Several reasons why the land grab theory doesn't hold water, although her (main) castle and estate were in a strategic position: she was put under house arrest, the land stayed in the family, the king was struggling to maintaining his existing lands and property. Ongoing warfare and a stagnant economy made land grabs uneconomic. There was a far easier way to confiscate her lands without exposing an aristocrat as a mass murderer. One that was used against one of her relatives who was caught up in some aristocratic intrigues. That is, a trail for witchcraft, where there was a very low evidentiary bar. Yes, there could be other nefarious factors such as religious or ethnic tensions or mysogeny at play with Bathory. But probably not a land grab.
Very true. I think that's where I struggle with the "she was framed" theory as well. I know there were horrors in that time period (see Țepeș, Vlad), but these charges were so brutal and specific, it would have been so much simplier to go a more common route for charges - as you said, witchcraft being a popular one at the time. You also make a great point about the land staying with the family and the instability of the monarchy in that time. He wasn't trying to expand, he was trying to maintain control over what he had. Great stuff! Thanks for commenting @andrewfuller9156!
It's definitely possible. Although there is physical evidence in the castle to support some of the claims and as we mentioned in the video, there was at the time a belief that the royals believed the blood of the young could "replenish youth". But, as you said, if you look at the political climate of the time there definitely a case to be made that some of the evidence may have been faked or circumstantial. It was interesting that her servants were put to death but she, herself, was simply just locked away in her room - albeit bricked up so she could never leave until her death - which might have been a worse fate, honestly.
this video was so creepy, love it!
Thank you!
Several reasons why the land grab theory doesn't hold water, although her (main) castle and estate were in a strategic position: she was put under house arrest, the land stayed in the family, the king was struggling to maintaining his existing lands and property. Ongoing warfare and a stagnant economy made land grabs uneconomic. There was a far easier way to confiscate her lands without exposing an aristocrat as a mass murderer. One that was used against one of her relatives who was caught up in some aristocratic intrigues. That is, a trail for witchcraft, where there was a very low evidentiary bar. Yes, there could be other nefarious factors such as religious or ethnic tensions or mysogeny at play with Bathory. But probably not a land grab.
Very true. I think that's where I struggle with the "she was framed" theory as well. I know there were horrors in that time period (see Țepeș, Vlad), but these charges were so brutal and specific, it would have been so much simplier to go a more common route for charges - as you said, witchcraft being a popular one at the time.
You also make a great point about the land staying with the family and the instability of the monarchy in that time. He wasn't trying to expand, he was trying to maintain control over what he had.
Great stuff! Thanks for commenting @andrewfuller9156!
I think she was set up. They wanted her money. And lands and other stuff. I wasn't there ☺️ but it was very interesting 🤨😊😊
It's definitely possible. Although there is physical evidence in the castle to support some of the claims and as we mentioned in the video, there was at the time a belief that the royals believed the blood of the young could "replenish youth". But, as you said, if you look at the political climate of the time there definitely a case to be made that some of the evidence may have been faked or circumstantial. It was interesting that her servants were put to death but she, herself, was simply just locked away in her room - albeit bricked up so she could never leave until her death - which might have been a worse fate, honestly.