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Aug 7, 1560
Elizabeth Báthory is born
Elizabeth Báthory was born in Nyírbátor, Hungary to Protestant Notability (“Elizabeth Báthory"). She was educated, beautiful, wealthy, and had a high social position. Her family ruled over Transylvania and her uncle, Stephen Báthory, was the king of Poland (Cavendish). -
May 8, 1575
Báthory marries Count Ferencz Nádasdy
At age 15, Báthory married Count Ferencz Nádasdy. Nádasdy came from another powerful Hungarian family like Báthory (“Elizabeth Báthory"). As newlyweds, the couple was gifted the Castle Čachtice from Báthory's family. Nádasdy was a soilder who was often away from home. During the time he was home, Báthory was subjected to seeing lots of death as her husband schooled her in the art of torture (O’Connell). -
Báthory gives birth to four children
During her marriage with Nádasdy, Báthory bore four children. Two of these children died and one son and two daughters survived (Kettler). Though, there were rumors of her having bore a child with a lower-level lover that her husband had killed (Cavendish). -
Báthory’s husband dies
After her husband's death, Báthory's crimes began. Báthory torture young girls in many ways such as covering them in honey and leaving them to be eaten by insects (Kettler). Most sources say that Báthory killed young girls because she would drink and bathe in the blood of her victims as she believed it would keep her young (Cavendish). Because of how intimate some of her torture methods were it has been discussed how they could have been sexually charged but it is impossible to know for sure. -
Báthory is caught
On this date in 1610, a minster arrived at the Castle Čachtice to investigate the rumors of Báthory's crimes. It had spread that she had killed women of noble birth which was especially bad. Supposedly, when the minister had arrived at Báthory's home he had caught her in the middle of her torturing someone (Kettler). Pictured is one of the devices used by Báthory that was called the "Iron Virgin" which was similar to the iron maiden. -
The arrest and execution of her servants
After being caught by the minister, her servants were sent to court while Bathory didn't because of her social status. During the trial, the servants denied helping with the torture but did admit to helping with the coverup (Kettler). After this, three of the servants were sent to death while the fourth was imprisoned (“Elizabeth Báthory"). -
Báthory is put in solitary
Though Báthory was never tried, that does not mean she wasn't punished. Because of her family's power, Báthory could not be sentenced to death, so instead she was isolated in her castle (“Elizabeth Báthory”). -
Báthory dies
After 4 years of confinement, Báthory died at 54 years-old (Cavendish). Because she was never tried for her crimes, Báthory's holdings were passed down to her family instead of being taken. Though people are not sure if she committed these crimes, the evidence is definitely there.