Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was born in 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania. He was the second son of Vlad II Dracul, the ruler of Wallachia. Vlad III's father was a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order founded in 1408 that fought against the Ottoman Turks. Vlad III inherited his father's membership in the order and adopted the dragon as his symbol.
Vlad III became ruler of Wallachia in 1448 after his father was assassinated. He was only 17 years old at the time. Vlad III quickly gained a reputation for cruelty and brutality. He is said to have impaled thousands of his enemies on spikes, earning him the nickname "the Impaler."
One of Vlad III's most famous acts of cruelty was the "Night of the Long Knives." On this night, Vlad III invited all of the boyars (noblemen) of Wallachia to a feast. After they had eaten, Vlad III had them all murdered. He then had their bodies impaled on spikes and displayed in the town square.
Vlad III also used his cruelty to terrorize the Ottoman Turks. In 1462, he led a raid into the Ottoman Empire and massacred thousands of Turkish soldiers. He then had their heads impaled on spikes and sent to the Ottoman sultan, Mehmed II.
Mehmed II was furious over Vlad III's actions. He sent an army to Wallachia to conquer the country and capture Vlad III. Vlad III was defeated and fled to Hungary. He was eventually captured and imprisoned by the Hungarians.
Vlad III died in prison in 1476. He was only 45 years old. He is considered one of the most brutal and bloodthirsty rulers in history.
The Vlad the Impaler Legend
The legend of Vlad the Impaler has been told and retold for centuries. He has been portrayed as a monster and a madman. However, some people also see him as a hero who fought for his people against the Ottoman Turks.
The truth about Vlad the Impaler is probably somewhere in between. He was a complex and contradictory figure who was capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. He was a product of his time, and his actions must be understood in the context of the brutal world he lived in.