Born in Transylvania on August 7th 1560, Elizabeth was raised her governess Ilona Joo (who was thought to practice black magic) for her entire childhood. She was well educated and could read German, Latin and Greek. When she reached the age of 11 she was betrothed to Ferenec Nadasdy, who at the time was 16 and born to another noble family. After the engagement she was sent to live with her fiances family.
However, at the age of 13 Elizabeth gave birth to a baby girl named Anastasia, whose father was not her betrothed but a peasant. Whether the father was a lover or a servant who raped her we don't know, but based on other events going on at the time it is likely to be the latter. Hearing the news Ferenec killed the father of the child (this is thought to be done by setting a pack of wild dogs after him) but the baby was hidden from view. As there is no further information on Anastasia, it is believed that she was raised by a family in a lower class and grew up having no idea of her heritage.
The Wedding took place the next year in 1575 when Elizabeth was 15 and Ferenec was 20, there were over 4,500 guests. Elizabeth kept her surname as Bathory as she was of a higher class than her husband. As a wedding gift Ferenc gave his wife the Castle Cséjthe which was part of the Nadasdy estate, the castle is located in modern day Slovakia.
The Wedding took place the next year in 1575 when Elizabeth was 15 and Ferenec was 20, there were over 4,500 guests. Elizabeth kept her surname as Bathory as she was of a higher class than her husband. As a wedding gift Ferenc gave his wife the Castle Cséjthe which was part of the Nadasdy estate, the castle is located in modern day Slovakia.