jan 1, 1448 - "Dracula"

Description:

The medieval ruler who has rightly or wrongly been adopted into the legend of "Dracula", Vlad Dracula, also known as "Vlad the Impaler", was the Voivode (Ruler/Prince), of Wallachia on and off for almost 30 years.

His notoriety comes from his stubborn resistance against the encroaching Ottoman Empire as well as his own dogged ambition to maintain power. He would become known for executing and impaling his enemies, both foreign and domestic.

By this time in the 15th century the Ottoman Empire had conquered Constantinople and was looking to advance further into Europe. Vlad's domain of Wallachia lay on the border between the powerful and militarized Kingdom of Hungary and the ever-expanding Ottomans.

Vlad would attempt to terrorise his enemies into submission with mixed success. He would ultimately be killed in battle in the winter of 1446/1447.

While his life bears little in common with that of Dracula, it is the origin of the name used by Bram Stoker.

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