The story revolves around Elizabeth Bathory, a 16th-century Hungarian countess known for her alleged cruelty and vampirism. She was born into a wealthy Transylvanian family and married at 15. After her husband's death in 1604, she was left alone with a huge fortune. However, according to popular stories, this is when her brutal period began, and she started bathing in virgin blood to maintain her youthful appearance.
The legend states that she founded an academy for young ladies, where she tortured and killed many girls, and that she was eventually arrested and sentenced to lifelong imprisonment in her chamber. However, the narrator disputes this story, suggesting that it was fabricated by the Habsburgs to confiscate her property and prevent her from forming an alliance with Gábor Báthory, the prince of Transylvania.
The narrator presents evidence that Elizabeth was not convicted, and she was under house arrest but could move around the castle freely. The testimonies against her were coerced, and the diary supposedly written by her was likely fabricated. The story of Elizabeth Bathory was later inflated and distorted by a Hungarian Jesuit in the 18th century to serve as a warning to Catholics about the dangers of changing faith.
The narrator concludes that Elizabeth Bathory's image was completely changed by historical policy, and her story serves as an example of how politics and money can rule the world and memory.
1. Elizabeth Bathory was born on August 7, 1560.
2. She was a member of the wealthy Transylvanian Batory family.
3. Elizabeth's uncle was King Stefan Batory.
4. The Batory family practiced marriages between closely related people.
5. Elizabeth saw executions of peasants or servants as a child, including one at the age of 6.
6. At 15, Elizabeth married Ferenc Nádasdy, and they had several children together.
7. Elizabeth's husband died in 1604, and she inherited his fortune.
8. After her husband's death, Elizabeth took up residence in her castle in Čachtice, Slovakia.
9. She was arrested in 1610 by the Hungarian palatine, who was loyal to the Habsburgs.
10. Elizabeth was never convicted of any crimes, but she was put under house arrest.
11. She died at the age of 54 in 1614, possibly by murder.
12. Elizabeth left her enormous wealth to her children in her will.
13. Her children were later accused of treason, and their fortune was confiscated by the Habsburgs.