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1. Vlad was actually Vladislov III
2. The name Tepes actually means Impaler and was not commonly used until after his death.
3. Vlad’s father Vlad II was initiated into the Order of the Dragon (Dracul). Vlad followed his father’s steps and was initiated at Age 54. Vlad had three brothers and, as mentioned in Beyond Death, his older brother Mircea II was murdered by the boyars. They did truly burn out his eyes with hot pokers and bury him alive.
5. Vlad’s father had handed him and his younger brother Radu over to the Ottoman Turks when he was a child—it was his father's way of promissing the Sultan his loyatly.
6. Vlad was beaten and abused while in captivity and this is where he learned most of his torture techniques.
7. Vlad ruled three separate times: Initial reign 1448 (for two months) Main reign 1456—1462(6 years) final reign 1475-1476
8. While his reign was bloody and terrifying, Vlad did unite his country and did love it deeply.
9. Vlad was 45 when he died
10. According to history, Vlad was married twice. His first wife’s name is not to be found in any history books. He won favor of the Hungarian Monarch and took a cousin of the family as his wife.
11. Vlad apparently did have one child, a son, Mihnea cel Rău who reigned from 1508 until 1509. He was then murdered by the ever untrustworthy boyars.
12. Vlad’s first wife really did commit suicide by throwing herself from her balcony into the Arges River. She believed the Turks were invading the castle. Rather than being taken prisoner, she ended her own life.
13. There are at least four versions of his death
a) he was killed in battle against the Ottoman Empire near Bucharest in December of 1476
b) he was assassinated by disloyal Wallachian boyars just as he was about to sweep the Turks from the field or during a hunt.
c) Other accounts have Vlad falling in defeat, surrounded by the bodies of his loyal Moldavian bodyguards
d) Vlad, at the moment of victory, was struck down by one of his own men.
Don’t forget to check back here regularly for contests, more trivia and prizes!
JJ
Beyond Death
Is it great or what???
I've also done a video a trailer and I'm trying to get it set up to play. Keep your fingers crossed I can.
Gotta get back to work!
JJ
