Podcast Summary: "You're Wrong About" – Episode on Elizabeth Báthory with Princess Weeks
Release Date: November 6, 2024
Host: Sarah Marshall
Guest: Princess Weeks
Introduction: Debunking the Countess of Blood
In the November 6, 2024 episode of "You're Wrong About", host Sarah Marshall delves into the dark legend of Elizabeth Báthory, often dubbed the world's most prolific female serial killer. Joined by historian and YouTuber Princess Weeks, the episode seeks to disentangle historical facts from the sensational myths that have surrounded Báthory for centuries.
Sarah Marshall [00:01]: "If she couldn't have a young boyfriend, that's why she went. I was like, guys, we have to do better."
Historical Background: Elizabeth Báthory’s Rise to Power
Elizabeth Báthory was born on August 17, 1560, into the wealthy and influential Báthory family in the Kingdom of Hungary. Her familial ties included the Polish king Stephen Báthory and her nephew Gabor Báthory, the ruler of Transylvania. After marrying Count Ferenc Nádasdy at the age of 14, Elizabeth managed extensive estates due to her husband's frequent military engagements against the Ottomans.
Princess Weeks [15:33]: "Elizabeth Bathory was born to a very wealthy family in the Kingdom of Hungary, connected to significant noble figures like her nephew, Gabor Bathory."
The political landscape of Hungary during this period was tumultuous, divided among Upper Hungary under Habsburg rule, Ottoman-occupied central Hungary, and the semi-autonomous eastern region, including Transylvania. These divisions set the stage for power struggles that would eventually implicate Báthory.
Witch Trials and Political Context
Princess Weeks provides essential context by discussing the prevalence of witch trials in Hungary between 1213 and 1800, highlighting the societal tensions that often fueled accusations against nobles like Báthory. The Department of Folk Beliefs and Customs at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences uncovered over 2,000 witch trials, resulting in at least 848 executions for witchcraft.
Princess Weeks [07:28]: "They found in their research at a minimum of 4,592 accused witches were brought to trial in the Kingdom of Hungary between 1213 and 1800."
These trials were frequently motivated by political and economic factors, with accusations serving as tools for internal power struggles among the nobility. Báthory, as a prominent landowner, became a convenient target amidst these machinations.
Accusations Against Elizabeth Báthory: Separating Fact from Fiction
The core of the episode examines the allegations that Elizabeth Báthory tortured and killed hundreds of girls to bathe in their blood, an act believed to preserve her youth and beauty. However, both Sarah Marshall and Princess Weeks cast significant doubt on these claims.
Sarah Marshall [05:28]: "They would have B-roll of like a hot woman shot in sort of blurry close ups, bathing in something red."
Princess Weeks underscores that many of these violent allegations emerged more than a century after Báthory's death, lacking contemporary evidence or documented testimonies from her time.
Princess Weeks [51:02]: "There were no alleged reports of blood bathing. It didn’t happen until, like, the 1700s, when some scholars wrote the first written account of the Bathory case and then mention the bloodbaths."
The only documented accusations during her lifetime involved the deaths of approximately 30 to 50 serfs, which, while heinous, are far less sensational than the later myths suggest. Her supposed victim count of 650 originates from unreliable sources introduced long after her demise.
Princess Weeks [53:54]: "It's just that the idea that she's traveling with, like, two, three corpses. Just, like, hanging out with her, going to the funeral."
Torture Methods: Reality vs. Legend
Both hosts discuss the gruesome torture methods attributed to Báthory, noting that many of these descriptions bear resemblance to broader European folklore and anti-Ottoman propaganda rather than being specific to her actions. Historical torture devices like the rack, thumbscrews, and iron collars are mentioned, but the fantastical elements—such as being smeared with honey or left to be bitten by insects—lack verifiable evidence.
Sarah Marshall [30:50]: "The chief torturer would begin by displaying the instruments of torture to the subject, who would have been stripped naked and restrained."
These embellished accounts likely served to amplify her fearsome reputation, aligning her story with existing narratives of female monstrosity found in legends and fairy tales.
Political Motivations and Legal Proceedings
The investigation into Báthory’s alleged crimes was spearheaded by Gregory Thurzo, the Palatine of Hungary, who had political conflicts with other members of the Báthory family. Princess Weeks suggests that the accusations may have been politically motivated, aimed at undermining her power and influence.
Princess Weeks [56:02]: "Throughout all of this, she was arrested and basically kept in house arrest the entire time. And her servants were convicted and killed and executed for this, of course, but she was never convicted of anything."
Despite the numerous accusations, Elizabeth Báthory was never formally convicted of the mass murders attributed to her. Instead, she endured a form of political exile, spending her final years in relative confinement without facing the full brunt of legal repercussions.
Myth vs. Reality: The Legacy of Elizabeth Báthory
The episode critically examines how Elizabeth Báthory's image has been distorted over time, transforming her into a legendary vampire figure in modern media, detached from historical accuracy. This mythologization serves various cultural and gendered narratives, reinforcing stereotypes of powerful women as inherently dangerous.
Princess Weeks [62:03]: "There's just, there's no actually evidence that things are as intense as they want them to be."
Sarah Marshall reflects on the patriarchal underpinnings of Báthory’s legend, questioning why such exaggerated cruelty was necessary to depict a powerful woman as malevolent.
Sarah Marshall [64:43]: "It's a very patriarchal idea that women will kill absolutely everyone just to keep looking young."
Contemporary Reinterpretations and Reclaiming History
Both hosts advocate for a more nuanced understanding of Elizabeth Báthory, urging listeners to differentiate between historical facts and centuries-old myths. They highlight the importance of critically evaluating sources and recognizing the cultural biases that have shaped Báthory’s enduring legend.
Princess Weeks [63:48]: "Maybe she was just a sadist, and that sucks. But it is interesting to research a character or figure like this and realize how few sources actually exist that we have absorbed that are based on the truth."
Sarah Marshall concludes by emphasizing the value of uncovering the real person behind the legend, allowing for a more accurate and empathetic historical perspective.
Sarah Marshall [65:26]: "It's so unlikely that you're gonna just become an unhinged murderer because of aging. Almost everybody just figures out a way to deal with it, and I think that's really nice."
Conclusion: Reassessing Historical Narratives
The episode wraps up with reflections on how legends like Elizabeth Báthory's persist due to compelling imagery and cultural narratives, often overshadowing the factual complexities of historical figures. By challenging these myths, Sarah Marshall and Princess Weeks encourage a reexamination of how history is remembered and represented.
Princess Weeks [67:21]: "We can make Castlevania nocturn antagonist with that. But if you turn her into, like this vampire werewolf, you know, driven by beauty, that's something that people can understand, quote unquote."
Ultimately, the discussion underscores the necessity of critical historical inquiry and the willingness to question long-held beliefs, fostering a more informed and balanced view of the past.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Sarah Marshall [07:07]: "History is always an attempt...because if there was just like a single version of history to learn, then we would all learn the same thing and it wouldn't be the strange adventure that it always is."
- Princess Weeks [15:58]: "Elizabeth Bathory was born to a very wealthy family in the Kingdom of Hungary, connected to significant noble figures like her nephew, Gabor Bathory."
- Sarah Marshall [05:28]: "They would have B-roll of like a hot woman shot in sort of blurry close ups, bathing in something red."
- Princess Weeks [53:54]: "It's just the idea that she's traveling with, like, two, three corpses. Just, like, hanging out with her, going to the funeral."
Additional Resources and Guest Information
Princess Weeks shared her ongoing projects and where listeners can find more of her work, including her YouTube channel and her role as a co-host on the PBS Books Readers Club. The hosts also promoted upcoming bonus episodes and live shows, encouraging listeners to engage further with the content.
Princess Weeks [68:09]: "I've been doing my YouTube... co-host on the PBS Books Readers Club, which has been a lot of fun."
This episode of "You're Wrong About" provides a critical and insightful examination of Elizabeth Báthory's historical persona, challenging listeners to reconsider the narratives that have shaped her infamous legacy. By blending scholarly analysis with engaging dialogue, Sarah Marshall and Princess Weeks offer a compelling reassessment of one of history's most notorious figures.