In 1560 in the town of Nyírbátor, Hungary a girl was born to parents that were with in the same blood line. Possibly a normal occurrence for the times but this young girl would become something extremely different to most of those born in the same time. This may have been the reason that poor young Elizabeth Bathory traveled the dark and ghastly path that she chose.At the tender age of eleven Elizabeth was engaged and moved to her fiance's castle. She then quickly took on a peasant lover and was soon pregnant. Although this may sound cold it was probably God’s doing that resulted in the Bathroy’s child being a stillborn.
This outcome would result in the immediate end of the engagement, but only a few years later at 15, Elizabeth would marry and receive her husband’s castle, Čachtice Castle, where she would take care of things while he was away as the head of the Hungarian troops. Being both a brave and cruel commander, the Turks gave Nádasdy the name of “Black Beg”.
But this tale has little to do with the commander of the Hungarian army. No his work (war) was scene as necessary. This has more to do with the past-time that Bathroy would take up to fill the time while her husband was consumed by war.
In those early years young peasant girls would be sent to the royal families castle’s to receive etiquette training. The Cachtice castle was no different in this respect. Bathroy began the stories by taking one of her female servants as a lesbian lover. But when girls in growing numbers were said to be missing by their families there was concern that something was strange and different with the Cachtice manor.
When bodies of young women were discovered outside of the castle walls questions were raised and villagers became concerned. Grave concern began when the bodies provided evidence that they were not only murdered but brutally tortured as well.
It seems that Bathroy was enjoying the company of the young women that seeked training at her hand. What they received in return was repeated beatings and torture. With her four accomplices Bathroy would mutilate and burn the hands, feet, faces and genitalia. A myth that she was a vampire began after witness stated that she would remove the flesh from her victims with her teeth. This act of brutality was later confirmed when investigating teeth marks and wounds found on the victims. Other methods included torture and then being left in the snow to freeze to death.
After she was caught her accomplices were all punished by death. Two were killed immediately by having their fingers pulled out and then burned alive. The fourth was considered “less” guilty then the others and was beheaded before sent to the flames. Even after being convicted of torture and murder of more then 100 (approx. number; they never knew the exact death count) women, Bathroy was sentenced to house arrest for the rest of her life in honour of her royalty.
Supposedly her ghost is still lurking about in the shadows in the Castle Čachtice. If you are to visit the castle in Slovakia you may still hear the peasant girls screaming for mercy.
But this tale has little to do with the commander of the Hungarian army. No his work (war) was scene as necessary. This has more to do with the past-time that Bathroy would take up to fill the time while her husband was consumed by war.
In those early years young peasant girls would be sent to the royal families castle’s to receive etiquette training. The Cachtice castle was no different in this respect. Bathroy began the stories by taking one of her female servants as a lesbian lover. But when girls in growing numbers were said to be missing by their families there was concern that something was strange and different with the Cachtice manor.
When bodies of young women were discovered outside of the castle walls questions were raised and villagers became concerned. Grave concern began when the bodies provided evidence that they were not only murdered but brutally tortured as well.
It seems that Bathroy was enjoying the company of the young women that seeked training at her hand. What they received in return was repeated beatings and torture. With her four accomplices Bathroy would mutilate and burn the hands, feet, faces and genitalia. A myth that she was a vampire began after witness stated that she would remove the flesh from her victims with her teeth. This act of brutality was later confirmed when investigating teeth marks and wounds found on the victims. Other methods included torture and then being left in the snow to freeze to death.
After she was caught her accomplices were all punished by death. Two were killed immediately by having their fingers pulled out and then burned alive. The fourth was considered “less” guilty then the others and was beheaded before sent to the flames. Even after being convicted of torture and murder of more then 100 (approx. number; they never knew the exact death count) women, Bathroy was sentenced to house arrest for the rest of her life in honour of her royalty.
Supposedly her ghost is still lurking about in the shadows in the Castle Čachtice. If you are to visit the castle in Slovakia you may still hear the peasant girls screaming for mercy.
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