The Báthory (Polish: Batory) were a Hungarian noble family of the Gutkele clan. The family rose to significant influence in Central Europe during the late middle ages, holding high military, administrative and ecclesiastical positions in the Kingdom of Hungary. In the early modern period, the family brought forth several Princes of Transylvania and one King of Poland. The most notorious member of the family was Elizabeth, known as the Blood Countess for killing hundreds of young women.