Vlad the Impaler: The True Story of Vlad III Drăculea

Few historical figures inspire as much fascination as Vlad III of Wallachia (1431–1476), better known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula. To Romanians, he is remembered as a fierce ruler who defended his land against the Ottomans. To Western Europe, he became the terrifying inspiration for Count Dracula in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel.

But behind the legends of blood and cruelty lies the story of a real man: a prince born into chaos, raised between cultures, who fought to protect his throne and his family’s legacy. In this article, we’ll explore Vlad’s life, reigns, battles, and family ties — painting a fuller picture of the man behind the myth.

Early Life: Born in the Shadow of the Dragon (1431–1447)

1431: Vlad III was born in the Transylvanian city of Sighișoara, where his father, Vlad II Dracul, had taken refuge. His mother is believed to have been Cneajna of Moldavia, though some sources suggest other noblewomen. His father, Vlad II, was a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order dedicated to fighting the Ottoman Turks. The name Dracul (“the Dragon”) came from this order, and Vlad III inherited the nickname Drăculea — “son of the Dragon.”

Vlad grew up with two brothers: Mircea II, the eldest, and Radu the Handsome, the youngest. The brothers’ lives would be marked by rivalry, alliances, and betrayal.

In 1442, Vlad II was forced to give two of his sons — Vlad III and Radu — as hostages to the Ottoman court of Sultan Murad II. For several years, young Vlad lived in Adrianople (modern Edirne, Turkey), learning Turkish, military tactics, and diplomacy. While Radu adapted well and befriended the Ottomans, Vlad grew resentful, shaping his lifelong hatred of Turkish rule.

First Reign: A Prince in Turmoil (1448)

In 1447, Vlad II Dracul and his eldest son Mircea were killed by rivals backed by Hungary’s John Hunyadi. Vlad III, then about 17 years old, seized the chance to claim Wallachia’s throne with Ottoman support.

October 1448: Vlad briefly became Voivode of Wallachia. But his reign lasted only a matter of weeks. Hunyadi returned from battle and drove Vlad into exile. This short reign was the first of three — Vlad’s rule would be marked by constant interruptions, betrayals, and foreign meddling.

Second Reign: The Rise of Vlad the Impaler (1456–1462)

After years in Moldavia and Transylvania, Vlad returned to Wallachia in 1456 with Hungarian support. At around 25 years old, he defeated his rival Vladislav II in battle and secured the throne.

Vlad knew Wallachia was caught between two giants: the Ottoman Empire to the south and the Kingdom of Hungary to the north. To survive, he needed ruthless control at home. He cracked down on boyar (noble) conspiracies, often by execution.

One infamous story tells of Vlad inviting hundreds of boyars to a banquet in 1457 — and having them impaled or forced into slavery for plotting against him.

Vlad perfected the gruesome punishment of impalement — driving a stake through victims and leaving them to die slowly. Though horrifying, it was a powerful symbol of his authority. His enemies called him Țepeș (the Impaler), a name that endures to this day.

In 1462, Sultan Mehmed II, conqueror of Constantinople, demanded Vlad pay tribute. Instead, Vlad launched a campaign of terror:

• He ambushed Turkish forces along the Danube.

• In June 1462, he carried out the legendary Night Attack at Târgoviște, where his forces raided the Ottoman camp, nearly killing the Sultan himself.

• When Mehmed’s army reached Wallachia, they found 20,000 impaled corpses lining the roads — a psychological tactic that shocked even seasoned warriors.

Though Vlad’s resistance was fierce, the Ottomans installed his brother Radu the Handsome as ruler. Vlad fled to Transylvania, seeking support from King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary — only to be imprisoned for over a decade.

Third Reign and Death (1476)

In 1475, Vlad was released from captivity, once again promising to fight the Ottomans. With the backing of Hungary, he regained the Wallachian throne briefly in 1476. But his return was short-lived. Later that year, Vlad was killed in battle against Ottoman forces near Bucharest. His exact burial site remains uncertain: legends claim his remains lie at Snagov Monastery, but no conclusive evidence has been found.

Vlad the Family Man: Wives and Children

Though remembered for cruelty, Vlad also had a family life often overlooked by history.

First Wife: Believed to have been a relative of the Moldavian prince or possibly linked to the Hunyadi family. According to legend, she died in

, leaping from the walls of Poenari Castle during an Ottoman attack rather than face capture.

Second Wife: After his imprisonment in Hungary, Vlad married a relative of King Matthias Corvinus around 1475. This alliance gave him legitimacy and support in his final campaign.

Sources differ, but Vlad is believed to have had at least three sons: Mihnea cel Rău (Mihnea the Evil) – later ruled Wallachia briefly (1508–1509). Two other sons, less well-documented, may have been raised in Moldavia or Hungary. His lineage continued in Wallachian nobility for generations, though none achieved his notoriety.

Legacy of Vlad the Impaler

To Romanians, Vlad is often remembered as a national hero who defended Wallachia against overwhelming Ottoman power. His brutality, though extreme, was seen as necessary in a time of treachery and invasion. To Western chroniclers, however, he became a monster — stories of his cruelty spread across Europe in pamphlets, painting him as a bloodthirsty tyrant. These tales would later inspire Bram Stoker’s Dracula, though Stoker’s vampire was only loosely based on Vlad.

• Defender of Wallachia: He preserved independence, however briefly, against one of the most powerful empires in history.

• Feared Ruler: His name became synonymous with cruelty, though many acts were exaggerated by enemies.

• Cultural Icon: Vlad Dracula lives on in literature, film, and legend — blurring the line between man and myth.

  
  

Vlad the Impaler’s life was short but fierce — a story of power, betrayal, and survival in a violent age. Born in 1431, dead by 1476, his 45 years left an imprint on history far larger than his small principality of Wallachia. Behind the gruesome tales lies a man who was also a son, a brother, a husband, and a father. His family ties shaped his alliances and rivalries, just as much as his cruelty shaped his reputation.

Vlad Dracula remains a paradox: both national hero and global villain, both protector and predator. Perhaps that is why, five centuries later, his story still captivates us.