noble families, particularly the Habsburgs. Her arrest conveniently allowed the redistribution of her vast estates while eliminating a powerful independent noblewoman..
Sources:
László Nagy: A rossz hirü Báthoryak. Kossuth Könyvkiadó, Budapest 1984
Bonnie Zimmerman: Daughters of Darkness – Lesbian vampires. In: Jump Cut, no. 24–25, March 1981, S. 23–24
