Vlad “The Impaler” Dracula

Romanian Royalty. He was the Prince of Wallachia, also known as Vlad III, Vlad the Impaler, Vlad Dracula, or Vlad Tepes. Born between 1428 and 1431, the second of four sons of Eupraxia of Moldavia and Vlad II Dracul of Wallachia, he accompanied his father and brother, Radu, on a diplomatic mission in 1442. The three were captured, but Vlad II was released while his two sons remained as hostages to ensure the father's behavior. In the ensuing five years of captivity, the brothers were said to have been instructed in the art of war, science, and philosophy, and were alleged to also have been subjected to torture and beatings. It is thought that it was during this time that Vlad developed his hatred of the Ottomans. In 1447, his father was ousted as ruler of Wallachia by local boyars and was killed with his son, Mircea. Vlad III, released by the Ottomans, embarked on a campaign to regain his father's seat. He won a temporary victory in 1448, but within months, the usurper, Vladislav II