Podcasts about blood countess

Did the legend of Elizabeth Bathory survive because of truth… or misinformation?Author Shelley Puhak joins Speaking of Writers to discuss The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster, a fascinating new biography exploring the real story behind one of history's most feared women.Listen now on Spotify.#ShelleyPuhak #TheBloodCountess #SpeakingOfWriters #HistoricalBiography #HistoryPodcast #AuthorInterview #ElizabethBathory #BookLovers #TrueCrimeHistory #WomenInHistory #SpotifyPodcasts #SteveRichards

Germinating for years online and now exploding into cinemas, is liminal horror the new mainstream trend? Dealing in the uncanny and the unknowable, liminal horror breaks down the very fabric of human identity. We take a look at Backrooms and other recent examples of liminal horror and we also take a look at the deep cinematic roots of the mysterious, surreal and transitional.Includes discussions of The Strangers - Chapter 3 (2026), The Blood Countess (2026), Last Year at Marienbad (1961), Possibly in Michigan (1983), The Black Tower (1987), Marebito (2004), This House Has People In It (2011), The Oldest View (2023), Exit 8 (2025), Backrooms (2026) and more.Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.Contact us at crystal@spookybitchgang.com and scott@spookybitchgang.com.

Introducción por Darío Lavia 00:00Acto I: Vampiros y cine de horror por Darío Lavia 01:31Interludio I: "Vampiros, hombres lobo y necrófilos" de Raymond T. McNally 04:24Interludio II: "El hijo de Drácula" por John T. Soister 09:02Acto II: Films de Vampiros durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial 12:04Acto III: Conclusión 18:32Fuentes: Raymond McNally "Dracula Was a Woman: In Search of the Blood Countess of Transylvania" (Arrow Books, 1983)John T. Soister, "Universal '40s Monsters: A Critical Commentary" (BearManor Books, 2021)VVAA, "Recovering 1940s Horror Cinema: Traces of a Lost Decade" (Lexington Books, 2014)Texto de introducción: Payada con Juan Sin Ropa por José Larralde"Universal '40s Monsters: A Critical Commentary"ImdbWeb de Cineficción

Director Ulrike Ottinger returns to the Berlinale with “Die Blutgräfin.” Isabelle Huppert plays the legendary Elisabeth Báthory, who reappears in today's Vienna. The result is an opulent vampire film between myth, story and fantasy — full of excess, grotesque humor and artistic images. The dialogues are by Elfriede Jelinek, among others, and Lars Eidinger is also part of the ensemble. - Mit „Die Blutgräfin“ kehrt die Regisseurin Ulrike Ottinger auf die Berlinale zurück. Isabelle Huppert verkörpert die legendäre Elisabeth Báthory, die im heutigen Wien wieder auftaucht. Entstanden ist ein opulenter Vampirfilm zwischen Mythos, Geschichte und Fantasie – voller Exzess, groteskem Humor und kunstvoller Bilder. Die Dialoge stammen unter anderem von Elfriede Jelinek, auch Lars Eidinger gehört zum Ensemble.

We're sinking our teeth into all things vampires. Their dark, blood-soaked origins, the spooky, seductive legends and people who truly believe they are vampires. We explore how ancient fears, bizarre medical mysteries, and real historical events shaped the vampire lore we know and love. Then things get extra eerie as we share chilling modern encounters, creepy Reddit stories, and whispers of real-life vampire communities that make it hard to tell where myth ends and reality begins. So come hang with us… just maybe don't invite anyone inside. Watch part 2 of this episode on the Crime House YouTube channel. Watch the Blood Countess episode of Crimes Of here. Watch the video version here. Have ghost stories of your own? E-mail them to us at twogirlsoneghostpodcast@gmail.com New Episodes are released every Thursday and Sunday at 12am PST/3am EST (the witching hour, of course). Corinne and Sabrina hand select a couple of paranormal encounters from our inbox to read in each episode, from demons, to cryptids, to aliens, to creepy kids... the list goes on and on. If you have a story of your own that you'd like us to share on an upcoming episode, we invite you to email them to us!  If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Patreon, rating and reviewing on iTunes & Spotify and following us on social media! Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Discord. Edited and produced by Jaimi Ryan. Original music by Arms Akimbo! Disclaimer: the use of white sage and smudging is a closed practice. If you're looking to cleanse your space, here are some great alternatives! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elizabeth Bathory is one of pop culture's favorite monsters. Accused of torturing and killing hundreds of young women, she's inspired everything from Snow White's evil stepmother to Lady Gaga. But the actual historical record shows almost none of it happened.Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack sit down with Shelley Puhak, author of The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster, to trace the documented history behind one of history's most sensationalized witch trial-adjacent cases. From the fractured Kingdom of Hungary to a Lutheran minister's invisible demonic cat army, this episode connects the Bathory case to the broader European witch trials and the religious and political warfare driving them.What You'll LearnWhat the preserved record actually showsThe witchcraft and magic accusations woven into the caseThe political war that made Bathory a targetWhat the Palatine of Hungary stood to gain from her downfallThe one minister behind the witchcraft accusationsWhy no bodies were ever foundWhat her own letters reveal about who she really wasThe role of ointments, alchemy, and antimonyWhy widowed noblewomen were especially vulnerable to accusationThe tension between a pop culture monster and a real historical victimWhat justice could look like About Shelley PuhakShelley Puhak is a poet, essayist, and historian from Maryland. Her previous nonfiction book, The Dark Queens (Bloomsbury, 2022), was a national bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards finalist. Her essays have appeared in The Atlantic, the Wall Street Journal, and Virginia Quarterly Review.LinksBuy the book: Blood Countess by Shelley Puhak https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781639732159Learn about the Author on ShelleyPuhak.com https://shelleypuhak.com/End Witch Hunts endwitchhunts.orgAbout Witch Hunts aboutwitchhunts.comSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

Alguns destaques da programação: "Murdering the Evil", "The Blood Countess", "Slet 1988", "Computadora", "O", Lover, Lovers, Loving Love", "Fractais Tropicais", "The Visitor" e John Wilson; Isilda Sanches traz IndieMusicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 1590 and 1610, a small village nestled in the heart of Little Carpathia became the hunting ground for one of history's most prolific serial killers. For the better part of 20 years Elizabeth Bathory, along with a crew of loyal followers, ruthlessly kidnapped, tortured, and murdered young women and girls, earning her the macabre moniker of “The Blood Countess.”

With The Blood Countess, Isabelle Huppert embraces Ulrike Ottinger's vampire universe and finds lightness, absurdity and total faith The post “The Blood Countess”, interview with actress Isabelle Huppert appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

With The Blood Countess, Isabelle Huppert embraces Ulrike Ottinger's vampire universe and finds lightness, absurdity and total faith The post “The Blood Countess”, interview with actress Isabelle Huppert appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

With The Blood Countess, Isabelle Huppert embraces Ulrike Ottinger's vampire universe and finds lightness, absurdity and total faith The post “The Blood Countess”, interview with actress Isabelle Huppert appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

With The Blood Countess, Isabelle Huppert embraces Ulrike Ottinger's vampire universe and finds lightness, absurdity and total faith The post “The Blood Countess”, interview with actress Isabelle Huppert appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

With The Blood Countess, Isabelle Huppert embraces Ulrike Ottinger's vampire universe and finds lightness, absurdity and total faith The post “The Blood Countess”, interview with actress Isabelle Huppert appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

With The Blood Countess, Isabelle Huppert embraces Ulrike Ottinger's vampire universe and finds lightness, absurdity and total faith The post “The Blood Countess”, interview with actress Isabelle Huppert appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

Μια γυναίκα της αριστοκρατίας. Ένα όνομα που έμεινε στην ιστορία. Ένας θρύλος πιο σκοτεινός απ' όσο αντέχεις να πιστέψεις.Το σημερινό επεισόδιο είναι η πρώτη μας TERRORομακτική Ιστορία στο κανονικό Terror 404 (η πρώτη είχε έρθει στο ΠΛΑΣ) και μιλάμε για την Elisabeth Báthory, την περίφημη (πραγματική προσωπικότητα) «Αιματοβαμμένη Κυρία του Καχτίτσε» από τον 16ο αιώνα! Ανάμεσα σε μαρτυρίες, φήμες και υπερβολές, η Lady προσπαθεί να ξεχωρίσει τι είναι πραγματικότητα και τι χτίστηκε με τα χρόνια από τις ιστορίες που λέγονταν στόμα με στόμα.Ήταν όντως η Báthory μια από τις πιο ακραίες δολοφόνους στην ιστορία… ή κάτι πολύ πιο περίπλοκο κρύβεται πίσω από τον θρύλο;Η απάντηση δεν είναι τόσο ξεκάθαρη όσο νομίζεις!----------------------

From the author of the national bestseller The Dark Queens, an incandescent work of true crime and feminist history about Elizabeth Bathory, the woman alleged to be the world's most prolific female serial killer.There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her.Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim-of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. THE BLOOD COUNTESS: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster—Shelley Puhak

Elizabeth Bathory is alleged to have been the most prolific serial killer of all time, responsible for butchering as many as 650 virgins and bathing in their blood. Her Hungarian water castles are the sites of gruesome ghost tours, a metal band named itself for her, and for years she was in the Guinness Book of World Records. The number of women she's said to have killed is four times the population of an average 17th-century village, but when it comes to Bathory's story, even the Guinness Book concedes that “it is impossible to separate fact from fiction.” Shelley Puhak disagrees: In her new book,The Blood Countess, she contends that Bathory was instead the victim of possibly the greatest misinformation campaign in history, brought against a powerful, wealthy woman at a tumultuous time. Lutherans and Calvinists were at one another's throats at the height of the Protestant Reformation, the Ottoman Empire lurked just across the border, and medicine in upheaval, with both new and old practices bringing accusations of heresy and witchcraft. It was a dark time to be a woman—especially one with 17 castles to her name, and no husband to defend her.Go beyond the episode:Shelley Puhak's The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a MonsterTune in every (other) week to catch interviews with the liveliest voices from literature, the arts, sciences, history, and public affairs; reports on cutting-edge works in progress; long-form narratives; and compelling excerpts from new books. Hosted by Stephanie Bastek and sponsored by the Phi Beta Kappa Society.Subscribe: iTunes/Apple • Amazon • Google • Acast • PandoraHave suggestions for projects you'd like us to catch up on, or writers you want to hear from? Send us a note: podcast [at] theamericanscholar [dot] org. And rate us on iTunes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 381: Berlin 2026 – Rachel Pronger on The Blood Countess, No Good Men, The Radu Jude Short, The Fabulous Time Machine, The Cruel Woman Welcome to The Last Thing I Saw, with your host, Nicolas Rapold. As the 2026 Berlinale enters its second week, I continue my series covering the highlights. This time I welcome a new guest to the podcast, Rachel Pronger, critic and co-founder of Invisible Women, an archive activist feminist film collective which champions historic work by women and marginalized gender filmmakers through curation, events, and editorial. We began with a revival selection from the festival's Teddy 40 anniversary series, Seduction: The Cruel Woman, co-directed by Elfi Mikesch and Monika Treut. Then we discuss premieres from across the festival: The Blood Countess (directed by Ulrike Ottinger, from Berlinale Special Gala), the opening film No Good Men (Shahrbanoo Sadat), The Fabulous Time Machine (Eliza Capai and Daniel Grinspum, from Generation Kplus), Crocodile (The Critics and Pietra Brettkelly) and a new short film from Radu Jude, Plan Contraplan (from Shorts Program 4). Please support the production of this podcast by signing up at: rapold.substack.com Photo by Steve Snodgrass

Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Báthory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Báthory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? My guest is Shelley Puhak, author of the new book "The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster". She helps us separate fact from fiction as she reexamines the life of Elizabeth Báthory, long labeled one of history's most notorious killers, and unpacks a complex story of power, politics, and how it all led to the making of a "monster". The author's website: https://shelleypuhak.com/ The author's publisher page: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/blood-countess-9781639732159/ Become a Most Notorious patron here: https://www.patreon.com/c/mostnotorious Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth Bathory is currently in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific female serial killer. But was she? Author Shelley Puhak's new book The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster interrogates how and why Elizabeth Bathory got such a killer reputation, and what may have really happened all those years ago in her castle. Buy a copy of The Blood Countess (affiliate link) — ⁠⁠Order a copy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠of Ann's book, Rebel of the Regency!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Info on Ann's upcoming live events!⁠ — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠common.era.com/vulgar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠commonera.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code VULGAR at checkout — Get Vulgar History merch at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vulgarhistory.com/store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (best for US shipping) and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vulgarhistory.redbubble.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (better for international shipping) — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Vulgar History on Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her. Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, in The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster (Bloomsbury, 2026) Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her. Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, in The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster (Bloomsbury, 2026) Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her. Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, in The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster (Bloomsbury, 2026) Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her. Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, in The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster (Bloomsbury, 2026) Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her. Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, in The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster (Bloomsbury, 2026) Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies

There have long been whispers, coming from the castle; from the village square; from the dark woods. The great lady-a countess, from one of Europe's oldest families-is a vicious killer. Some even say she bathes in the blood of her victims. When the king's men force their way into her manor house, she has blood on her hands, caught in the act of murdering yet another of her maids. She is walled up in a tower and never seen again, except in the uppermost barred window, where she broods over the countryside, cursing all those who dared speak up against her. Told and retold in many languages, the legend of the Blood Countess has consumed cultural imaginations around the world. But despite claims that Elizabeth Bathory tortured and killed as many as 650 girls, some have wondered if the Countess was herself a victim- of one of the most successful disinformation campaigns known to history. So, was Elizabeth Bathory a monster, a victim, or a bit of both? With the breathlessness of a whodunit, drawing upon new archival evidence and questioning old assumptions, in The Blood Countess: Murder, Betrayal, and the Making of a Monster (Bloomsbury, 2026) Shelley Puhak traces the Countess's downfall, bringing to life an assertive woman leader in a world sliding into anti-scientific, reactionary darkness-a world where nothing is ever as it seems. In this exhilarating narrative, Puhak renders a vivid portrait of history's most dangerous woman and her tumultuous time, revealing just how far we will go to destroy a woman in power. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/book-of-the-day

She's known as history's most prolific female serial killer — a noblewoman who tortured hundreds of young girls and bathed in their blood to stay young. But what if Elizabeth Bathory was innocent, and the real monsters were the men who wanted her gone? | WEEK OF JAN 11, 2026 #WDRadio==========HOUR ONE: Reddit users share some of the strangest, creepiest, most terrifying phone calls they've ever received – many that left the recipient with no explanation as to what just happened. (Creepy Phone Calls) *** Elizabeth Bathory was beautiful – and wanted to stay that way. So determined was her desire for a youthful appearance that she would bathe in the blood of young girls, thinking of it as a macabre fountain of youth. But how much truth is there to this story? And are there ghosts today, haunting their residences thanks to the Blood Countess? 
(Ghosts of the Blood Countess)==========HOUR TWO: 
Winnie had two trunks when she arrived at the train station – trunks that contained the severed body parts of her two best friends. She had murdered them, it seems, all in the name of love. (Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess) *** Was British government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly murdered? (Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly) *** Madame Delphine LaLaurie, made popular by Kathy Bates in American Horror Story: Coven, was a first class monster. A figure of high society, she was well known for her mistreatment of slaves. But no one knew just how sick she truly was. (The Monster of Royal Street)==========SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: A former schoolhouse has accrued a sinister reputation as one of the most haunted, weirdest places in Japan. (Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan) *** The gold rush brought many to North Carolina – men looking to get rich, and rich men looking to get richer. But the greed also brought cruelty to some mine owners… and that cruelty sometimes brought death… and hauntings. (The Skinflint Mine Entity) *** Was a certain female reporter murdered because she knew too much about the death of John F. Kennedy? (The Dorothy Killgallen Murder) *** Something bizarre and terrifying is living below the streets of London – and there are many theories as to what it might be. (Strange Things Below London)==========SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT'S SHOW:“The Monster of Royal Street: Delphine LaLaurie”: https://tinyurl.com/ssf9lm3“Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly”: https://tinyurl.com/uf4jv5m“Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess” by Troy Taylor: http://ow.ly/kpFb30nhABS“Creepy Phone Calls” by Aaron Edwards for Graveyard Shift: https://tinyurl.com/spnqq2s“Ghosts of the Blood Countess” by Amy's Crypt for Paranormal Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/r4lh7rn“Strange Things Below London” by Nick Redfern for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/ulutgp7“The Murder of Dorothy Kilgallen” by Jessika M. Thomas for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/tjzpaz7“The Skinflint Mine Entity” from North Carolina Ghosts: https://tinyurl.com/w6ofq7g“Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan” by Brent Swancer for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/w4n98c6==========(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for material I use whenever possible. If I have overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it immediately. Some links may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)=========="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46==========WeirdDarkness®, WeirdDarkness© 2026==========To become a Weird Darkness Radio Show affiliate, contact Radio America at affiliates@radioamerica.com, or call 800-807-4703 (press 2 or dial ext 250).

Author Pete Altieri reads his short story, "One Night With the Blood Countess", from the "Creation of Chaos: Volume IV" collection. Buy your signed copy today and get a FREE 11  x `17 color poster and bookmark. PeteAltieri.com or CreationOfChaos.com to buy this book or one of the many other short story collections and novels Pete has available in his secure webstore.Learn more about the Murder Metal Mayhem podcast.Buy your masks from the sickest around - SikRikMasks.com

Hello Poison Friends! We are still on our spooky kick for the season here and I want to discuss the history behind vampires. We have mentioned some vampire scares here before when discussing tuberculosis, because the disease did carry some superstition behind it in some parts of the world. However, the idea of undead or spiritual entities eating human flesh or drinking blood has been around for centuries. There have been many words for such a beast in various cultures and stories worldwide, so we are touching on a few notable ones that gave rise to the vampire myths and characters that we know today. That being said, we need to mention some real figures from history that inspired such characters as Bram Stoker's Dracula, a character we all associate with early modern vampires. This episode we are talking about the Countess Elizabeth Báthory, or as you may know her, the Blood Countess. She was said to have bathed in the blood of young virgins she killed to keep herself looking youthful, but how much of this story is true? There are witness statements and trial records of her crimes of torturing and killing young girls and women that she specifically invited to her manor, from both peasant and noble families. Among these records it is written by servants/witnesses that she tortured and murdered between 36-51 girls. Another witness counted up to 80 and still another was told of a register of 650 women killed by the bloody Countess. Obviously, there will be some mentions of torture, gore (nothing too descriptive mind you), and murder. So trigger warning for at least the second half of this episode! Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters! Please feel free to leave a comment or send us a DM for any questions, suggestions, or just to say, "hi."Support us on Patreon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/thepoisonersalmanac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://poisonersalmanac.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on socials:The Poisoner's Almanac on IG-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/poisoners_almanac?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@thepoisonersalmanac-m5q?si=16JV_ZKhpGaLyM73⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Also, look for the Poisoner's Almanac TikTok- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@poisonersalmanacp?_t=ZT-8wdYQyXhKbm&_r=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Adam-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studiesshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Becca-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@yobec0?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Looking for a terrifying Halloween horror story?An ancient vampire rises again to feed during Halloween week in Ohio. When Countess Elizabeth Bathory—the infamous Blood Countess—returns from the grave, a night of trick-or-treating turns into a nightmare of blood, immortality, and revenge.As the town descends into chaos, a teen vampire hunter and a girl from Hell must face the most powerful predator in horror history. Can they stop her before Halloween night ends… or will the Blood Countess bathe again?This vampire horror story by Rob Fields blends supernatural horror, gothic legend, and pulse-pounding Halloween tension—perfect for fans of scary podcasts, Halloween fiction, and vampire thrillers.Halloween Blood Hunt — by Rob Fields

Elizabeth Bathory: The Blood Countess — Monster or Myth?She bathed in blood to preserve her beauty... or did she?In this chilling episode of Macabre: A Dark History Podcast, we journey deep into the shadowy halls of Castle Čachtice to uncover the truth behind Elizabeth Bathory — the woman dubbed "The Blood Countess" and "Countess Dracula."Was she truly the most prolific female serial killer in history, torturing and murdering hundreds of young women in a sadistic quest for eternal youth? Or was she a powerful noblewoman caught in a web of political conspiracies and misogynistic rumors designed to strip her of power and wealth?Join us as we sift through centuries-old testimonies, delve into the folklore that immortalized her, and confront the blood-soaked legends head-on. Is Elizabeth Bathory a monstrous murderer — or a misunderstood victim of history's darkest game of thrones?Get Merch @ www.gothiccthreads.comPatreon members get ad free content, early access and exclusive bonus episodes Paid supporters, Join us for Macabre Movie Nights and Game Nights : Macabre PatreonSend in your stories for a future listener tales episode!Email us at thatssomacabre@gmail.comFollow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@macabre_podcastJoin our private Facebook Group at : MacabrePodcastJoin us on Discord: https://discord.gg/AgB7kgQMResource: "No Blood in the Water", Rachel Bledsaw : https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/135/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/macabre-dark-history/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Witches explores what a witch is and the different ways to be one. Judika Illes presents the history, mysteries, and diverse natures of witches from around the world. Featuring a who's who ranging from famous—or infamous—historical witches such as Tituba, Sybil Leek, Aleister Crowley, Isobel Gowdie, and Countess Erzsebet Báthory (widely known as the Blood Countess) to popular literary, cinematic, and TV witches such as Endora, the Scarlet Witch, Melisandre, Storm, Agatha Harkness, and the Wicked Witch of the West, Witches also offers travel tips for witches and a guide to the tools of the trade such as brooms, wands, cauldrons, and mirrors.The world may be filled with dangers, but it is also filled with ancient and powerful forces that serve as antidotes and protective devices. These magical forces include crystals, herbs, amulets, sacred beings, and even colors and numbers. Magic spells enable us to harness these forces for our own benefit. Let these cards of the Protection Spells Deck guide you toward safety, security, and embracing your own personal power.

The Cachtice Castle lies in ruins in Slovakia, but was once a home to royalty. This then became a prison for Baroness Elizabeth Bathory. Her family was known for cruelty and she knew violence from the time she was a child. Legends claim that she grew up to become the "Blood Countess," a prolific female serial killer. But was she really that or has history given her a bad rap via a story concocted by people who wanted her power and possessions? The Castle is a magnificent, but crumbling structure that many claim is haunted because of intense emotions and pain trapped in the stone. Does Madame Bathory still walk its halls? Join us for the history and hauntings of Cachtice Castle. Check out the website: http://historygoesbump.com Music used in this episode: Main Theme: Lurking in the Dark by Muse Music with Groove Studios Outro Music: Happy Fun Punk by Muse Music with Groove Studios Other music in this episode: Countess Bathory Theme written and produced by History Goes Bump Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

HOUR ONE: 
Winnie had two trunks when she arrived at the train station – trunks that contained the severed body parts of her two best friends. She had murdered them, it seems, all in the name of love. (Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess) *** Was British government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly murdered? (Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly) *** Madame Delphine LaLaurie, made popular by Kathy Bates in American Horror Story: Coven, was a first class monster. A figure of high society, she was well known for her mistreatment of slaves. But no one knew just how sick she truly was. (The Monster of Royal Street)==========HOUR TWO: Reddit users share some of the strangest, creepiest, most terrifying phone calls they've ever received – many that left the recipient with no explanation as to what just happened. (Creepy Phone Calls) *** Elizabeth Bathory was beautiful – and wanted to stay that way. So determined was her desire for a youthful appearance that she would bathe in the blood of young girls, thinking of it as a macabre fountain of youth. But how much truth is there to this story? And are there ghosts today, haunting their residences thanks to the Blood Countess? 
(Ghosts of the Blood Countess)==========SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: A former schoolhouse has accrued a sinister reputation as one of the most haunted, weirdest places in Japan. (Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan) *** The gold rush brought many to North Carolina – men looking to get rich, and rich men looking to get richer. But the greed also brought cruelty to some mine owners… and that cruelty sometimes brought death… and hauntings. (The Skinflint Mine Entity) *** Was a certain female reporter murdered because she knew too much about the death of John F. Kennedy? (The Dorothy Killgallen Murder) *** Something bizarre and terrifying is living below the streets of London – and there are many theories as to what it might be. (Strange Things Below London)==========SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT'S SHOW:“The Monster of Royal Street: Delphine LaLaurie”: https://tinyurl.com/ssf9lm3“Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly”: https://tinyurl.com/uf4jv5m“Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess” by Troy Taylor: http://ow.ly/kpFb30nhABS“Creepy Phone Calls” by Aaron Edwards for Graveyard Shift: https://tinyurl.com/spnqq2s“Ghosts of the Blood Countess” by Amy's Crypt for Paranormal Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/r4lh7rn“Strange Things Below London” by Nick Redfern for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/ulutgp7“The Murder of Dorothy Kilgallen” by Jessika M. Thomas for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/tjzpaz7“The Skinflint Mine Entity” from North Carolina Ghosts: https://tinyurl.com/w6ofq7g“Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan” by Brent Swancer for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/w4n98c6==========(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for material I use whenever possible. If I have overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it immediately. Some links may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)=========="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46==========WeirdDarkness®, WeirdDarkness© 2025==========To become a Weird Darkness Radio Show affiliate, contact Radio America at affiliates@radioamerica.com, or call 800-807-4703 (press 2 or dial ext 250).

Natty and her guest delve into the horrifying life of Elizabeth Bathory, also known as the Blood Countess, who allegedly tortured and murdered up to 650 women. They mix dark humor with spine-chilling details about her legendary cruelty, including bathing in virgin blood and sewing thieves into horses. If you enjoy true crime with a pinch of paranormal weirdness, this episode is for you—but mostly, it's for sociopaths and history buffs.My Links:Click here for merch sites, patreon site, website, to donate, and join me on social media!Guest Links:Click here for OUCH! Was that a ghost? LinksResources:https://www.biography.com/crime/elizabeth-bathory   https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-Bathory  https://biographics.org/elizabeth-bathory-biography-the-blood-countess/   https://healthfulmind.blog/2019/09/18/the-abnormal-psychology-of-elizabeth-bathory/   https://www.slovakation.com/the-bloody-lady-of-cachtice-elizabeth-bathory/  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cryptids-creeps-and-conspiracy-podcast--6041412/support.

Send us a textWelcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 339 - “Blood is My Beauty Secret”I want to devote the next few episodes to Elizabeth Bathory -I read that she was a distant descendant of Vlad the Impaler - sounds interesting but like so many of the tales of the region - apparently was a fabrication.But - getting back to Elizabeth's life - her existence (I am not sure how much of it is true)  does qualify as a one that seems like it is from a very dark Gothic novel. Elizabeth Báthory, also known as the "Blood Countess," is a historical figure shrouded in both infamy and mystery. Born in 1560 into a powerful Hungarian noble family, she is alleged to have tortured and killed hundreds of young women between 1590 and 1610, earning her a reputation as one of history's most prolific female murderers. However, her story is complex, with elements of political intrigue, gender dynamics, and folklore.Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, 16th Century Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory has the distinction of being the most prolific serial killer in the world with a suspected 650 murders of young women to her name. In her time, Countess Bathory was accused of vicious atrocities, most notably bathing in the blood of her victims to gain immortality. She seems to have earned the title of the Blood Countess, but she really a mass murderer? Tonight, Kent, Adrianna and Tracy discuss the Blood Countess and explore the possibility that not only was she not a sadistic killer, but was instead a religious subversive and reformer who spirited noble women away to save their lives. Also, apologies to our listeners for the fact that no one on the show can pronounce Hungarian, but we try our best! Welcome to Episode 157 of "What In The...? Podcast!"

Uncover the chilling story of Elizabeth Bathory—history's “Blood Countess.” Was she a ruthless serial killer or framed in a web of political intrigue? The truth is darker than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legend has it that at the turn of the 17th century, in a small corner of the then-Kingdom of Hungary, a noblewoman preyed on her peasant tenants, torturing and murdering them for her own sadistic pleasure high up in her castle in the Little Carpathian Mountains. Countess Elizabeth Bathory (Erzsebet Bathori, or Alzbeta Batoriova, in Hungarian and Slovakian, respectively) has been described as history's most prolific female serial killer - her death toll was said to be as high as 650 - until she was finally stopped on the order of the King of Hungary.But the story is more complicated than the tale that's been passed down. The daughter of an extremely powerful and wealthy family, Elizabeth and her husband had loaned the crown significant sums to keep it afloat during a long war with the Ottoman Empire. She herself was a Calvinist in a time when Lutherans were agitating for greater authority in post-Reformation Europe, and one Lutheran minister in particular seems to have been diligent in spreading rumors of Elizabeth's bad conduct. After Elizabeth became a widow - thus a rich and powerful independent noblewoman who was owed a large sum of money from the King - the rumors intensified significantly. Is this because Elizabeth's murder spree picked up steam, or because, for reasons ranging from sexism and sectarianism to simple power politics and repayment avoidance, it was convenient to destroy Countess Bathory's reputation for all of history?Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast.To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legend has it that at the turn of the 17th century, in a small corner of the then-Kingdom of Hungary, a noblewoman preyed on her peasant tenants, torturing and murdering them for her own sadistic pleasure high up in her castle in the Little Carpathian Mountains. Countess Elizabeth Bathory (Erzsebet Bathori, or Alzbeta Batoriova, in Hungarian and Slovakian, respectively) has been described as history's most prolific female serial killer - her death toll was said to be as high as 650 - until she was finally stopped on the order of the King of Hungary. But the story is more complicated than the tale that's been passed down. The daughter of an extremely powerful and wealthy family, Elizabeth and her husband had loaned the crown significant sums to keep it afloat during a long war with the Ottoman Empire. She herself was a Calvinist in a time when Lutherans were agitating for greater authority in post-Reformation Europe, and one Lutheran minister in particular seems to have been diligent in spreading rumors of Elizabeth's bad conduct. After Elizabeth became a widow - thus a rich and powerful independent noblewoman who was owed a large sum of money from the King - the rumors intensified significantly. Is this because Elizabeth's murder spree picked up steam, or because, for reasons ranging from sexism and sectarianism to simple power politics and repayment avoidance, it was convenient to destroy Countess Bathory's reputation for all of history? Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast. To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As RedHanded takes a festive pause, we've picked two of our favourite Patreon Bonus episodes from 2024. To get a full-length, bonus episode of RedHanded every month – plus weekly video episodes of Under the Duvet and much more besides – head to Patreon.com/redhanded and sign up. Or, head to patreon.com/redhanded/gift to buy a membership for someone else!--For our second upcycle, we dive into the dark and twisted tale of Elizabeth Báthory: Hungary's infamous ‘Blood Countess'. Was she, as the spooky stories claim, a sadistic vampiress who sacrificed virgins in her quest for eternal youth? Or could she have been an innocent victim of a medieval smear campaign?Join us as we unravel the truth behind the eerie myths surrounding one of history's most bloodthirsty figures.Exclusive bonus content:Wondery - Ad-free & ShortHandPatreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesFollow us on social media:YouTubeTikTokInstagramXVisit our website:WebsiteSources available on redhandedpodcast.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So what if she murdered 30-600 girls in one of the most terrifying ways possible? It's not like she didn't have a reason: a face snatched to the gods and not a pore in sight! Watch in video at: https://www.youtube.com/@RespecttheDeadPodcast Want an exclusive video episode about The Blood Countess? Sign up at ➡ https://www.patreon.com/RespectTheDead Hoots: https://www.youtube.com/@hootsyoutube // https://twitter.com/punishedhoots Caelan: https://www.youtube.com/@caelanconrad // https://twitter.com/caelanconrad

Jerry & Tracy discuss the Slovakian Triangle and the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory.Frannie from the Supernatural Eye joins the show!This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online help a try at BetterHelp.com/Hillbilly and get on your way to being your best self

With new episodes every week, Creepy's Jon Grilz guides you on an excursion through the world's most haunted places. Explore grizzly murders and the historical context behind each crime. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.Episode 1 : BathoryJoin us as we discover the horrors of one of the worst alleged killers of all time, The Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory and the trail of terror she left behind.Narration by Jon Grilz (featuring Danielle Hewitt and Joe Stofko)Script by Jeff WhiteheadIntro and Outro Music by Brandon BooneProduced by Natalie Brown

Today I'm joined by author Judika Illes to chat about her newest book (and all the other things she's contributed to the witchcraft community!) Let us know - who is your favorite cinematic witch? WITCHES: A COMPENDIUM is a concise compendium of witches through the ages, from earliest prehistory to some of the most significant modern practitioners, Witches explores who and what is a witch. Also included are an exploration of the sacred and the profane, the myths and misconceptions of witchcraft, a travel guide for the witch curious, and introductions to practicing witches of today.  Witches explores what a witch is and the different ways to be one. Judika Illes presents the history, mysteries, and diverse natures of witches from around the world. Featuring a who's who ranging from famous—or infamous—historical witches such as Tituba, Sybil Leek, Aleister Crowley, Isobel Gowdie, and Countess Erzsebet Báthory (widely known as the Blood Countess) to popular literary, cinematic, and TV witches such as Endora, the Scarlet Witch, Melisandre, Storm, Agatha Harkness, and the Wicked Witch of the West, Witches also offers travel tips for witches and a guide to the tools of the trade such as brooms, wands, cauldrons, and mirrors. This celebration of witches and witchcraft also features: Sacred witches such as Baba Yaga, Lilith, Isis, Hekate, Diana, Circe, and Yemaya Familiars and creatures closely associated with witchcraft including cats, bats, crows, owls, and foxes Art witches like Moina Mathers, Vali Myers, Rosaleen Norton, Leonora Carrington, and Cameron Different schools of witchcraft including green witchery, kitchen witchery, Wicca, and Hekatean Witchcraft The various things witches do from divination to spirit working to spell-casting Judika Illes is a lifelong student, lover, and practitioner of the magical arts. She is the author of numerous books devoted to spells, spirits, and witchcraft, including Encyclopedia of Spirits, as well as Pure Magic, Daily Magic, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages, and Magic When You Need It. She has been a professional tarot card reader for over three decades and is a certified aromatherapist. A native New Yorker, Judika teaches in the US and internationally, live and virtually. Follow her on Instagram @judikailles and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles/. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/43jfvhe2IN THIS EPISODE: Reddit users share some of the strangest, creepiest, most terrifying phone calls they've ever received – many that left the recipient with no explanation as to what just happened. (Voices From The Void) *** A former schoolhouse has accrued a sinister reputation as one of the most haunted, weirdest places in Japan. (Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan) *** The gold rush brought many to North Carolina – men looking to get rich, and rich men looking to get richer. But the greed also brought cruelty to some mine owners… and that cruelty sometimes brought death… and hauntings. (The Skinflint Mine Entity) *** Was a certain female reporter murdered because she knew too much about the death of John F. Kennedy? (The Dorothy Killgallen Murder) *** Something bizarre and terrifying is living below the streets of London – and there are many theories as to what it might be. (Strange Things Below London) *** Elizabeth Bathory was beautiful – and wanted to stay that way. So determined was her desire for a youthful appearance that she would bathe in the blood of young girls, thinking of it as a macabre fountain of youth. But how much truth is there to this story? And are there ghosts today, haunting their residences thanks to the Blood Countess? (Ghosts of the Blood Countess)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Title Story Preview and Show Open00:02:38.284 = Creepy Phone Calls, Part 100:17:53.664 = Creepy Phone Calls, Part 200:35:41.210 = Ghosts of the Blood Countess00:43:38.422 = The Murder of Dorothy Kilgallen00:57:35.569 = Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan01:07:16.598 = The Skinflint Mine Entity01:12:11.697 = Strange Things Below London01:17:22.217 = Show CloseSOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…“Creepy Phone Calls” by Aaron Edwards: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5c8etac5“Ghosts of the Blood Countess” by Amy's Crypt: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4kxzvh82“Strange Things Below London” by Nick Redfern: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/mrxznw2w“The Murder of Dorothy Kilgallen” by Jessika M. Thomas: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p96vmwh“The Skinflint Mine Entity”: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5n7fpjn9“Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan” by Brent Swancer: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/mrxp56nuWeird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: January 29, 2019CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/voicesfromthevoid/

Have you ever heard of "clinical vampirism," more commonly known today as Renfield's Syndrome? One review of psychiatric literature claims that over 50,000 people addicted to drinking blood have appeared in case studies from 1892 to 2010. But does that mean that any of them are actually, at least medically speaking, vampires? For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com

HOUR ONE: Reddit users share some of the strangest, creepiest, most terrifying phone calls they've ever received – many that left the recipient with no explanation as to what just happened. (Creepy Phone Calls) *** Elizabeth Bathory was beautiful – and wanted to stay that way. So determined was her desire for a youthful appearance that she would bathe in the blood of young girls, thinking of it as a macabre fountain of youth. But how much truth is there to this story? And are there ghosts today, haunting their residences thanks to the Blood Countess? 
(Ghosts of the Blood Countess)==========HOUR TWO: 
Winnie had two trunks when she arrived at the train station – trunks that contained the severed body parts of her two best friends. She had murdered them, it seems, all in the name of love. (Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess) *** Was British government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly murdered? (Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly) *** Madame Delphine LaLaurie, made popular by Kathy Bates in American Horror Story: Coven, was a first class monster. A figure of high society, she was well known for her mistreatment of slaves. But no one knew just how sick she truly was. (The Monster of Royal Street)==========SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: A former schoolhouse has accrued a sinister reputation as one of the most haunted, weirdest places in Japan. (Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan) *** The gold rush brought many to North Carolina – men looking to get rich, and rich men looking to get richer. But the greed also brought cruelty to some mine owners… and that cruelty sometimes brought death… and hauntings. (The Skinflint Mine Entity) *** Was a certain female reporter murdered because she knew too much about the death of John F. Kennedy? (The Dorothy Killgallen Murder) *** Something bizarre and terrifying is living below the streets of London – and there are many theories as to what it might be. (Strange Things Below London)==========SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT'S SHOW:“The Monster of Royal Street: Delphine LaLaurie”: https://tinyurl.com/ssf9lm3“Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly”: https://tinyurl.com/uf4jv5m“Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess” by Troy Taylor: http://ow.ly/kpFb30nhABS“Creepy Phone Calls” by Aaron Edwards for Graveyard Shift: https://tinyurl.com/spnqq2s“Ghosts of the Blood Countess” by Amy's Crypt for Paranormal Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/r4lh7rn“Strange Things Below London” by Nick Redfern for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/ulutgp7“The Murder of Dorothy Kilgallen” by Jessika M. Thomas for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/tjzpaz7“The Skinflint Mine Entity” from North Carolina Ghosts: https://tinyurl.com/w6ofq7g“Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan” by Brent Swancer for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/w4n98c6==========(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for material I use whenever possible. If I have overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it immediately. Some links may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)=========="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46==========WeirdDarkness®, WeirdDarkness© 2024==========To become a Weird Darkness Radio Show affiliate, contact Radio America at affiliates@radioamerica.com, or call 800-807-4703 (press 2 or dial ext 250).

HOUR ONE: 
Winnie had two trunks when she arrived at the train station – trunks that contained the severed body parts of her two best friends. She had murdered them, it seems, all in the name of love. (Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess) *** Was British government weapons inspector Dr David Kelly murdered? (Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly) *** Madame Delphine LaLaurie, made popular by Kathy Bates in American Horror Story: Coven, was a first class monster. A figure of high society, she was well known for her mistreatment of slaves. But no one knew just how sick she truly was. (The Monster of Royal Street)==========HOUR TWO: Reddit users share some of the strangest, creepiest, most terrifying phone calls they've ever received – many that left the recipient with no explanation as to what just happened. (Creepy Phone Calls) *** Elizabeth Bathory was beautiful – and wanted to stay that way. So determined was her desire for a youthful appearance that she would bathe in the blood of young girls, thinking of it as a macabre fountain of youth. But how much truth is there to this story? And are there ghosts today, haunting their residences thanks to the Blood Countess? 
(Ghosts of the Blood Countess)==========SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME: A former schoolhouse has accrued a sinister reputation as one of the most haunted, weirdest places in Japan. (Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan) *** The gold rush brought many to North Carolina – men looking to get rich, and rich men looking to get richer. But the greed also brought cruelty to some mine owners… and that cruelty sometimes brought death… and hauntings. (The Skinflint Mine Entity) *** Was a certain female reporter murdered because she knew too much about the death of John F. Kennedy? (The Dorothy Killgallen Murder) *** Something bizarre and terrifying is living below the streets of London – and there are many theories as to what it might be. (Strange Things Below London)==========SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM TONIGHT'S SHOW:“The Monster of Royal Street: Delphine LaLaurie”: https://tinyurl.com/ssf9lm3“Many Dark Actors: Dr. David Kelly”: https://tinyurl.com/uf4jv5m“Winnie Ruth Judd: Trunk Murderess” by Troy Taylor: http://ow.ly/kpFb30nhABS“Creepy Phone Calls” by Aaron Edwards for Graveyard Shift: https://tinyurl.com/spnqq2s“Ghosts of the Blood Countess” by Amy's Crypt for Paranormal Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/r4lh7rn“Strange Things Below London” by Nick Redfern for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/ulutgp7“The Murder of Dorothy Kilgallen” by Jessika M. Thomas for Ranker: https://tinyurl.com/tjzpaz7“The Skinflint Mine Entity” from North Carolina Ghosts: https://tinyurl.com/w6ofq7g“Haunted Schoolhouse In Japan” by Brent Swancer for Mysterious Universe: https://tinyurl.com/w4n98c6==========(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for material I use whenever possible. If I have overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it immediately. Some links may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)=========="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46==========WeirdDarkness®, WeirdDarkness© 2024==========To become a Weird Darkness Radio Show affiliate, contact Radio America at affiliates@radioamerica.com, or call 800-807-4703 (press 2 or dial ext 250).