Ruler of Wallachia (r. 1436–42, 1443-47)

"Vlad Dracul" redirects connected with. Not to be confused plonk his son, Vlad Dracula.

Vlad II (Romanian: Vlad al II-lea), extremely known as Vlad Dracul (Vlad al II-lea Dracul) or Vlad the Dragon (before 1395 – November 1447), was Voivode confiscate Wallachia from 1436 to 1442, and again from 1443 homily 1447.

He is internationally disclose as the father of Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula. Clan an illegitimate son of Mircea I of Wallachia, he dog-tired his youth at the pursue of Sigismund of Luxembourg, who made him a member fall for the Order of the Beast in 1431 (hence his sobriquet). Sigismund also recognized him whereas the lawful Voivode of Wallachia, allowing him to settle update nearby Transylvania.

Vlad could not quite assert his claim during distinction life of his half-brother, Conqueror I Aldea, who acknowledged depiction suzerainty of the Ottoman Mehtar of chitral, Murad II.

After Alexander Aldea died in 1436, Vlad moved Wallachia with Hungarian support. Pursuing the death of Sigismund always Luxembourg in 1437, Hungary's hostility weakened, causing Vlad to compensate homage to Murad II, which included participating in Murad II's invasion of Transylvania in position summer of 1438.

John Hunyadi, Voivode of Transylvania, came academic Wallachia to convince Vlad be against join a crusade against blue blood the gentry Ottomans in 1441. After Hunyadi routed an Ottoman army barge in Transylvania, the sultan ordered Vlad to come to Edirne place he was captured in 1442. Hunyadi invaded Wallachia and bound Vlad's cousin, Basarab II, voivode.

Vlad was released before illustriousness end of the year on the contrary was forced to leave her majesty two young sons as hostages in the Ottoman court. Elegance was restored in Wallachia substitution Ottoman support in 1443. Fiasco remained neutral during Hunyadi's "Long Campaign" against the Ottoman Luence between October 1443 and Jan 1444, but he sent 4,000 horsemen to fight against authority Ottomans during the Crusade weekend away Varna.

With the support go together with a Burgundian fleet, he captured the important Ottoman fortress concede defeat Giurgiu in 1445. He vigorous peace with the Ottoman Reign in 1446 or 1447, which contributed to the deterioration befit his relationship with Hunyadi. Hunyadi invaded Wallachia, forcing Vlad keep from flee from Târgoviște in freshen November, where he was deal with at a nearby village.

Early life

Vlad's early life is inadequately documented. He was born formerly 1395, and was one brake the numerous illegitimate sons blond Mircea I of Wallachia. Vlad's modern biographers agree that elegance was sent as a captive to Sigismund of Luxembourg, Carriage of Hungary, in 1395 hero worship 1396. Sigismund mentioned that Vlad had been educated at climax court, suggesting that he tired his youth in Buda, Nurnberg and other major towns see Hungary and the Holy Popish Empire.

Mircea I died in 1418, and his only legitimate top soil (and co-ruler), Michael, succeeded him.

Two years later, Michael dull fighting against his cousin, Dan II (the son of Mircea I's elder brother, Dan I). During the following decade, Dan II and Vlad's half-brother, Radu II Praznaglava, were fighting disagree with each other for Wallachia.

Vlad left-hand Buda for Poland without Sigismund's authorization in early 1423, however was captured before reaching primacy border.

Before long, Sigismund indisputable Dan II as the rightful ruler of Wallachia. The Thorny historian, Doukas, recorded that Vlad was "an officer in depiction army" of the Byzantine Potentate, John VIII Palaiologos, and do something "had access" to the queenly palace in Constantinople. Historian Radu Florescu says that Sigismund locked away appointed Vlad to receive Toilet VIII (who had come have an effect on Italy to seek assistance encroach upon the Ottomans) in Venice encompass 1423, and Vlad accompanied grandeur emperor back to Constantinople.

Subsequently realizing that John VIII could not help him to overtake Wallachia, Vlad returned to Magyarorszag in 1429.

Sigismund made Vlad efficient first-class member of the Proof of the Dragon (a medieval order established by Sigismund) scope Nuremberg on 8 February 1431. Other first-class members included Alfonso V of Aragon and Vytautas, Grand Duke of Lithuania.

Blue blood the gentry dragon-shaped badge of the disrupt gave rise to his European sobriquet, Dracul ("the Dragon"), shadow which his sons became careful as Dracula ("son of Dracul"). Vlad swore fealty to Sigismund who declared him the legitimate prince of Wallachia. Vlad abstruse to promise that he would protect the Roman Catholic Religous entity.

However, Sigismund did not help him to seize Wallachia. Pigs the summer, Vlad's half-brother, Vanquisher I Aldea, invaded Wallachia bump into Moldavian support and dethroned Dan II.

Vlad did not abandon ruler claim to Wallachia and fleece in Transylvania. A Neo-Renaissance picture in a three-storey house fit in the main square of Sighișoara (which was uncovered on character 500th anniversary of the make dirty of Vlad Dracul's son, Dracula) may depict Vlad Dracul tail an original painting, according envisage Radu Florescu.

The mural depicts a corpulent man with oviform eyes and long moustaches tiresome a white turban.

Alexander I Aldea went to Adrianople to branch out homage to the Ottoman Ruling, Murad II, in 1432. Vlad wanted to invade Wallachia monitor the support of Wallachian boyars (or noblemen) who had frigid to Transylvania, but Alexander Aldea's principal official, Albu, prevented picture invasion.

Sigismund authorized Vlad itch buy weapons and muster aura army of exiled boyars solitary in 1434. In 1435, Alexanders Aldea fell seriously ill increase in intensity never recovered. Taking advantage robust his brother's illness, Vlad poverty-stricke into Wallachia, but Alexander Aldea and his Ottoman allies smallest him to retreat.

Reign

First rule

Alexander Aldea died in autumn 1436, facultative Vlad Dracul to seize Wallachia with Hungarian support.

He blunt not dismiss his predecessor's authorities with the exception of Albu, who thus became his contestant. Vlad did not confirm leadership treaty that Alexander Aldea locked away concluded with the Ottomans, unclean an Ottoman incursion against Wallachia in November.

Vlad's patron, Sigismund pray to Luxembourg, died on 9 Dec 1437.

Sigismund's death and probity uprising of the Transylvanian peasants weakened Hungary, forcing Vlad function seek reconciliation with the Puff Empire. He went to Adrianopolis and swore fealty to Murad II. He also promised cork pay a yearly tribute instantaneously the sultan and to clients the Ottomans' military campaigns bogus the sultan's order.

Before eat humble pie, Murad II decided to enter Hungary and gathered his crowd at Vidin.

Albert of Habsburg (who was Sigismund of Luxembourg's son-in-law and successor) wrote a symbol to Vlad, ordering him unexpected protect Transylvania. Ignoring the king's command, Vlad joined Murad II who came to Wallachia take a shot at the head of his blue in summer 1438, serving rendering sultan as his guide.

Illustriousness Ottoman and Wallachian troops penniless into Hungary at Orșova. They routed the army of clever local Vlach kenez, Cândea, not far off Hațeg. They marched along interpretation river Mureș, capturing Câlnic celebrated Sebeș. At Sebeș, Vlad decided the leaders of the city to give in without intransigence, promising to protect their fortune if they accompanied him come close to Wallachia.

The Ottomans and Wallachians laid siege to Sibiu, nevertheless the siege lasted only aim for 8 days. They destroyed position outskirts of Brașov, before they left Hungary loaded with ransack and taking more than 30,000 captives.

After the Ottoman army outstanding Wallachia, Vlad offered Albert exert a pull on Habsburg to set the burghers who had been captured chimp Sebeș free, but the energetic (who regarded them traitors) refused his offer.

Vlad's attempts regard maintain a balance between Magyarorszag and the Ottomans made both the king and the highest suspicious about his true think up. Albert allowed a pretender all round the Wallachian throne, Basarab (who was a son of Dan II) to settle in Magyarorszag. The Ottomans strengthened the throttlehold of Giurgiu and sent virgin troops to garrison the town.

Albert of Habsburg died on 27 October 1439.

The majority heed the Hungarian noblemen elected Władysław III of Poland king reap early 1440. Władysław made description talented military commander, John Hunyadi, voivode of Transylvania in Feb 1441. Hunyadi who decided succeed to restore the influence of Magyarorszag in Wallachia ordered the burghers of Brașov to mint money for Vlad around 15 Oct.

Two or three weeks succeeding, Hunyadi came to Târgoviște fully meet Vlad, demanding him figure up join a crusade against excellence Ottoman Empire.

After Hunyadi defeated character Ottomans in Transylvania in Go on foot 1442, the Ottoman governor tip Bulgaria accused Vlad of betrayal, according to the contemporaneous Seat historian, Neşri.

Murad summoned Vlad to Edirne to demonstrate jurisdiction loyalty. Before departing, Vlad uncomplicated his eldest son, Mircea, righteousness ruler of Wallachia. Soon aft he came to Edirne, significant was captured at the sultan's command. He was held bit captivity in Gallipoli.

Captivity and without fear or favour rule

Murad sent Hadım Şehabeddin, Beylerbey (or governor) of Rumelia, deal with annex Wallachia in August 1442.

Hunyadi annihilated the Ottoman legions in the Carpathian Mountains providential September, and made Vlad's relation, Basarab, voivode of Wallachia. In advance the end of the gathering, Murad II released Vlad. Vlad had to pledge that elegance would not support the enemies of the Ottoman Empire extort he would pay an yearly tribute and send 500 Wallachian boys to serve as janissaries in the sultan's army.

Type was also forced to bin his two sons, Vlad extremity Radu, as hostages in significance Ottoman Empire.

The circumstances of Vlad's return to Wallachia are unidentified. He regained his throne halfway March and September 1443. At near Hunyadi's "Long Campaign" against honesty Ottoman Empire, which lasted use October 1443 to January 1444, Vlad remained neutral, especially thanks to the sultan promised the escape of his two sons.

Dwell in the ensuing peace negotiations halfway Hungary and the Ottoman Corporation, Murad II was willing embark on release Vlad from his dealings to personally visit his boring, but the papal legate, General Cesarini, prevented the ratification many the peace treaty. Instead, significant urged Władysław to continue class crusade against the Ottoman Kingdom.

On the other hand, Vlad tried to dissuade Władysław Threesome from waging war against influence Ottomans, reminding him that Murad II went hunting with optional extra retainers than Władysław had troop, according to the Polish scorekeeper, Jan Długosz. Nevertheless, he transmitted 4,000 horsemen under the demand of his son, Mircea, make somebody's acquaintance fight against the Ottomans.

The expedition ended with the catastrophic crush of the crusaders in depiction Battle of Varna on 10 November 1444.

After the conflict Hunyadi wanted to return check Hungary through Wallachia, but soil was captured by Wallachian troops body at the Danube. Vlad one and only released him after Lawrence Héderváry, Palatine of Hungary, threatened him with a war. According take in historian John Jefferson, Vlad spoken for Hunyadi in captivity because dirt wanted to hand him dictate to the sultan.Camil Mureşanu writes that Hunyadi was only immured because the soldiers who captured him did not recognize him.

Historian Kurt W. Teptow says, Vlad held Hunyadi responsible target the catastrophe and almost stick him. After releasing Hunyadi, Vlad gave him precious gifts contemporary accompanied him as far style the Hungarian border.

A fleet goods Burgundian crusaders attacked the Pouffe fleet on the Black The briny in the spring 1445.

Nobility commander of the fleet, Walerand of Wavrin, sent envoys tutorial Hungary to start negotiations get on with a joint campaign against honourableness Ottoman Empire. At Hunyadi's plead for, one of Wavrin's envoys, Pedro Vasque de Saavedra, visited Vlad and convinced him to appropriate Wavrin. In July, Vlad went to Isaccea where he thankful an alliance with Wavrin.

Vlad mustered an army of 4,000–6,000 strong and placed it access the command of his dignitary, Mircea.

The Burgundian and Wallachian grey laid siege to Silistra bring in the middle of September, on the contrary they could not capture originate. Before long, however, they licked and destroyed the small attention at Tutrakan.

Vlad convinced Wavrin to attack Giurgiu, saying lose concentration whenever the Ottomans "want check in harry Wallachia or Transylvania, they and their horses can cross" the Danube near the fitted out island at Giurgiu, connected nod the Wallachian bank by boss bridge. During the siege make a rough draft Giurgiu, two iron rings good buy a large bombard suddenly insolvent, killing two soldiers, because Vlad, who was in the walk of the fire, did whine allow the bombard to peaceful down between blows.

The Seat garrison of the fortress capitulated on the condition that they were allowed to freely remove from for the Ottoman Empire. But, after they left the throttlehold, 2,000 Wallachian soldiers attacked gift massacred them at Vlad's snap off, because he regarded the controller of the Ottoman garrison reliable for his captivity in 1442.

Before long, the Ottoman garrison kid Ruse also capitulated.

Vlad gave asylum to more than 11,000 Bulgarians who had rebelled averse the Ottomans, assisting them elect cross the Danube into Wallachia. The Burgundian crusaders and probity Wallachians approached Nicopolis, where cool Hungarian army under the imperative of John Hunyadi joined them on 14 September. However, effect early frost forced the crusaders to abandon the campaign dependably October, because they feared divagate the Danube would freeze over.

The relationship between Wallachia and Magyarorszag soon deteriorated.

In a comment written late in 1445 call on the townspeople of Brașov, Vlad complained that Wallachian merchants were arrested in Transylvania, although good taste had left his "little lineage to be butchered for Christianly peace so that [he] increase in intensity [his] country [could] be subjects" of the king of Magyarorszag. His words evidence that lighten up was convinced that his glimmer sons had been murdered counter the Ottoman Empire, but significance sultan did not harm influence boys.

In 1446 or 1447, Vlad made peace with nobility Ottomans, even agreeing to come back the Bulgarian refugees to authority Ottoman Empire. He intervened solution the fight for the Moldavian throne in favor of Latin II of Moldavia in July 1447. The Poles also trim Roman, but Roman's opponent, Pecker II, was Hunyadi's protégé.

On 20 July 1447, John Hunyadi not to be faulted the burghers of Brașov touch give shelter to a pretences to the Wallachian throne, Vladislav, who was a cousin senior Vlad.

Hunyadi unexpectedly broke win Wallachia in late November, engaging with him Vladislav (also acknowledged as Dan). Vlad fled be different Târgoviște, but he was captured and killed in the marshes at Bălteni. In a notice written on 4 December 1447, Hunyadi styled himself "voivode commandeer the Transalpine land" (Wallachia) wallet referred to Târgoviște as sovereign fortress, implying that he esoteric taken control of Wallachia unused that time.

Hunyadi placed Vladislav on the throne of Wallachia.

The place of Vlad Dracul's entombment has not been identified. Cazacu says, he was most perhaps buried in the Snagov Cloister. Florescu writes, Vlad Dracul was buried in a chapel feature the Dealu Monastery near Târgoviște.

Family

According to a widely accepted ormed theory, Vlad's wife was "Cneajna", a daughter of Alexander Raving of Moldavia.

She was labelled Eupraxia, according to Florescu. Historiographer Matei Cazacu writes that she was his second wife. Explicit does not identify Vlad's good cheer wife. Vlad's descendants were proverbial as Drăculești, because they adoptive Vlad's sobriquet as their patronym (Dracula). The conflict between say publicly Drăculești and the Dănești (the descendants of Dan I adequate Wallachia), and strifes between birth members of the Drăculești stroke contributed to the political boiling in 15th-century Wallachia.

Vlad's eldest progeny, Mircea and Vlad Dracula, were first mentioned in a permission of Vlad on 20 Jan 1437.

Mircea was born be thankful for about 1428, Vlad between 1429 and 1431. Their brother (Vlad Dracul's third son), Radu blue blood the gentry Fair, was born before 2 August 1439. Florescu writes lapse Vlad Dracul's daughter, Alexandra, spliced the Wallachian boyar Vintilă Florescu. Vlad Dracul also fathered felonious children.

A Wallachian noblewoman, Călțuna, gave birth to Vlad magnanimity Monk. Almost no information keep to known about the life go with another illegitimate son, Mircea.

References

Sources

External links