Vlad: The Name, The Legend, The Vampire
Introduction
Vlad is a common male name in many Slavic countries, but it is also associated with one of the most notorious figures in history: Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century ruler of Walachia who inspired Bram Stoker's iconic vampire character, Count Dracula. In this article, we will explore the meaning and origin of the name Vlad, the historical figures who bore it, and the connection between Vlad the Impaler and Count Dracula.
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The Meaning and Origin of Vlad
The Slavic root of Vlad
Vlad is a short form of various Slavic names that begin with the element vladeti, which means "to rule" or "to own". Some examples are Vladimir (meaning "great ruler" or "peaceful ruler"), Vladislav (meaning "glorious ruler"), and Vlado (a diminutive form). According to , Vlad is mostly used in Romanian and Russian, but it can also be found in other Slavic languages.
The Order of the Dragon and Dracula
The name Vlad became famous in Romania through the dynasty of Basarab, who ruled Walachia from the 14th to the 16th century. One of them was Vlad II Dracul, who was admitted to the Order of the Dragon in 1431 by Sigismund of Luxembourg, the king of Hungary and later the Holy Roman emperor. The Order of the Dragon was a chivalric society that aimed to defend Christian Europe against the Ottoman Empire. Its emblem was a dragon with a cross on its back. Vlad II Dracul took his surname from this symbol, as dracul means "dragon" in Romanian. His son, Vlad III Dracula, inherited this surname as well as a nickname: Drăculea, meaning "son of the dragon" or "son of Dracul". This name would later be anglicized as Dracula by Bram Stoker.
The pronunciation and variants of Vlad
The Historical Figures Named Vlad
Vlad II Dracul: The Father of the Impaler
Vlad II Dracul was the voivode (prince) of Walachia from 1436 to 1442 and from 1443 to 1447. He was the son of Mircea I of Walachia, who was a descendant of Basarab I, the founder of the Basarab dynasty. Vlad II Dracul was a skillful diplomat and a loyal ally of Sigismund of Luxembourg, who granted him the membership of the Order of the Dragon. However, he also had to deal with the constant threat of the Ottoman Empire, which wanted to conquer Walachia and make it a vassal state. Vlad II Dracul had four sons: Mircea II, Vlad III Dracula, Vlad IV Călugărul, and Radu III the Handsome. He was killed by his rival John Hunyadi in 1447.
Vlad III Dracula: The Impaler and the Ruler
Vlad III Dracula was the voivode of Walachia three times: from 1448 to 1448, from 1456 to 1462, and from 1476 to 1477. He was the son of Vlad II Dracul and his second wife, Princess Cneajna of Moldavia. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential rulers in Romanian history, as well as one of the most brutal and ruthless. He is best known for his resistance against the Ottoman Empire, his harsh justice system, and his method of execution: impalement. He earned the nickname Tepes, meaning "the Impaler", for his habit of impaling his enemies and displaying their bodies on stakes. According to some estimates, he killed between 40,000 and 100,000 people during his reign. He is also considered a national hero and a defender of Christianity in Romania.
Vlad IV Călugărul: The Half-Brother and the Monk
Vlad IV Călugărul was the voivode of Walachia from 1481 to 1495. He was the son of Vlad II Dracul and his third wife, an unknown noblewoman. He was the half-brother of Vlad III Dracula and Radu III the Handsome. He spent most of his life in monasteries, hence his surname Călugărul, meaning "the Monk". He became the voivode of Walachia after the death of Basarab Laiotă cel Bătrân, who was supported by the Ottomans. Vlad IV Călugărul tried to maintain a balance between the Ottomans and the Hungarians, but he also faced internal conflicts and rebellions. He died in 1495 and was succeeded by his son Radu cel Mare.
The Inspiration for Count Dracula
Bram Stoker's discovery of Vlad the Impaler
Bram Stoker was an Irish writer who published his novel Dracula in 1897. The novel tells the story of Count Dracula, a centuries-old vampire who travels from Transylvania to England and preys on innocent people. Stoker based his character on Vlad III Dracula, whom he discovered while researching European folklore and history. According to , Stoker found a book by William Wilkinson called An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, which mentioned Vlad III Dracula and his cruel deeds. Stoker also learned that dracul meant "devil" in Romanian, which added to the sinister appeal of his character.
The similarities and differences between Vlad and Dracula
Stoker used some historical facts about Vlad III Dracula to create his fictional Count Dracula, but he also made some changes and additions. Some similarities between Vlad and Dracula are:
They both have the same name and surname.
They both are from Transylvania (although Vlad ruled Walachia, he was born in Sighișoara, Transylvania).
They both have a castle (although Vlad's castle is in Poenari, not in Bran).
They both are associated with violence and bloodshed.
his allies).
Some differences between Vlad and Dracula are:
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Vlad was a human, while Dracula is a vampire.
Vlad lived in the 15th century, while Dracula is immortal and can travel through time.
Vlad was a Christian, while Dracula renounced his faith and became an enemy of God.
Vlad impaled his victims, while Dracula bit their necks and drank their blood.
Vlad had a wife and children, while Dracula had no family but many brides and followers.
The cultural and media impact of Dracula
Dracula is one of the most famous and influential characters in literature and popular culture. The novel by Bram Stoker has been adapted into many films, TV shows, plays, comics, games, and other media. Some of the most notable adaptations are:
The 1922 silent film Nosferatu, directed by F. W. Murnau, which was an unauthorized adaptation of Stoker's novel.
The 1931 film Dracula, directed by Tod Browning, starring Bela Lugosi as Dracula, which established the image of the vampire as a suave and sophisticated aristocrat.
The 1958 film Dracula, directed by Terence Fisher, starring Christopher Lee as Dracula, which was the first of the Hammer Horror series of films that revived the Gothic horror genre.
The 1979 film Dracula, directed by John Badham, starring Frank Langella as Dracula, which was a romantic and sensual interpretation of the character.
The 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gary Oldman as Dracula, which was a faithful and lavish adaptation of the novel.
Dracula has also inspired many other works of fiction that feature vampires or reference his legacy. Some examples are:
The 1897 short story Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, which predates Stoker's novel and features a female vampire who preys on young women.
The 1976 novel Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, which is the first of the Vampire Chronicles series that explores the lives and histories of various vampires.
The 1987 film The Lost Boys, directed by Joel Schumacher, which is a teen horror comedy that follows a group of young vampires in California.
The 1997 TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created by Joss Whedon, which is a cult classic that follows a teenage girl who is destined to fight vampires and other supernatural forces.
The 2005 novel Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, which is the first of the Twilight Saga series that revolves around a romance between a human girl and a vampire boy.
Conclusion
Vlad is a name that has a rich and fascinating history. It means "to rule" or "to own" in Slavic languages, and it has been used by several rulers of Walachia, most notably Vlad III Dracula, who was also known as Vlad the Impaler for his cruelty and violence. He became the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, which introduced the world to one of the most iconic and influential characters in literature and popular culture: Count Dracula, the vampire lord. Whether you admire or fear Vlad or Dracula, you cannot deny their impact on history and culture.
FAQs
What is the difference between Walachia and Transylvania?
Walachia and Transylvania are two historical regions in Romania. Walachia is located south of the Carpathian Mountains and borders Bulgaria to the south. Transylvania is located north of the Carpathian Mountains and borders Hungary to the west. Walachia was ruled by the Basarab dynasty from the 14th to the 16th century, while Transylvania was part of the Kingdom of Hungary until 1526.
How did Vlad III Dracula die?
others say he was killed by the Ottomans or by a rival Wallachian noble. His body was decapitated and his head was sent to Constantinople as a trophy.
Where is Vlad III Dracula buried?
The location of Vlad III Dracula's grave is also uncertain. Some sources say he was buried at the Snagov Monastery, an island monastery near Bucharest, while others say he was buried at the Comana Monastery, another island monastery south of Bucharest. However, no conclusive evidence has been found to confirm either claim.
Why did Vlad III Dracula impale his victims?
Vlad III Dracula impaled his victims for several reasons. One was to intimidate and deter his enemies, especially the Ottomans, who were terrified by the sight of thousands of impaled corpses. Another was to enforce his strict law and order, as he impaled anyone who committed crimes or disobeyed him, such as thieves, traitors, beggars, or dishonest merchants. A third was to satisfy his sadistic and vengeful nature, as he impaled people who offended or challenged him, such as rival nobles, foreign ambassadors, or captured soldiers.
How did Bram Stoker create Count Dracula's appearance and personality?
Bram Stoker created Count Dracula's appearance and personality by combining various sources and influences. He described Dracula as having a pale face, a long nose, a pointed beard, sharp teeth, red eyes, and long nails. He also gave him a charismatic and aristocratic demeanor, but also a cruel and ruthless one. Some of the sources and influences that Stoker used are:
The historical Vlad III Dracula, whom he learned about from William Wilkinson's book.
The folklore and legends of vampires and other undead creatures from Eastern Europe and Ireland.
The Gothic novels of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, Frankenstein, and The Vampyre.
The contemporary scientific and social theories of the late 19th century, such as Darwinism, degeneration, blood transfusion, hypnotism, and sexuality.
What are some of the themes and symbols in Dracula?
Dracula is a complex and rich novel that explores many themes and symbols. Some of them are:
The clash between the old and the new, the East and the West, the traditional and the modern.
The fear of the unknown, the foreign, the exotic, and the Other.
The struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, life and death.
The power of love, friendship, loyalty, and faith.
The role of gender, sexuality, identity, and desire.
The importance of science, reason, technology, and knowledge.
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