The Blood Countess

My entry for Doll-Makers-Domain's October Contest: Villains. I suppose not much of a 'villain' in the typical sense, but truly a horrifying person from history that most would view as villainous. My villain of choice is Elizabeth Bathory, her dress is based off of this portrait. 

For those unfamiliar with this lady, she was a Hungarian countess who lived from 1560 until 1614, and one of the most notorious female serial killers in history. The precise number of her victims is unknown, but she killed many young girls of various station levels (Beginning with peasant girls, whom the other woman is supposed to symbolise.) in society. When she was investigated, numerous young girls were found horrifically mutilated, dead or dying. The were beaten, burned, stabbed, amputated, had flesh bitten off and were left to starve and/or freeze to death. 

Stories came after that she would bathe in the blood of these girls in the hopes of keeping herself young and beautiful. Though whether those things are true or merely gossip sprung from the terror spread by her actions is contested, though many choose to believe it. 

As she was of high status, executing her was not something wished to be done once she was tried and found guilty (There was overwhelming evidence and testimony against her, not even nobility can weasel their way out of that.), she was instead bricked up within a room in her own castle, with only a small gap to allow air and food to enter the room. She died four years following her confinement. 

I felt like she was a perfect choice for a villain theme around Halloween, given she helped fuel vampire rumours, it felt fitting.

Tudor Scene Maker created by dolldivine & AzaleasDolls