Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, was born around 1431 in Sighișoara, present-day Romania, though records are uncertain. His father, Vlad II Dracul, ruled Wallachia, while his mother's identity remains unclear. As a teen, Vlad III and his brother Radu were held hostage by the Ottomans.
While Radu allied with the Ottomans, Vlad harboured a deep hatred and focused on reclaiming Wallachia. Vlad reclaimed Wallachia by killing Vladislav II in combat, asserting himself as ruler. He rebuilt the economy, restricted foreign trade, and used extreme cruelty, such as impaling enemies, to consolidate power and deter opposition.
From the ancient civilizations of years past to the dawn of the Space Race, every week we'll be bringing you award-winning documentaries featuring some of the world's best historians. Subscribe so you don't miss out.
Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Matt Lewis and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code REALHISTORY 👉 https://historyhit.com/subscribe
Real History is part of the History Hit Network.
Any queries, please contact owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com