Vlad 'The Count' Dracula - the History and Legend

Legend

The history of Vlad Tepes is enveloped in mystery and legend. The truth is that nobody knows for sure where the legend ends to leave room for history.

Being not only a historical but also a literary and folkloric image, Vlad was chosen by writer Bram Stoker as the hero of his novel published in 1897. Since then, Dracula and Transylvania, the land that shelters his mysterious castle filled with ghosts and vampires somewhere in the dark forests, became the subject of over 750 films, documentaries and short stories inspired by the Irish writer's novel.

They say that the transformation of Vlad Tepes into Count Dracula with a lust for blood is due to the fact that, according to the custom in that time, winners of fights would satisfy their thirst by drinking the blood of the defeated.

History

Vlad Tepes was born in the town of Sighisoara, in Transylvania in 1431. He later became ruler of Wallachia. His father, Vlad Dracul, was a knight in the Order of the Dragon, a knightly order in Eastern Europe aimed at stopping the Ottoman Empire's expansion.

The Order of the Dragon's emblem was a dragon (Ottomans) and a cross (sign of Christianity). Vlad Dracul carried this symbol everywhere, on flags, coins and seals.

The emblem of Dracul family

Vlad Dracul's second son was Vlad II - DRACULA. The A at the end of the word "Dracul" (devil) was added as a way to establish affiliation - Dracula, the son of Dracul.

The nickname "Tepes" was assigned only after his death in 1476, because of the way he punished the Turkish army, impaling them. Impaling was a crude way of execution, the victim being stuck in a sharp par, thick as a human arm. They say about Vlad that he liked mass executions, the sharp pars forming a kind of forest. To enjoy these "shows" Vlad used to organize barbecues in front of those who died in misery.

As a child, Vlad Tepes lived as a hostage to the Turks. While his family was murdered by them, he became aware of the tortures they had endured. It seems that this is the reason which poisoned his soul. When he became the ruler of Wallachia, he punished criminals by cutting, skinning, decapitating or impaling them.

Impaling

Vlad was known for his sadism but he was also respected for his fight against the Turks. He was respected both as a fighter and as a ruler who did not tolerate injustice. He was a hero whom people adored and feared at the same time.

Victor Hugo in "Legends of the Centuries", replays the way in which Vlad Tepes welcomed the army of Sultan Mohammed II when they came to conquer Wallachia. Heading towards Targoviste, the Turkish army was terrified of the view offered by Tepes: burned houses, burned fields, and poisoned water wells.

It all culminated with the image near the walls of the castle where Vlad Tepes harbored a huge forest of bodies. Terrified by the scene and the smell of the corpses of 20,000 Turkish prisoners stuck in pars, Mohammed's officers withdrew and recognized Vlad's victory.

For Romanians, Vlad Tepes remains the ruler during who's reign you could drink from Targoviste Fortress's fountain, with a cup of solid gold without worrying about anyone stealing it (historical sources confirm the existence of such a cup which was used until the day that Vlad Tepes died).

Vlad's death

There is little known about the death of Dracula. The most popular story is that he was killed in a battle against the Turks, near Bucharest in December 1476. Others argue that he was killed during a separate battle.

But what happened with his body? This is another mysterious fabrication of legends, which none can be confirmed

Most historians believe that Vlad was buried near the Snagov Monastery's altar. The monastery is located on an island in the middle of Snagov Lake, and the only way to reach it is by boats. What is certain is that his head was cut off and taken to Constantinople, for the entire Ottoman Empire to see that the scary Wallachian ruler's reign was finally over.