Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was a prince of Wallachia infamous for his brutality in battle and the gruesome punishments he inflicted on his enemies. In 1897, Bram Stoker published the classic novel “Dracula,” which featured a vampire named Count Dracula who fed on human blood, hunted his victims, and killed them in the dead of night. Many believe that Stoker’s bloodthirsty character was partly inspired by the terrifying ruler of Wallachia in the mid-1400s.
The Gruesome Legacy of Vlad the Impaler
Vlad III earned his fearsome nickname for impaling more than 20,000 people and killing as many as 60,000 others during his bloody reign. Stories even tell of his disturbing dining habits, where he would dip his bread in the blood of his impaled enemies. While tales of the “real Dracula” have surely been embellished over the years, the true history of Vlad the Impaler is far scarier than anything Bram Stoker could have dreamed up.
The Son Of The Dragon Is Born
Vlad III, born between 1428 and 1431, grew up in a time of unrest in Wallachia. His father, Vlad II Dracul, was a member of the Christian crusading Order of the Dragon. Young Vlad had two brothers, Mircea and Radu. The family’s territory was constantly embroiled in the conflict between Christian-ruled Europe and the Muslim-ruled Ottoman Empire.
In 1442, the Ottomans invited Vlad Dracul to a diplomatic meeting, taking him and his two sons as hostages. While in captivity, Vlad and his brother Radu received lessons in science, philosophy, and the art of war. Back home, a coup overthrew their father, and he was killed in 1447 while their oldest brother was tortured, blinded, and buried alive.
Vlad III was eventually freed and began using the name Vlad Dracula, meaning “son of the dragon.” His return to Wallachia marked the beginning of his brutal reign.
Vlad’s Rise to Power and Embrace of Brutality
In 1448, Vlad returned to Wallachia to reclaim the throne from Vladislav II, who had taken his father’s place. After a series of power shifts, Vlad returned in 1456 with an army and Hungarian support, successfully taking back the throne.
Legend has it that Vlad personally beheaded his rival Vladislav on the battlefield, and his reign of terror truly began. Some historians believe that the horrific deaths of his family members influenced Vlad III’s transformation into Vlad the Impaler. Vlad’s brutality continued as he hosted a banquet for his opposition, resulting in a gruesome bloodbath.
Vlad’s Grisly Methods
Vlad the Impaler was undeniably brutal, but he found support among Christian Europe for his defense of Wallachia against the Muslim Ottoman forces. Even Pope Pius II admired his military feats, seeing him as a protector of Christendom. However, Vlad seemed to revel in his own brutality.
During one campaign against the Ottoman Turks in 1462, Vlad wrote to an ally, describing the slaughter of peasants, men, women, and children. The Turks gave him the nickname “kaziklu bey,” meaning “impaling prince.” Impalement was Vlad’s preferred method of execution, a gruesome process involving the slow insertion of a pole through the victim’s body.
Vlad’s Legacy of Violence
Vlad the Impaler’s brutal reputation spread throughout Europe, depicted in many works of art during the Middle Ages. Contemporary accounts claimed that he killed tens of thousands during his reign, with some estimating the death toll at 80,000 people.
His bloody rule came to an end in 1462 when Hungarian forces took him prisoner. The Ottomans had sought to replace him with his milder brother, Radu. Vlad was imprisoned by the Hungarians, and not much is known about his time in captivity. In 1476, he was released and married Jusztina Szilágyi, a relative of the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. Vlad died in battle later that same year, and his remains have never been found.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula: Inspiration from Vlad the Impaler
While Vlad the Impaler’s atrocities are terrifying, the extent of his influence on Bram Stoker’s classic novel remains a topic of debate. Stories of Vlad’s bloodthirsty exploits may have played a role in inspiring Stoker.
In 1820, the British consul to Wallachia, William Wilkinson, published a book titled “An Account Of The Principalities Of Wallachia And Moldavia,” which helped popularize the story of the real Dracula. Stoker likely came across the name Dracula in Wilkinson’s book.
Regardless of the degree of inspiration, Stoker’s Dracula took on a life of its own. It has become one of the most adapted horror stories, with numerous movies, television shows, and books based on the character.
Key Differences
While Vlad the Impaler and Count Dracula share some similarities, such as a taste for blood and living in Eastern European castles, there are significant differences. Vlad the Impaler ruled Wallachia, not Transylvania, and there is no concrete evidence that he actually consumed blood.
Conclusion
Vlad the Impaler’s reign of terror and Bram Stoker’s creation of Count Dracula have left an indelible mark on history and literature. While the true extent of the inspiration remains a subject of debate, there is no denying the horror and brutality associated with the real Dracula.
Yes, Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III, was a real historical figure who ruled Wallachia in the 15th century.
Many believe that Vlad the Impaler partially inspired Bram Stoker’s creation of Count Dracula, although the extent of the inspiration is debated.
Vlad the Impaler’s preferred method of execution was impalement, where a pole was slowly inserted through the victim’s body. He also used other gruesome methods.
Vlad’s reign came to an end when Hungarian forces took him prisoner, and he died in battle.
Vlad the Impaler ruled Wallachia, not Transylvania, and there is no concrete evidence that he consumed blood, unlike the fictional Count Dracula.
