Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory remains, with 650 victims the most prolific serial killer in human history.

The original portrait of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory from 1585 is lost (spirited away in the 1990s). However, this is a fairly contemporary copy of that original, probably painted in the late 16th century. She was 25 when the original portrait the only known image of her was painted. photo: wikipedia.org

The highest number of victims cited during Báthory's trial was 650. However, this number comes from the claim by a serving girl named Susannah that Jakab Szilvássy, Countess Báthory's court official, had seen the figure in one of Báthory's private books. The book was never revealed, and Szilvássy never mentioned it in his testimony. 


Countess Erzsebet Bathory allday.com

In a period in which torture and violence were practices deeply rooted in people's consciousness and demonic creatures and superstitions were part of life everyday, the woman of noble rank would shock the whole of Europe and to give birth to the darkest fantasies the human mind.

A macabre discovery

During Christmas of 1609, a series of rumors regarding the disappearance of young noble origin who had been seized in the castle Csejtei (Cachtice) on the territory of the former Kingdom of Hungary (now in Slovakia) and forced the king Mathias II century Hungarian soldiers to send a group to investigate the mysterious source suppositions.

Čachtice Castle Credit: wikipedia

What they discover is so shocking that, witnesses said, could not be rendered in writing.

According to data recorded at the famous trial later joined by the village priest king's soldiers nearby, hidden by the darkness of night, trying patrundurea in massive castle located on a hilltop in order to capture any illegal activity. I find, however, the doors open as if it were invited to enter, while everyone inside was immersed in a total darkness that their torches barely managed to disperse.

Evidence macabre begin to appear immediately after they enter the hall of the castle, where, on slabs of stone found partially clothed body of a young woman surrounded by several cats. It mentions that this young priest multiple bites and was pale as if they were devoid of blood

Only a few steps away, the soldiers discovered the body of another woman who bites this same steps, but was still alive. And realizing that it had lost a lot of blood and would not have survived to return to the village, they decide to abandon and to continue their research.

A third victim was found tied to a pole, bearing traces of severe torture. It was clear that whatever happens to these young was related to a demonic cult rituals that provide crowned with bloody human sacrifices.

The noises coming from the basement of the castle appeal to soldiers, advancing to light torches, find a real prison full of young women and children ready for these executions ritual. King frees people before the latest discovery, one that was considered too monstrous to be mentioned in the trial.

Few witness accounts speak of a hall sacrifices that had been an orgy during which many young had been tortured, mutilated and killed in the most horrible way possible.

Although some participants had managed to escape the monstrous spectacle that night, soldiers arrested three female employees castle with a young dwarf named Ficzko. Besides these Countess Erzsebet Bathory is restrained and, the castle owner, who, thanks to high rank, is taken over by the army, but is allowed to stay in the castle during research.

Terror trial

The process that took place on January 7, 1611 at Bicse (in Slovakia today) will go down in history as one of the most resounding through the large number of casualties but the atrocities brought to light.

Countess Elizabeth Bathory photo: weheartit.com
Theodosious Syrmiensis of Szulo judge of the Royal Court, along with 20 other judges will hear three hundred witnesses, absolutely all testimonials showing one guilty Countess Erzsebet Bathory (Elizabeth Bathory or). Paradoxically, this did not attend his own trial, in a futile attempt to prevent the spread of a scandal in the family Bathory (one of the most powerful noble families in Hungary). 

But revelations was too shocking to be hidden, even in a society that defends frantically aristocracy. Born in 1560 to parents of noble origin (his father, George Bathory, the brother of Andrey Bathory, Prince of Transylvania, while his mother, Anna Bathory, was the daughter of Istvan Bathory, another of Transylvania. All through his mother his niece Elizabeth Stepan Batory, king of Poland) Elizabeth Bathory enjoys an educated, fluent in four languages, so in a time when many nobles did not even know to read or write. It is also recognized as one of the most beautiful women of her era, black hair and white skin became particularly amorous subject of much drama.

However, although he was part of a noble family, Elizabeth was not able to enjoy a happy childhood. From an early age, apparently suffered from uncontrolled outbursts which some close they considered manifestations of epilepsy. Moreover, many family members Bathory suffered from deviations (Aunt Elizabeth, a lady of the court of King Mathias II had been repudiated for witchcraft and lesbianism, his uncle was recognized as alchemist and worshiper of the devil while his brother, he was accused of killing more children). Moreover, even his childhood nanny, one of those arrested in 1610, was known as witches and black magic practitioner.

At only 11 years is engaged to Ferenc Nadasdy, one of the most cruel commanders in the Hungarian army, famous for its atrocities against the Turks, who had to attract the nickname Cara Beg (The Dark Knight). The marriage takes place four years later, not only will last decade due Nadasdy's murder, most likely in one of his many amorous escapades.

With his death, the Countess deviant behavior becomes apparent. Besides the many relationships they had with men and even with his aunt, its employees confess that Elizabeth Bathory had become obsessed with their beauty, their clothes schimdandu six times per day and spending hours in front of the mirror. It even ordered her a special mirror, fitted with edges that Countess their arms to rest when tired.

photo: pinterest

Moreover, witnesses tell of obsession Countess on treatments that would have given life and eternal youth.

It says that while that slapped one of the maids, a few drops of blood had got on Elizabeth skin leaving it feeling its skin and was rejuvenated and became much finer. From here to the massacres that followed was just one step. One by one, all young women from nearby villages was brought to the castle, under the pretext of employment, none of them are ever-nemaintorcandu.

Evidence gathered during the trial clearly demonstrated that Elizabeth used to torture them personally many of the victims, all the time discovering new methods of torture, which more or less macabre. Testimonies of witnesses, the young blood would be used in various cosmetic treatments designed to rejuvenate, while also practicing cannibalism.

Countess is even gather a suite made up of obscure characters, most of the practitioners of black magic and human sacrifice, which they could apply without fear under the guidance thereof. Such treatments were not successful, relatives of Elizabeth I advise using a young noble origin instead of the villages, which will lead to the discovery and Castle Cachtice.Imuni horrors of the complaints of peasants who signaled for over 20 years atrocities countess Hungarian nobles decide to act when Elizabeth Bathory announce the death of more girls coming noble castle or learn good manners. It motivates their death by natural causes or suicide, arguments not convince the aristocrats who ask the king to order the raid in 1609.

Although it is accused of 80 crimes, Elizabeth Bathory is deemed innocent, claiming he is the victim of a inscenari.Cu However, during the trial that reported a personal diary of the Countess would have been about 650 murders thoroughly described. The three maids arrested are sentenced to death and executed by firing immediately after, in advance, their fingers had been twisted with pliers red hot. Given his young age of only 16 years, it is the first dwarf Ficzko decapitated before being thrown into the fire with three collaborators of Countess.

Because of its links blood and relationships-placed, Elizabeth does not receive capital punishment, instead he is imprisoned in his own castle where are built all doors and windows, not left only a few openings for ventilation and a small hole in the wall through it receive food.

Three and a half years later, on 21 August 1614, Countess of Bathory is found dead, lying on the floor after, previously refused to eat.

Death Countess had no gift to appease spirits,  legends woven around it is the source of many horror stories over time. It seems that the very Bram Stoker, author of the famous novel Dracula had her as a model of inspiration when they described the behavior binecuscutului or vampire theory inspired by the fact that there is no evidence according to which Vlad Tepes as drinking the blood of victims.

Over all, Countess Elizabeth Bathory remains, with 650 victims unofficial most prolific serial killer in human history.

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