If you would prefer to read about this topic, I have also published it on Substack with some additional imagery! Find it here: [LINK TBA] Who was the real Dracula? Long before Bram Stoker created one of the most iconic vampires in horror, Vlad III Dracula, better known as Vlad the Impaler, was a fifteenth-century prince whose life was filled with political betrayal, brutal warfare, and a struggle for power. In this history podcast and video essay, we explore the life of Vlad the Impaler, from his childhood as a hostage in the Ottoman Empire to his wars against Mehmed II, his infamous reign in Wallachia, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. Discover the real history behind Dracula and how a medieval Romanian ruler became a legend. Links to my Instagram, Spotify, & TikTok: www.gildedliliesclub.com Chapters: 0:00 Introduction1:33 Landscape of the Medieval10:33 Youth & Life at Ottoman Court16:06 First Reign23:56 Rise of the Impaler38:22 Fall of the Impaler45:46 Dracula: The Vampire Music used: Devil’s Organ - Jimena Contreras Resources used and additional readings: Florescu, Radu, and Raymond T. McNally. Dracula, Prince of Many Faces: His Life and His Times. Little, Brown, 1989. Goldfarb, Lindsey. From Prince of Wallachia to Prince of Darkness: An In-Depth Analysis of the Identity of Vlad Dracula. University of Northern Colorado, https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1017&context=urj. Jannah, Miftahul, and Suwarni. “The History of Vlad Dracula and Its Distortion: A Study of Strengthening History Learning Literacy.” Global Education Journal, vol. 3, no. 2, 2025, pp. 447–454. https://doi.org/10.59525/gej.v3i2.727. Rezachevici, Constantin. “From the Order of the Dragon to Dracula.” Dracula Studies, Kutztown University, https://research.library.kutztown.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=dracula-studies. “Vlad Dracula: The Prince Who Became a Vampire.” Center on Religion and Culture, Fordham University, https://crc.blog.fordham.edu/arts-culture/vlad-dracula-the-prince-who-became-a-vampire/. Vlad III Dracula: The Life and Times of the Historical Dracula. By Kurt W. Treptow. Vlad the Impaler: A Captivating Guide to How Vlad III Dracula Became One of the Most Crucial Rulers of Wallachia and His Impact on the History of Romania. Captivating History. About this video: Who was Vlad the Impaler, and how did he become associated with Dracula? This video essay and podcast explores the history of Vlad III Dracula, the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed II, medieval Wallachia, and the origins of the Dracula legend, tracing the story of the real man behind the fictional vampire. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright At 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gildedliliesclub.substack.com
