Vlad never feared retribution for his actions, he believed they incited fear in others and was once quoted as saying, “If I am feared by the right people, we will be strong”. Vlad ordered that since they insisted on keeping the hats on, they were to be nailed to their heads. Vlad told the merchant that the second stake was meant for him – had he failed to return the extra ducat.Īnother example of Vlad’s ruthlessness can be seen in the tale of 2 Ottomans that were to deliver a message to Vlad and refused to remove their hats while in his company. He had impaled the man that had robbed the merchant on the first and the second stake was unoccupied. The merchant went to Vlad to report the extra money and found that Vlad had two stakes prepared.

When it was reported to Vlad, he ordered that 101 ducat be put in the man’s cart. One story tells of a merchant that claimed to have 100 ducat stolen from his cart. It has been said that lawlessness was so rare during the reign of Vlad III that vendors would leave their goods unattended in the town markets with no fear of theft. Vlad III held power 3 times first in 1448, again from 1456 to 1462 and the final time in 1476. Although impalement has been described throughout history as torture, Vlad was an advocate of law and order and believed this penalty would ensure it was obeyed under his rule. Vlad was given the name “The Impaler” because his preferred method of punishment was execution by impalement. Vlad II led the order of the dragon thus giving him the name Dracul, this being the case, Vlad III obtained the title Dracula (Son of the Dragon). Vlad Tepes III was born between 14, the second son of Vlad Dracul (The Dragon). Look for panels and more events on this topic during our North Carolina Horror Convention! Welcome to Horror History, our new series on real life historical horror stories.

Vladimir the impaler