The Bathory Family
Countess Erzsebet Bathory was born into an illustrious Hungarian family in 1560. The family's long line of royalty, warlords, noble men and noble women, and clergy allegedly began around the year 900. As legend has it, a noble warrior named Vitus conquered a dragon that lived in the swamps of Esced with three thrusts of his lance. Vitus was rewarded with the land and castle of Esced and honored with the name Bathory (Craft, 2009). The coat of arms, featuring a dragon and three teeth, honors the story of Vitus, the first ancestor of the Bathory line. However, this is only a legend.
The family originated with Andras of Rakomez, whose three nephews Gyorgy, Benedek, and Briccius were awarded Bator of Hungary by King Laszlo in 1279 (Craft, 2009). The third son, Briccius, eventually took full possession of the the land of Bator, and began referring to himself and his descendants, as Bathory which literally means of Bator (Craft, 2009). Eventually, the Bathory family divided into two distinct branches from Briccius' sons, as illustrated in the family tree below. The first line, Bathory of Somlyo, received the Somlyo land through marriage. The second branch, Ecsed, received land in Ecsed and gained prominence when Istvan Bathory III was appointed prime minister of Hungary. Istvan III was among many high ranking nobles of the Bathory family, and both branches of the Bathory line was highly involved politically, economically, and socially with royalty of Hungary. In fact, the Ecsed branch "sided with Hapsburgs who organized the election of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria as King of Hungary" (Craft, 2009, p. 6) while the Somlyo branch "supported Janos Szapolyai, who had been elected king by the majority of Hungarian nobles" (Craft, 2009, p. 6-7).
It was through the union of Erzsebet Bathory's mother and father that the Bathory branches were united again. Her father, Gyorgy Ecsed, married his Transylvanian cousin Anna Somlyo, likely for political reasons. In getting married, Gyorgy and Anna strengthened alliances in political power, provided them with land from both branches of the Bathory line, and settled them with vast estates and commodities that would lead to comfortable living well past Erzsebet's lifetime (Craft, 2009). Interestingly, this union, despite incestuous consequences, was not uncommon for noble families of this time. It was considered keeping the blood pure in the nobility. It is possible, however, that due to being the result of inbreeding, Erzsebet Bathory suffered from epilepsy and "wrathful episodes" characterized by intense fits of rage (Craft, 2009).
Erzsebet Bathory's family was highly integrated politically, as many of her uncles and cousins were either princes, kings, war generals, clergy men, and prime ministers (Craft, 2009). These political ties would benefit Erzsebet in her later life, as her nobility and highly ranked marriage, would keep her out of the eye of authorities and allow her to commit the vast amount of brutal crimes throughout her adult life.
The family originated with Andras of Rakomez, whose three nephews Gyorgy, Benedek, and Briccius were awarded Bator of Hungary by King Laszlo in 1279 (Craft, 2009). The third son, Briccius, eventually took full possession of the the land of Bator, and began referring to himself and his descendants, as Bathory which literally means of Bator (Craft, 2009). Eventually, the Bathory family divided into two distinct branches from Briccius' sons, as illustrated in the family tree below. The first line, Bathory of Somlyo, received the Somlyo land through marriage. The second branch, Ecsed, received land in Ecsed and gained prominence when Istvan Bathory III was appointed prime minister of Hungary. Istvan III was among many high ranking nobles of the Bathory family, and both branches of the Bathory line was highly involved politically, economically, and socially with royalty of Hungary. In fact, the Ecsed branch "sided with Hapsburgs who organized the election of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria as King of Hungary" (Craft, 2009, p. 6) while the Somlyo branch "supported Janos Szapolyai, who had been elected king by the majority of Hungarian nobles" (Craft, 2009, p. 6-7).
It was through the union of Erzsebet Bathory's mother and father that the Bathory branches were united again. Her father, Gyorgy Ecsed, married his Transylvanian cousin Anna Somlyo, likely for political reasons. In getting married, Gyorgy and Anna strengthened alliances in political power, provided them with land from both branches of the Bathory line, and settled them with vast estates and commodities that would lead to comfortable living well past Erzsebet's lifetime (Craft, 2009). Interestingly, this union, despite incestuous consequences, was not uncommon for noble families of this time. It was considered keeping the blood pure in the nobility. It is possible, however, that due to being the result of inbreeding, Erzsebet Bathory suffered from epilepsy and "wrathful episodes" characterized by intense fits of rage (Craft, 2009).
Erzsebet Bathory's family was highly integrated politically, as many of her uncles and cousins were either princes, kings, war generals, clergy men, and prime ministers (Craft, 2009). These political ties would benefit Erzsebet in her later life, as her nobility and highly ranked marriage, would keep her out of the eye of authorities and allow her to commit the vast amount of brutal crimes throughout her adult life.
The Early Years of Erzsebet Bathory
Erzsebet Bathory grew up in the Bathory family estate as one of five children. She was born into a time of war between Hungary and Turkey, in which Turkish invaders were pillaging surrounding lands. Furthermore, the population of Hungary was generally split between Catholicism, Protestantism, and Christianity. There were bloody battles constantly, either over religion or land, but Erzsebet Bathory lived a fairly peaceful environment due to the protection of her family.
Erzsebet was raised with Protestantism and Calvinism due to her parents' choice in that they supported the Protestant Reformation for its desire to limit the power of both Kings and the Roman Catholic Church and her mother Anna was Calvinist (Craft, 2009). However, due to all of the exposure to the many religions within her family and the diverse political standings, Erzsebet was likely well versed in both religion and politics (Craft, 2009). In addition, the 1560s were also the Early Modern/Renaissance era in Europe. Erzsebet was then educated as a noble woman in arts, sciences, theology, politics, and philosophy and was fluent in multiple languages including Hungarian, Greek, Latin, and other Slavic languages. She is known to be well read and had quite an interest in the occult, biology, and anatomy.
Her family was fairly normal for nobility. Later years hinted at rumors of insanity, brutality, sexual sadism, and Satan-worshiping in her family, but these rumors are likely only that: rumors. There is some evidence of mental and physical illness within the family, particularly epilepsy, migraines, and alcoholism, but otherwise her family was well-established and highly respected. The rumors of Satan-worshiping and sadism likely occurred as an attempted explanation for the atrocities Erzsebet would commit later in life. However, Craft (2009) implies that Erzsebet likely witnessed "brutal, public executions" of peasants, as well as the punishment for misbehaving students which was harsh, and inhuman at the time (p. 13).
As she grew up, Erzsebet was a bit of "tomboy" and quite an interesting young girl. As Craft (2009) describes:
"[Bathory] demanded to be treated as well as her male relatives and staff. She enjoyed dressing up like a boy, studying like a boy, and playing boy's games, including fencing and horsemanship. She would also throw hysterical fits when she did not get her way. She was extremely studious and mature, however, and there is no question that she was brilliant. Given her magnificent education and early marriage into one of the most prominent families in Hungary, she likely turned heads even as a child. She was also a perfectionist who equally enjoyed dressing up like a young lady, adorning herself with jewelry, playing with animals, and engaging in philosophical discussions." (p. 15).
Erzsebet was raised with Protestantism and Calvinism due to her parents' choice in that they supported the Protestant Reformation for its desire to limit the power of both Kings and the Roman Catholic Church and her mother Anna was Calvinist (Craft, 2009). However, due to all of the exposure to the many religions within her family and the diverse political standings, Erzsebet was likely well versed in both religion and politics (Craft, 2009). In addition, the 1560s were also the Early Modern/Renaissance era in Europe. Erzsebet was then educated as a noble woman in arts, sciences, theology, politics, and philosophy and was fluent in multiple languages including Hungarian, Greek, Latin, and other Slavic languages. She is known to be well read and had quite an interest in the occult, biology, and anatomy.
Her family was fairly normal for nobility. Later years hinted at rumors of insanity, brutality, sexual sadism, and Satan-worshiping in her family, but these rumors are likely only that: rumors. There is some evidence of mental and physical illness within the family, particularly epilepsy, migraines, and alcoholism, but otherwise her family was well-established and highly respected. The rumors of Satan-worshiping and sadism likely occurred as an attempted explanation for the atrocities Erzsebet would commit later in life. However, Craft (2009) implies that Erzsebet likely witnessed "brutal, public executions" of peasants, as well as the punishment for misbehaving students which was harsh, and inhuman at the time (p. 13).
As she grew up, Erzsebet was a bit of "tomboy" and quite an interesting young girl. As Craft (2009) describes:
"[Bathory] demanded to be treated as well as her male relatives and staff. She enjoyed dressing up like a boy, studying like a boy, and playing boy's games, including fencing and horsemanship. She would also throw hysterical fits when she did not get her way. She was extremely studious and mature, however, and there is no question that she was brilliant. Given her magnificent education and early marriage into one of the most prominent families in Hungary, she likely turned heads even as a child. She was also a perfectionist who equally enjoyed dressing up like a young lady, adorning herself with jewelry, playing with animals, and engaging in philosophical discussions." (p. 15).
The Wife, Mother, and Widow
Like most young girls of her time, Erzsebet was put into an arranged marriage by her parents and the parents of her future husband, Ferenc Nadasdy, when she was twelve years old and he was seventeen years old. Due to the engagement, Erzsebet was moved to her fiance's castle to be brought up under his mother Orsolya Nadasdy's guidance. Ferenc Nadasdy was often away receiving military training like his father while Erzsebet lived on his family estate and continued her education, particularly in fiance and managing the estates, a job she would take over considerably when she and Ferenc were officially married and he was away at war (Craft, 2009). The marriage took place in 1575; Erzsebet was fourteen and Ferenc was nineteen, typical ages for marriage in this era.
Interestingly, there is a rumor of an affair Erzsebet participated in before her marriage to Ferenc. While there are church records of her reporting the affair was not consensual, this may be false. Either way, it is known that there was a strain on Ferenc and Erzsebet's marriage, either due to Ferenc constantly being away and likely an alcoholic, the two young couples not particularly caring for each other, or an affair (Craft, 2009). However, the marriage between Ferenc and Erzsebet paid off greatly for Erzsebet's station as a noble woman. Between the vast amount of wealth, land, and estates, Erzsebet and Ferenc were very wealthy and highly respected in Hungary (Craft, 2009). The wealth only continued when Ferenc set out as a young warlord when Turkish raids began reoccurring across the country side. Through his extensive military training, he was ideal for the role of Captain of the Hungarian Army, and later became known as the "Black Knight of Hungary" (Craft, 2009, p. 39). He would then spend the rest of his life leading battles against the Turks while Erzsebet traveled between their many estates, managing the profits from war and their combined inheritance.
Nearly ten years after their marriage, Erzsebet and Ferenc began to have children. Their first daughter, Anna, was born around 1585, and was followed by two more girls, Orsolya (Orsika) born around 1590, and Katalin born around the year 1594. Erzsebet also bore two sons: Andras in 1596 and Pal in 1598. Unfortunately, Orsika was to die of "mouth rot" at a young age and Andras also passed away in 1603 (Craft, 2009, p. 51). Her three surviving children, Anna, Katalin, and Pal would inherit the estates and wealth from Erzsebet in her last will and testament.
Erzsebet was widowed when Ferenc took ill while away on the battle fields in 1604 (Craft, 2009). Before his death he wrote to friends in political power, particularly Gyorgy Thurzo the prime minister of Hungary and the one to eventually convict Erzsebet for her crimes, seeking protection for Erzsebet and his children regarding his estate and wealth. Interestingly, Erzsebet had likely begun killing servant girls while Ferenc was alive, had likely even learned some of her torture methods from the warlord himself. A few authorities in the ministry had become suspicious of all of the dead girls turning up in Erzsebet's castle, but Ferenc likely appeased them with money, entitlement, or threats. Erzsebet continued this way for years until Ferenc's death in 1604.
However, the death of Ferenc seemed to have little effect on Erzsebet. She had quickly taken over all of the estates and continued to run them smoothly. The only aspect of her day to day life that seemed to change was the rapid increase in the amount of young girls she (and her servant accomplices Anna Darvolya, Janos Ujvary (Ficzko), Ilona (Helena) Jo, and Dorottya Szentes, and Katalin Benenczky) tortured, mutilated, and murdered. It appears that Ferenc would partake in the torturing of these girls while he was alive but did not approve of actually killing the girls (Craft, 2009). It was after his death in 1604 that the deaths escalated, eventually leading to a rapid, spiraling out of control that made Erzsebet sloppy and eventually, quiet easy to uncover, convict, and sentence.
The details of her crimes, sentencing, and finally her death, are describe in more detail in Crimes.
Interestingly, there is a rumor of an affair Erzsebet participated in before her marriage to Ferenc. While there are church records of her reporting the affair was not consensual, this may be false. Either way, it is known that there was a strain on Ferenc and Erzsebet's marriage, either due to Ferenc constantly being away and likely an alcoholic, the two young couples not particularly caring for each other, or an affair (Craft, 2009). However, the marriage between Ferenc and Erzsebet paid off greatly for Erzsebet's station as a noble woman. Between the vast amount of wealth, land, and estates, Erzsebet and Ferenc were very wealthy and highly respected in Hungary (Craft, 2009). The wealth only continued when Ferenc set out as a young warlord when Turkish raids began reoccurring across the country side. Through his extensive military training, he was ideal for the role of Captain of the Hungarian Army, and later became known as the "Black Knight of Hungary" (Craft, 2009, p. 39). He would then spend the rest of his life leading battles against the Turks while Erzsebet traveled between their many estates, managing the profits from war and their combined inheritance.
Nearly ten years after their marriage, Erzsebet and Ferenc began to have children. Their first daughter, Anna, was born around 1585, and was followed by two more girls, Orsolya (Orsika) born around 1590, and Katalin born around the year 1594. Erzsebet also bore two sons: Andras in 1596 and Pal in 1598. Unfortunately, Orsika was to die of "mouth rot" at a young age and Andras also passed away in 1603 (Craft, 2009, p. 51). Her three surviving children, Anna, Katalin, and Pal would inherit the estates and wealth from Erzsebet in her last will and testament.
Erzsebet was widowed when Ferenc took ill while away on the battle fields in 1604 (Craft, 2009). Before his death he wrote to friends in political power, particularly Gyorgy Thurzo the prime minister of Hungary and the one to eventually convict Erzsebet for her crimes, seeking protection for Erzsebet and his children regarding his estate and wealth. Interestingly, Erzsebet had likely begun killing servant girls while Ferenc was alive, had likely even learned some of her torture methods from the warlord himself. A few authorities in the ministry had become suspicious of all of the dead girls turning up in Erzsebet's castle, but Ferenc likely appeased them with money, entitlement, or threats. Erzsebet continued this way for years until Ferenc's death in 1604.
However, the death of Ferenc seemed to have little effect on Erzsebet. She had quickly taken over all of the estates and continued to run them smoothly. The only aspect of her day to day life that seemed to change was the rapid increase in the amount of young girls she (and her servant accomplices Anna Darvolya, Janos Ujvary (Ficzko), Ilona (Helena) Jo, and Dorottya Szentes, and Katalin Benenczky) tortured, mutilated, and murdered. It appears that Ferenc would partake in the torturing of these girls while he was alive but did not approve of actually killing the girls (Craft, 2009). It was after his death in 1604 that the deaths escalated, eventually leading to a rapid, spiraling out of control that made Erzsebet sloppy and eventually, quiet easy to uncover, convict, and sentence.
The details of her crimes, sentencing, and finally her death, are describe in more detail in Crimes.