Bathory → News → Results: Guilty – Innocent, Victim or Murderess

Erzsebet Bathory indeed made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the greatest murderess of all times who, over her years (i.e. 1560 – 1614), killed over 650 people, mostly young girls.

The stories of her cruel deeds were circulating even outside Hungary’s borders. She was caught in the act of murder by Palatine Thurzo; her adversaries testified to their terrifying crimes, above all bathing in virgins‘ blood to keep the Countess’s youth eternal. There are records of Erzsebet’s sudden aging once she was locked up in the tower of her castle with no supply of fresh blood.

These are facts that support the notion of her guilt.

However, other facts exist that are clearly in her favor. One can’t bathe in blood for it clots. Erzsebet’s helpers pleaded guilty after torture and were immediately executed; Erzsebet was denied to stand in court and she was never convicted of any crimes. On the other hand Palatine Thurzo strived to take over her immense property and he was probably the one who ensured her swift imprisonment in her castle.

These are two options that viewers could vote about: was Erzsebet a victim or a murderess? The vote took place on www.zena.centrum.cz/bathory between 15 July 2008 and 31 October 2008. Jakubisko Film as a company committed itself to submit an official request for her removal from the Guinness Book of World Records, should she be voted innocent by the majority of voters.

Ultimately, no official request was necessary. Erzsebet Bathory is believed to be guilty of the crimes ascribed to her by 51 % of voters as opposed to the 48 % convinced of her innocence.

These numbers are interesting in light of the fact that before Bathory was released, nearly everyone was convinced of the blood legend. Juraj Jakubisko’s daring angle based on historical facts and supported by many primary sources has at the very least caused great disputes among the general public.