Whenever people think of vampires, they think of blood, sex, possibly even Edward Cullen from Twilight. Sometimes, history comes to mind, while other times, it’s fantastical works such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire. But whatever we associate with the term, there’s no doubt that there’s an air of mystery surrounding these creatures. Whether it be to explain acts of bizarre cruelty, or to pretend to be just another character in a fable, the vampire is a monster that has garnered the attention of many. But while there are many self-proclaimed vampires, the one that sticks out is a woman who has managed to earn her place in history as one of the most despicable human beings. This woman’s name is Elizabeth Bathory.

To this day, Bathory carries the Guinness World Record of being the most prolific female serial killer. However, like any monster, she didn’t start off that way. Bathory was the daughter of a Hungarian noble family. She was raised a Protestant, and was given a good education and lifestyle. When she was 10, she became engaged to a man who had a lower social standing than she. But despite her elitism, she defended her husband’s lands, and acted on the wishes of many women, including those who were socially outcast. Though she portrayed herself as a kindhearted woman, there were rumors about her and her supposed killings. Many investigated these rumors, both priests and commoners alike, but no one found anything.

This all came to a head when some of the victims came forward. According to these witnesses, Bathory’s victims were often servant girls whose ages ranged from 10 to 14. She was reported to have lured these girls, as well as others, into her home with the promise of teaching them higher court skills. Once she did, she began torturing them, mutilating them, and burning them. Many of these sessions were carried out during family celebrations. It was also said that Bathory would take her victims’ blood and bathe in it in order to preserve her youth, which gave her the title of the first female vampire. When she was caught and later convicted, she was locked away at Cachitice Castle, where she remained until her death.

Many authors and artists have used Bathory in a plethora of their works. In Martin Kage’s Demoness, Bathory served as a reincarnation to the demon Lilith. In Raymond Rudorff’s The Dracula Archives, Bathory was featured as a vampire. In Tony Thorne’s Countess Dracula: The Life and Times of Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess, Thorne attempts to uncover the story behind the Bloody Countess, as well as the legends surrounding her story. 

The legacy that Bathory has left behind is stained in blood. Many horror enthusiasts have put her on the same level as Dracula. Bathory continues to haunt us today, and shows us an example of how far someone would go to hide their cruelties. She remains a dark stain upon humanity, where she will remain.