The Enduring Legend of Elizabeth Bathory
A new look at the most prolific female serial killer in history.
The year is 1532.
A woman stands in front of a jury of men. The jury is rigged against her. She knows this, but holds her head high anyways.
She stands accused of adultery. No. Not only adultery. Adultery with several men, including her own brother. It’s not a charge, but witchcraft is implied.
The woman will go down as one of the most screwed over queens in English history.
We’ve all heard the story of Anne Boleyn.
But let me set up another story. One of a woman who was only three years old when Anne Boleyn was executed.
We remember her as the countess who bathed in the blood of her female servants to retain her youth. Even, sometimes, drinking it.
She tortured and murdered up to 650 people and buried them in a mass grave near her castle. No one dared speak against a woman of such high status and power. She went on to inspire Dracula and eventually several cheap Halloween costumes. She’s become a classic “goth girl” icon. She’s won the Guinness World Record for the most prolific female serial killer.
