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Tales From the Underworld
Medieval Malice: Hungary's "Blood Countess" Elizabeth Bathory & France's Serial Killer Knight Gilles de Rais
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Medieval Malice: Hungary's "Blood Countess" Elizabeth Bathory & France's Serial Killer Knight Gilles de Rais

In the blood-soaked courts of medieval Europe, two nobles—one a countess, the other a knight—left behind legacies of unimaginable cruelty.
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In this episode of Tales From the Underworld, we uncover the chilling legacies of two of the most notorious figures in medieval history: Elizabeth Báthory, the Hungarian noblewoman accused of torturing and murdering hundreds of girls, and Gilles de Rais, a decorated French knight who fought alongside Joan of Arc before descending into a life of ritualistic killings.

Known as the “Blood Countess,” Bathory has become infamous for allegedly bathing in the blood of virgins to preserve her youth—earning her a reputation as one of history’s most prolific female killers. Meanwhile, Gilles de Rais is often cited as one of the earliest known serial killers, performing gruesome acts in his castle after his military glory faded.

But how much of their story is legend—and how much is real?

Join us as we delve into court records, folklore, and modern interpretations to separate fact from myth. We explore the political motivations behind their accusations, the evidence of their crimes, and why these two aristocrats continue to haunt the world of true crime, gothic horror, and historical investigation centuries later.



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