Murder of Crones

Join hosts Zabrina, Jen, and Kori as they delve into the chilling tale of Elizabeth Bathory, the infamous Blood Countess of the 1600s. Explore the blend of historical truths, myths, and superstitions surrounding her life, and uncover the political and social dynamics that fuelled her legend. This Halloween edition promises a captivating journey through history's dark corners. Don't miss out on this intriguing episode of "Murder of Crones."

Show Notes:

Keywords: Elizabeth Bathory, Blood Countess, historical myths, Hungary, nobility, witchcraft, gender bias, political intrigue, folklore, true crime

Summary: This episode delves into the life legacy of Elizabeth Bathory, often referred to as the Blood Countess. The discussion explores the historical context of her life. The investigations and accusations against her, the myths and legends that have arisen over time, and the political and social factors that may have influenced her story. The speakers analyze the blurred lines between fact and fiction, ultimately questioning the veracity of the claims against her and the motivations behind them. 

Takeaways:

• Elizabeth Bathory was a powerful noblewoman in Hungary
• Her life was marked by accusation of extreme cruelty and murder.
• Investigations into her actions were influenced by political motives.
• The number of her alleged victims  vary widely in historical accounts.
• Bathory’s story has been embellished over time, leading to myths.
• She was never formally tried for her alleged crimes.
• The context of gender and power dynamics played a significant role in her story.
• Many of the legends surrounding her are unsubstantiated.
• Her legacy continues to be a topic of fascination and debate.
• The historical record is often murky, making it difficult to discern truth from myth.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Setup

13:48 The Rise of Power and Cruelty

16:15 Escalation of Torture and Murmurs of Disapperance 

18:58 The Dark Nature of Human Behaviour

22:11 Elizabeth Bathory’s Rise to Infamy

25:06 Investigating the Accusations 

27:46 The Trial and its Complications 

35:30 The Dark Legacy of Elizabeth Bathory

38:56 Myth vs Reality: The Truth Behind the Legend

42:49 The Origins of the Blood Countess Myth

46:58 Political Intrigue and Gender Dynamics

51:23 The Intersection of Legend and Historical Fact

52:43 Exploring the Story of Elizabeth Bathory 

54:26 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments 

 

Referrence

Craft, Kimberly L. Infamous Lady: The True Story of Countess Erzsébet Báthory. Academia Historical Press, 2009.

Craft, Kimberly L. “Letters from Cachtice: New Findings in the Báthory Archives.” Central European Review of History, Vol. 3 (2012).

“Elizabeth Báthory.” (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Báthory

“Elizabeth Báthory Facts.” (n.d.). Elizabeth Bathory: The Blood Countess. http://elizabethbathory.net

Folkloric/Secondary “Blood bath” legend first appeared in Valentinus Rozsnyai’s pamphlet Tragoedia von der Bößen Gräfin Elisabeth Báthory zu Csejthe (1729).

History Collection. (n.d.). The Real Countess Dracula: 12 Facts about the Life and Crimes of Elizabeth Bathory. http://historycollection.com

History Tools. (n.d.). The Blood Countess: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Case of Elizabeth Bathory. http://historytools.org

Letters from the Báthory Family Archive (Nyírbátor Collection, 16th c.) — referenced in Craft (2009).

Folkloric/Unverified Accounts – Rumor of a peasant lover and secret pregnancy (László Turoczy, Magyar Népmondák a Felvidékr  1908).

Magyari, István. Letter to the Palatine of Hungary (Miklós Zrinyi), ca. 1602–1604. Hungarian State Archive Ref. HS-Báthory-1604/7.

Nagy, László. The Blood Countess of Hungary. Budapest Historical Society, 1895 (reprint 1962).

Pálffy, Géza. The Ottoman–Habsburg Frontier and the Kingdom of Hungary (1526–1608). Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Penrose, Valentine. The Bloody Countess: Atrocities of Erzsebet Bathory. 1963.

Racz, István. “Witchcraft and Class Politics in 17th-Century Hungary.” History Today, Vol. 67 (2017).

Szádeczky, Dr. Irma. “Gender and Power in Sixteenth-Century Hungary.” Hungarian Historical Review, Vol. 4 (2017): 211–229.

Testimony of Dorottya Szentes, 1611 trial record, Transcript Collection #II-34, National Archives of Hungary.

Thorne, Tony. “Bathory Revisited: Fact vs Folklore.” European Journal of Cultural History, Vol. 11 (1999): 45–61.

Thorne, Tony. Countess Dracula: The Life and Times of the Blood Countess Elizabeth Báthory. Bloomsbury, 1997.

Tóth, Endre. Erzsébet Báthory and Her Times: Trial Records and Historical Context. Budapest Historical Institute, 2005.

Transylvanian Court Records, 1560–1600 (cited in Craft 2009). Folkloric/Secondary “Clawed glove” and “honey torture” stories from rural legends (Hungarian Folklore Journal, Vol. 12, 1898).

 

Contact Information: Find @MurderofCrones on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. Email : mofcrones@gmail.com

Join us as we unravel the tangled web of media and pop culture's impact on body image. From the 'Twiggy' era to today's Instagram filters, we expose the absurdity of chasing the 'perfect' body. Tune in for a cheeky critique of diet culture and a call for embracing all shapes and sizes. It's time to ditch the scales and celebrate real beauty!

 

Show Notes:

Keywords: diet culture, body image, feminism, health, weight loss, patriarchy, women’s rights, societal standards, wellness and lifestyle, social media

Summary: In this episode, co-host’s Kori, Zabrina, and Jen explore the pervasive influence of diet culture on women’s body image and health, tracing back to the 1920s to present. They discuss the societal pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, the emergence of diet fads, and the psychological impact of dieting. The conversation highlights personal experiences with body image and the historical context of dieting practices, including the rise of Weight Watchers and the normalization of diet pills. Ultimately, the episode critiques the flawed belief systems surrounding health and weight loss, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach to well-being. 

Takeaways: 

• Diet culture is deeply ingrained in society and affects self-perception. 
• The 1920s marked the beginning of mainstream dieting for women.
• Twiggy’s thinness set a new standard for body image in the 60s.
• Weight Watchers helped to enforce a moral framework around food consumption.
• Diet pills were widely prescribed without consideration for health risks.
• Disordered eating was often dismissed as trivial issues.
• The ideal body image has shifted over the decades but remains influenced by patriarchy.
• Public weigh-ins and accountability in diet programs can be psychologically damaging.
• The conversation around health should include emotional and mental well-being.
• Personal experiences with body image reveal the lasting impact of societal standards.

Chapters:

00:00 - Tech Troubles and Puppy Chaos

01:25 - Introduction to Diet Culture

05:48 - The Myths of Weight Loss and Health 

08:25 - Defining Diet Culture

10:08 - The 1920s: A Decade of Dieting

14:34 - The Dark Side of Dieting: Tapeworms and Nicotine

18:13 - Cultural Shifts in the 1940’s and 50’s

22:05 - The Domestic Ideal and Body Image

27:07 - The Rise of DIet Culture

35:31 - Changing Standards

References:

Bordo, S. (1993). Unbearable Weight : Feminism, Western Culture, And The Body. Berkeley Univ Of California Press.

British Columbia Ministry of Health. (2023, March 28). *Province takes actions to prevent shortage of diabetes drug*. Retrieved from Government of British Columbia website.

Cameron, C., Craig, C. L., & Paolin, S. (1997). Local health-related behaviors: Are there differences? Canadian Journal of Public Health, 88(1), 32–36. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9220950/

Jones, J. M., Bennett, S., Olmsted, M. P., Lawson, M. L., & Rodin, G. (2001). Disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in teenaged girls: A school-based study. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 165(5), 547–552. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.165.5.547

Minks, B. (2022). The Anti-Diet Workbook. Simon and Schuster.

National Institute of Nutrition. (1996). Tracking nutrition trends: 1989–1994. Ottawa, ON: National Institute of Nutrition.

Contact Information: Find @MurderofCrones on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. Email : mofcrones@gmail.com

Buckle up for a wild ride through the annals of medical history as we tackle the curious case of hysteria—a ”condition” that had doctors scratching their heads and women rolling their eyes. Discover how the so-called treatments led to the invention of the vibrator, turning a medical misstep into a modern-day marvel. It’s a tale of misguided medicine, gender politics, and a gadget that went from the doctor’s office to the bedside table.

Show Notes:

Keywords: feminism, hysteria, vibrators, female empowerment, sexual health, history of sexuality, Rachel Maines, medical history, women’s rights, sexual liberation 

Summary: This conversation explores the historical context of female hysteria, the evolution of vibrators, and the societal implications of women’s sexual health. The hosts discuss the medical treatments for hysteria, the role of vibrators in women’s empowerment, and the cultural perceptions surrounding female pleasure. They also highlight the work of Rachel Maines and the impact of vibrators on women’s sexual liberation. 

Takeaways: 

• Hysteria was historically linked to women’s emotions and sexuality. 
• Vibrators were initially seen as medical devices, not sexual tools.
• Rachel Maines’ research highlighted the connection between vibrators and female empowerment.
• Many women were treated for hysteria due to societal expectation of female behaviour.
• The medical community often pathologized normal female experiences.
• Coin-operated vibrators were a unique aspect of early 20th-century culture.
• The perception of female pleasure has evolved but still faces challenges.
• Vibrators were marketed as personal massagers to avoid stigma.
• The history of vibrators reflects broader societal attitudes towards women’s sexuality.
• Understanding the past can inform current discussions about female pleasure and health.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to the Murder of Crones

00:01 - Exploring Female Hysteria and Its Historical Context

05:11 - The Disturbing Treatments for Hysteria

09:31 - The Intervention of Vibrators and Their Purpose

13:09 - The Evolution of Vibrators Through History

16:58 - The Evolution of Personal Massage 

17:59 - Historical Context of Female Pleasure Devices

19:01 - Hand Crank Vibrators: A Look Back

21:46 - The Advent of Portable Vibrators

28:18 - The Hand-Worn Vibrator: A New Approach

30:07 - Coin Operated Vibrators in Hotel Rooms

References: 

A Free Ride (A Grass Sandwich). (ca. 1915). Silent stag film, United States. (Referenced as one of 

the earliest surviving American pornographic films).

Antique Vibrator Museum. (n.d.). Good Vibrations, San Francisco. Founded by Joani Blank; curated 

by Dr. Carol Queen. Retrieved from https://www.goodvibes.com/museum

Hippocrates. (4th century BCE). Writings on the “wandering womb” (hysteria) as the cause of hysteria 

symptoms. 

Hysteria. (2011). Directed by Tanya Wexler; starring Maggie Gyllenhaal & Hugh Dancy. Sony

Pictures Classics. (A fictionalized retelling of the vibrator’s invention).

Landers, A. (1985, July 1). Ann Landers’ advice column [Syndicated newspaper column]. Chicago 

Tribune. (Referenced survey of women’s sexual preferences).

Lloyd, E. A. (2005). The case of the female orgasm: Bias in the science of evolution.Harvard University

Maines, R. P. (1999). The technology of orgasm: “Hysteria,” the vibrator, and women’s sexual

satisfaction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Puts, D. A., Dawood, K., & Welling, L. L. (2012). Why women have orgasms: An evolutionary analysis.

Archives of Sexual Behavior, 41(5), 1127–1143.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogs (1890s–1920s). Advertisements for “female massagers” and health 

devices.

Smith, E. H. (1903). Diseases of women: Diagnosis and treatment. (Referenced for historical 

attitudes toward masturbation and hysteria).

19th-century medical practices: Treatments for hysteria including pelvic massage, hydrotherapy, and early 

electromechanical vibrators (Granville’s Percuteur, 1880s).