Vlad the Impaler

## Vlad III

### Relatives

Vlad II Dracul (Father) Radu the Handsome (Young Brother) Jusztina Szilagyi (wife)

### Occupation

staunch defender of Wallachian independence and Christian Europe.

## Physical description

### Height

5'7" (170 cm) to 5'10" (178 cm)

Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was a ruler of Wallachia, a region in present-day Romania, in the 15th century. He is known for his brutal tactics in warfare, particularly his habit of impaling his enemies on wooden stakes. Vlad III was born in 1431 and was the second son of Vlad II Dracul, who was part of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order that was dedicated to defending Christianity against the Ottoman Empire. Vlad III was imprisoned by the Ottomans as a child, and was released only after his father agreed to submit to Ottoman rules When Vlad III became ruler of Wallachia in 1456, he was determined to resist Ottoman influence and to defend his people against invasion. He became known for his brutal tactics in warfare, including impaling his enemies on wooden stakes, which earned him the nickname "Vlad the Impaler." Vlad III's tactics were effective in defending Wallachia against Ottoman invasion, but they also earned him a reputation for cruelty and brutality. He was known for his strict punishments for even minor offenses, and it is said that he once invited beggars and the homeless to a feast, only to impale them all on stakes. Vlad III's reputation for cruelty has made him a popular figure in folklore and popular culture, and he is often associated with the legend of Dracula, a vampire who drinks blood and preys on the living. However, there is little historical evidence to suggest that Vlad III had any connection to the Dracula legend, and his legacy is primarily one of a ruthless and effective military leader who fought to defend his people against foreign invaders.

## Origin

Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, was born in 1431 in the province of Transylvania, which was then part of the Kingdom of Hungary. His father, Vlad II Dracul, was a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order that was dedicated to defending Christianity against the Ottoman Empire. Vlad III spent much of his childhood in captivity, as his father was forced to submit to Ottoman rule and offer his sons as hostages to ensure his loyalty. Vlad III was released from captivity in 1448, after his father rebelled against Ottoman rule and regained control of Wallachia, a region that was then part of the Kingdom of Hungary. Vlad III's early years were marked by conflict and political instability, as he struggled to maintain his family's power and resist Ottoman influence. He became ruler of Wallachia in 1456, after his older brother was killed in battle, and he spent much of his reign fighting to defend his people against Ottoman invasion. Despite his reputation for cruelty and brutality, Vlad III was also known for his efforts to reform the legal system in Wallachia and to promote justice and fairness. He created a system of laws and punishments that were seen as harsh but fair, and he was known for his belief in personal responsibility and accountability. Overall, Vlad III's origins were marked by conflict and instability, and his experiences as a hostage and a prisoner of war likely shaped his fierce resistance to Ottoman influence and his brutal tactics in warfare.