“The Impaler” was one of the most cruel men in the history of humanity. The number of people who died by his hand or his people cannot be counted as there were so many. The number of deaths as reported from history is up to 100,000 people. The deaths do not include the number of villages he burnt to the ground and many fortresses destroyed. Vlad did not care about killing women or young people. Vlad was one of the most evil men I have ever researched in history.
Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, was a member of the House of Drăculești, a branch of the House of Basarab, also known by his patronymic name: Dracula
Source: wikipedia.org (click on photo)
Vlad’s (Vlad III) 15th century, Prince of Wallachia, left a trail of bodies and death. His legacy is that of blood, death and torture. Vlad was a tyrant, and he enjoyed torturing innocent people in the most excruciating way possible. Vlad had a way to keep enemies at bay, and to scare people from attacking he and his forces. Vlad would impale victims. Meaning he would take wood, and put the person on the wood (alive). Their body would be impaled by the wood. The person at times would be alive and screaming with wood driven through their body and hanging feet into the air. This was a form of psychological warfare.
There was an occasion when Vlad impaled thousands of people at one time. Some were alive and some were dead. Vlad decided to sit down and have a meal in the middle of all the dying or dead people (bodies impaled). There were times that people did try to stop Vlad’s rule, only to be so mortified by the impaled bodies, they turned back. In my opinion, this may have been due to them thinking of witchcraft (due to the era).
Vlad eating a meal with the impaled all around him: Source: wiki
Vlad was born in Transylvania, present day Romania. Vlad’s mother is believed to be the second wife of Vlad Dracul, Princess Cneajna of Moldavia. Vlad’s father known to be ”Dracul” was a member of the Order of the Dragon (Societas Draconistrarum). Vlad was initiated into the order at just age five. Keep in mind during this era, men had many mistresses and it was hard to track lineage.
Vlad stated in a letter, “I have killed peasants men and women, old and young, who lived at Oblucitza and Novoselo, where the Danube flows into the sea, up to Rahova, which is located near Chilia, from the lower Danube up to such places as Samovit and Ghighen. We killed 23,884 Turks without counting those whom we burned in homes or the Turks whose heads were cut by our soldiers…” — Vlad
wikipedia
Prince Charles admits to being related to Vlad: I found it interesting that Prince Charles publicly claimed that genealogy shows that he is a distant relative of Vlad the Impaler. The claim accompanied his announcement of a pledge to help conserve the forested areas of Transylvania. Prince Charles admits to being related to a family of people who were mass murderers, to conserve a forest? I would NEVER admit to this fact, would you? Never want my name associated with “Vlad, the impaler.” Prince Charles has some guts, that’s for sure!
I respect Prince Charles for admitting such things publicly, in order to preserve nature, history and forested areas. He tarnished his own name for the sake of wildlife preservation.
“The Romania police arent know for their honesty or competency. So they are probably hiding the true level of disappeared kids…” “So why would Prince Charles be interested in a shithole like Romania?…………” (bulletproofaquarium author of quote)
What is the deal with the missing children in Romania, by the way? What is going on there? Had no idea that missing children was such a huge problem in Romania. Romania had 3200 children missing in one year! Madness.
Vlad was imprisoned in Hungary from 1464 – 1474. A relative intervened on his behalf, and he was released from prison. Vlad had traveled to Hungary to ask for help (and money) as he was broke. Instead of receiving help, he was thrown in prison and was “duped” by his friend, Matthias Corvinus.
In Liz’s words: Vlad’s friend probably said, “hey come on over, I will help you.” Then when Vlad arrived, his friend had him thrown in the dungeon. It appears that his friend was growing tired of the war, and even forged a letter in Vlad’s name to the Ottomans and offered a peace offering. It appears from my reading (my opinion) that Corvinus was out of money, tired of the war and just wanted to go home. However, one of Glad’s relatives managed to get him out of prison.
Vlad declared his third reign (after prison) in 1476. Vlad began preparations for the reconquest of Wallachia in 1476 with Hungarian support (he obviously had a thirst for war, no doubt).
Vlad was brutally killed, (finally) only 2 months after his third reign. I am guessing people were most likely sick of his crazy killing sprees and tyranny. The exact date of his death is still under debate. It is said to be in December of 1476.
Vlad’s head was taken to Constantinople as a trophy, and his body was buried unceremoniously by his rival, Basarab Laiota, possibly at Comana, a monastery (speculation…body never found.) The place where Vlad was supposedly buried was dug up, the tomb was opened and there were only bones of animals…no Vlad. People have been looking for Vlad’s body, and I have not found any solid research that confirms his body was ever found.
My guess is…although bloody and gory, is that I can imagine Vlad’s body being chopped into pieces and burned with a very hot heat, or his body being impaled, as he had done to woman and so many innocent people. I have many conspiracy theories on this era of history. These are my theories – not facts.
Vlad the impaler was one of the most evil men in history. The history of he and his family sounds fictional, although it is not. Vlad had to be completely insane. Who puts tons of bodies on sticks in the front of your fortress, to ward off strangers and opposition?
Vlad – I vote you the craziest SOB in history, along with Hitler.
Prince Charles – Have no idea why you would ever admit to being to related to Vlad “The Impaler.”
Why are there so many children missing in Romania? What is up with that? Had no idea until I began the research for this post.
Vlad, Prince Charles, missing children in Romania….I don’t know what to say…crazy.
Why Prince Charles ever want his name in the same sentence as Vlad, the impaler? That is not the thesis of this post. Just questions I am wondering.
The thesis: Vlad – you were one psycho, crazy SOB, and I am glad your head was cut off. Vlad, I am glad your body was never found, as a proper burial was not in order. Vlad killed so many people (women and men) in a slow, dying tortuous way, by impalement. Vlad should have met the same fate. Vlad did not give proper burials. He may have met the same fate, as his body was never recovered, and noone really knows….
Note: Vlad did many more horrid acts that I cannot post. The acts were so evil, they are shocking. I have done much research on Vlad over the past few years. Decided cannot post much of Vlad’s deeds, as they are an abomination. I call him “Vlad the Devil.”
I often research history. Many drafts in the works, not as bloody and gory as this piece.
Liz
the house where Vlad Tepes, known as Dracul, was born. Nowadays it’s a restaurant (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/8851383/Prince-of-Wales-campaigning-to-save-Count-Dracula-forests.html (article about the Prince admitting to being related to Vlad, the Impaler)
http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199540 (Quote author – Blogger BulletProofAquarium)
http://poundpuplegacy.org/node/41930. (Romania missing children)Charles Philip Arthur George [Internet]. 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/prince-charles-9244936, August 1Dracula – between myth and reality:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/rsa/_content/_public/_htm/dracula.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_the_Impaler#Name
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impalement (history of impalement – used by many countries in history)
https://www.internationalrewardscentre.com/component/content/article/401-childrens-section/666-romania-significant-rise-in-missing-children-over-past-decade.html (Romanian missing children)
Brits want Charles to be king? Interesting read
Facts from Wiki – click on photos
Weekly Writing Challenge:
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/passive-voice-challenge/
mystudentstruggles
/ August 18, 2012Ok, I have never heard of this before. As for offending anyone I can’t see how it would if it’s all historically accurate. Romania might be a bit miffed but they can’t deny the truth. It is a little gory and violent but then if you hide that you’re not telling the whole story. Maybe put a warning at the beginning so those who are sensitive will know not to read it?
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012Vlad is where the vampire lure originated.
The vampire stories of old mostly got their ideas from Vlad’s massacres.
This is what Vlad did in history. It was recorded. The vampire lure comes from Vlad III.
Many books on this era of history, which was a bloody and dark period.
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@mystudentstruggles – no warning because this history and Vlad’s evil acts were recorded and documented.
History can be gory and bloody.
If you study wars, Vietnam, any war…Killing and torture were common place in the history of humanity.
This is my review of tyranny. Tyranny can get out of control quickly, thus the reason for this article.
Tyranny and history are ways for us to look back in history and see just what a tyrant like Vlad or Hitler are capable of.
One man did all of these horrible things. Well, he and his army.
Vampire lure originated from Vlad. Vampire books and lure was not an original idea.
History can be bloody, gory and offensive. That’s history.
theclaustrophobicintrovert
/ August 18, 2012The only reason I can think that Charles would admit the distant relation is damage control: If he didn’t do it, undoubtedly, someone in the press would dig up the information & make it public. The British tabloids seem even worse than our American brand, when it comes to the royal family – they like nothing better than to rake them through the proverbial muck.
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@the laustrophicintrovert – Charles actually admitted this to save some type of wild lands of the area. He wanted to conserve the land.
I respect Charles for admitting such things in order to save a great piece of history and preserve nature and wildlife.
John
/ August 18, 2012Have heard of this guy, bet ya good money it’s bloody hot where he is just now.
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@John – no doubt. Vlad did much, much more dreadful things that couldn’t put on my blog. People need to research the things he did. Truly, I believe the most evil man in history.
Remembering: Think the Germans recorded a lot of Vlad’s horrible travesties. Vlad brought about all this vampire lure of today.
John
/ August 18, 2012People are fascinated by Satan, demons and evil in general. It’s a dangerous game that should never be played.
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@John – Vlad’s acts are mimicked in vampire movies and other written works. I do like some vampire movies such as “Underworld.”
However, if a movie resembles the actual history of Vlad, refuse to watch.
I have watched several documentaries on Vlad for research purposes.
I enjoy movies where the female kicks ass. That’s why I love Underworld (all of them).
roughseasinthemed
/ August 18, 2012Nasty piece of work (Vlad not Charles, although…..)
I agree with theclaustrophobicintrovert, much better to say it yourself than have someone else muckrake and bring it up.
For example, the incident when German-born Princess Michael of Kent admitted her father was an officer in the German Nazi Waffen-SS. And Prince Harry wearing a swastika suit. Or the Pope being in the Hitler youth movement.
I’ve read the article before about public opinion changing. All I can say is, I hope Liz (British Queen) hangs around for a bit longer.
roughseasinthemed
/ August 18, 2012Forgot to add, I think it’s fairly well known that most royals in europe are all related to each other through Victoria (Queen), and earlier too so hardly surprising Charles has a distant relative with an unsavoury past.
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@Roughseasinthemed – I had no idea. My original thesis was on Vlad, but each time went to research, articles on Charles came up. Apparently, it is a big deal? Bloggers all over the net writing of such things.
So, my story of Vlad turned into Charles and missing children of Romania, is it even still called Romania? I will have to research this too….Husband said its no longer called Romania. More research on this piece ahead….
The royals are interesting to me. Much conspiracy and drama, things I love to read.
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@roughseasinthemed – I agree. I do respect Charles for admitting such things in order to preserve the history, wildlife of that area. It takes courage to admit that in order to preserve nature.
I respect people who try to preserve nature, even if it may tarnish their own name.
magpye
/ August 18, 2012Impaling… what a coinkydink, just wrote a vaguely related post myself this morning, you should check it out
LizEccentric7
/ August 18, 2012@magpye – impalement has a long history. It has been used in wars all over the world. Not just in wars, but as a form of psychological warfare. See wiki link on the photo.
Had no idea impalement was used so commonly throughout human history until researched for this piece.
I am a history nerd.
The Spideron
/ August 19, 2012Vlad was indeed a ruthless and bloodthirsty prince, but he was also a master tactician. He conducted hit-and-run raids against the Ottoman Turks, whose armies dwarfed his own, and won many battles against them. His ferocity, deplorable though it was, gave him a psychological advantage. Sultan Mehmed II, then the most powerful man in Europe, was terrified of Vlad. The defeats he suffered and the forest of stakes he saw before him halted his advance into the Balkans. It is conceivable that had it not been for Dracula, all of Europe may have fallen under the shadow of Islam, for there were not many other princes at that time willing to stand up to the Turks. He was one of the few Christian rulers to join Pope Sixtus IV’s crusade against the Ottoman Empire. In the Orthodox world, he is generally considered a hero. Bear in mind that it was a violent age, when other rulers were committing equally horrific crimes. Louis XI of France, the Spider King, enjoyed hanging young boys from trees and placing his enemies in cages. Ferrante of Naples mummified the corpses of his enemies and kept them in a museum, which he showed to his guests. People were burned alive for deviating from the Church’s interpretation of faith. Dracula was, nevertheless, a disturbed individual.
LizEccentric7
/ August 19, 2012@Spideron – your comment is correct, though Vlad was evil, his military tactics were successful, in that he put so much fear into invaders by the sea of the impaled they turned straight around. He killed women and children for the sake of war.
If you came upon a sea of impaled people, some still alive, wouldn’t you run? I would….still, that’s just plain insanity and a horrid piece of human history.
Vlad’s military tactics were copied throughout history for psychological warfare, as in the Vietnam war. Not exactly the same, but some of the same public showings of gruesome killings.
Vlad’s military tactics vs. Vlad’s madness were one in the same. His madness was the reason for his victories.
Still, Vlad was a murderer of the innocent that had no part with any wars and were civilians. So, Vlad rates right up there with Hitler in my book regardless of his victories over the opposing armies.
The Retiring Sort
/ August 24, 2012When we were in Romania, we drove through Transylvania. Several castles claim to have been Vlad’s, and we ate lunch in one of them!
LizEccentric7
/ August 24, 2012Wow! Have seen documentaries on Vlad’s castles, they had many dungeons, and looked spooky. No wonder so many vampire movies are filmed there…I find it crazy that some people honestly believe Vlad was a vampire. Think it’s funny as I don’t believe in vampire’s or ghosts…
SimplySage
/ August 25, 2012Hmmm … if only the current vampire groupies could read this. They might choose other entertainment options.
I’m really honored to be featured on your blogroll. I’m pleased with the way you’ve featured it. Looks great! Is there a reason I need to list my country? I’d rather be a blogger without a country, if okay with you. I have good reasons … seriously.
LizEccentric7
/ August 25, 2012@Simply Sage – the reason for the country of origin on the blogroll is most bloggers put the country of origin…So other bloggers can connect with you. It’s common practice. If you notice I put the countries on the blogroll. People often think, “wonder what’s going on in that state or country.” Well, right now have Europe, Cambodia, Argentina, Michigan on there. It’s a common practice on a blogroll or custom menu where a blogger lists blogs they read. It’s not a “have to” thing, just connects people, to find out about other cultures.
SimplySage
/ August 25, 2012Ok, well I’m good with it then. I did notice you put the countries or U.S. states of origin. It wouldn’t be hard to figure out after several comments that I am from the U.S.
I read your “Appeals” post and hope to comment on that, after which I would easily have given away my country of origin. I’m just too tired to put together any clarity of thought at this moment.
But I did find the banter quite interesting. What a nest you stirred up, you brave soul!
Thanks again for putting me on your blogroll.
LizEccentric7
/ August 25, 2012@SimplySage – knew you were from the US, by your writing. Things can get heated here on Eccentric from time to time. Debate gets the wheels of the brain turning.
SimplySage
/ August 25, 2012Oh gee, was I that obvious! Go figure. (Now, that cliché is a dead giveaway.)
LizEccentric7
/ August 25, 2012@Simply Sage – We Americans have the tiny details in writing, where I know they are from the U.S. right away. Little euphemisms I guess is the word, I don’t know.
LizEccentric7
/ August 25, 2012@SimplySage – Many people of the vampire culture (speaking of people that truly believe in vampires) have not studied where the legend or myths derived from which was from Vlad, one of the most evil men in history. Yes, it is true, there are groups in America who actually believe in Vampires. Silly to me, but still true. Yet, they most likely never heard-of the name “Vlad the Impaler.”
SimplySage
/ August 25, 2012I think pop culture’s current fascination has more to do with the time-tested story of forbidden love than in learning the history behind it.
The existence of Vlad nixes the notion of the non-existence of evil.
LizEccentric7
/ August 25, 2012@SimplySage- Think you may be on to something there, along with the vampire clothing and books, movies etc. Think it is a way for people to rebel, and try to be different than the norm, perhaps (we are speaking of people in the US who actually believe in vampires – to update readers).