I first learned about Elizabeth Bathory 40 years ago when I was researching the manifestations of sleep paralysis in literature and folklore. She and her servants were accused of secretly murdering hundreds of young woman, an accusation that later morphed into bathing in the blood of the virgins.
This outstanding book meticulously examines and interprets the historical record - no small feat, considering that the primary source documents are in Hungarian, Latin, and Slovak, and because translating seventeenth century idioms and grammar requires specialized knowledge.
I have previously blogged one page from this book describing the general ambience of Hungary in the 1600s. Elizabeth Bathory was a leading member of the most powerful famiily in Hungary, rivaling the Hapsburgs in wealth and prestige. But this era was also characterized by extensive discord arising from invading Turkish armies. social unrest triggered by the rise of Lutheranism challenging the established church, and even climate-related crop crises from what is now referred to as a "Little Ice Age."
The wealth and power of the Bathory family constituted an existential threat to the Hapsburgs. In 1605 Elizabeth controlled 17 castles and reinforced manor houses, and properties extending over about five hundred miles - but she lacked the protection of any male relative - father, husband, brother, or adult son - and thus was an attractive target.
Shelley Puhak's research for this book (25 pages of bibliography plus an additional 30+ pages of endnotes) convincingly documents that the charges against this lady were fabrications, and the "revelations" by the servants about murder and cannibalism were elicited after torture by authorities, all for the purpose of others securing control of her landholdings.
My assessment of the book is similar to what I expressed in my review of Island at the Edge of the World [the history of Rapa Nui]. Both books are scholarly works that correct longstanding myths and misunderstandings, but both are "too much information" for the casual reader. As much as I loved the subject matter discussed here, I wound up having to skim through detailed explications of the politics of the 1600s. But I'm glad I found it and I'm happy to share my thoughts with the few readers here who might also find it of interest.
As someone who occasionally suffers from sleep paralysis, I have noticed something peculiar--at least in my own experiences....
ReplyDeleteVery simply, it almost never happens when I go to sleep in complete darkness. The first time it happened, in fact, I had slept in a room alight with Christmas lights.
Nowadays, if it happens at all, it tends to be if I take a nap during the day...with at least some sunlight streaming in, even if the room is otherwise dark.
Another thing: psychological preparation. I call it "being down there"; a place where I must struggle to escape. But I made up my mind to "look around while I'm down there." Usually, there's a story/dream unfolding, and I want to go ahead and wake up (it's in that "middle" state where it all happens--you are dreaming, yet awake in some way). I came to realize that I CAN actually breathe, even if I can't move as freely--but the latter makes you think you can't do the former...but even if uncomfortable, yeah, you can.
I have thought I was waving my hand to try to wake up, only to find out that I wasn't.
One time, I was caught and I was able to move my arm...my wife (or maybe it was my brother) saw me doing that and was able to wake my fully up.
If you go right back to sleep, it often happens again...so I usually get up at least for a while.
If you ever care to discuss it at greater length, I'd be happy to--no one else I know has it.
Greetings, Aaron. The afternoon nap scenario is a classic trigger, because SP is basically a disruption of a normal sleep cycle, and the need to take a midday nap means the sleep cycle has already been disturbed. Also, when people nap, they often do so in places than their regular bed (family room couch for example) and that is a common association with the phenomenon.
DeleteI have in my office closet three file boxes full of articles, reprints, excerpts from my reading, all of which I had one time envisioned compiling into a book, but my odds of doing so are fading as each year goes by. I probably should incomporate some of the material into posts for the blog.
There is actually quite a bit of good information available.. One of the most interesting is a book by David Hufford entitled "The Terror that comes in the NIght: An experience-centered study of supernatural assault traditions" (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1982), a publication supported by the American Folklore Society. You might check to see if your library has the book or can obtain it on interlibrary loan.
I enjoyed the book, including all the history and footnotes, but as an academic I'm used to that kind of reading, and I think that it's stronger this way. Without it, the whole premise would seem like "he said, she said".
ReplyDeleteRelated reading, with an introduction by a friend of mine - Our Lady of Pain, by John Blackburn.
https://skullsinthestars.com/2014/10/05/our-lady-of-pain-by-john-blackburn/