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The True History of Dracula
by [Mordigen]
NOTE: there have been messages and comments made about the accuracy of the content and information regarding this article, and I would like to clarify that YES, there are many contradicting records regarding the information of the true story behind Dracula and Vald the Impaler. This article is based upon findings, records and theories that may be controversial to some, but that are based upon the comparison between the novel and the actual historical character. It should be kept in mind that these theories and records are contradictory to some, and are *not* the only findings and beliefs regarding Vlad Tepes and should not be taken as the *only* histories or beliefs of his life, actions or death, but that these were chosen specifically for the comparison factor and should not be taken out of context as being the *only* information upon the novel, the underlying history of the novel's inspiration or Vlad Tepes himself. Many thanks.
Nearly everyone, of any age, in countries and cultures worldwide, know the legend and story of Dracula. It's a classic, how could you not, right? Well what some may not know is that Dracula was in fact a real person, and though the dark, tragicly romantic story of Brahm Stoker's Dracula was a fictionaly story, a large portion of it was historically accurate, rooted in the grim history of the Carpthian region of Transylvania, Romania. It is no secret that Dracula had been inspired and based upon the legendary warlod Vlad the Impaler, but not many actually know just how indepth Stoker went in studying, researching and creating this character upon a real life Demon.
It is only practical to start with the most obvious: the name itself. Dracula, or more fomrmally, Count Dracula. But where did this name come from? We know that to this day Dracula's Castle is a major point of tourism in Romania, thousands travel to this castle every year to catch a glimpse of the home of this infamous literary icon, and infamous war icon, but does it hold any legitimate ties to the literary work? Yes, Dracula's castle is in fact named Dracula's Castle, named after it's owner, resider and reignant, Count Vladimir Dracule.
Vlad was one of the key princes of the 9 rings of Kings that lead the Crusades, the Prince of the Order of the Dragon, thus being named Count Dracule, or Draculia in romanian tongue, loosely translated to "Prince of Dragons". It was this title that gave birth to Dracula, and naming him as a Count, because the person indeed was historically Count Dracule.
Now, moving on to the second most obvious: Vampire. It is said in Sotker's Dracula that he faithfully served God until his beloved wife was tricked into taking her own life, at which point he was so heartbroken he condemned God and drank of his own blood as an oath to his hatred to God. This betrayal then lead him to be condemned as the undead immortal, who must feed upon blood to live, and may only be killed by driving a wooden steak through the heart, or decapitation. Now, where on earth did Stoker come up with this stuff? Truthfull? Stoker was not all that creative, he had a lot to go on. Historically, Vlad Tepis was one of the greatest warlords of the Crusades, overpowering many of his own allies in comparison, and brutally forcing contries and peoples into bidding to the Church's will by horrid displays of impaling and decapitating the victims while still alive. This where both rumours of vampir slaying were born, the wood steak symbolizing impalement, and the decapitation by Tepis' means of beheading his vistims and displaing their heads upon steaks as warning to incoming armies. The story of the vimpirism itself bore from his grusome attacks, and what seemed to be an insatiable blood lust on the battlefield. There are even traces of several accounts that stated Tepis would regularly proactice cannibalism to terrify his people into submission.
This and his grusom battle tactis can obviously be seen as inspiration for the dark, inhuman bloodlust of vampires. But where does the undead immortal come into play? Very simply, actually. This condemnation was actually historically accurate, though not on a devine level has accounted in the book. Tepis' continuous and excessively vulgar, grusome and morbid acts eventually lead him to be condemned and exiled from the Churhc, in which case he was stated to believed to be a living incarnation of the Devil and was banished under pain of death to remain upon his own lands; thus creating the foundation for the hellsome reputation of Vampires, the belief that a crucifix or holy water may frighten or deteere a vampir, and also is what many believe to be one of the reasonings behind the myth of vampires needing to bathe or sleep amongst the soil of their homelands -- As Dracula did in several occasions within the literary work.
An, now...what of Mia? It is known that Vladinir Dracule did indeed have a wife, who happened to have fallen to her death from one of the towers of the Castle, just has Dracula's beloved Mia had in the classic work, though wether it was suicidal, accidental or homicidal is debated among scholars and scientists. Though, it is believed that both Tepis and his wife were burried side by side, some even saying in the same sarcofocace, beneath the Dracula's Castle. A logical explanation to assume that Tepis, even if not the loving creature as he was, bore some deep feelings, care or love for his wife, which very may well have been the inspiration for the tragic love story found in Stoker's novel.
Whait...what about all the other Vampire sterotypes?? There is along huge list of vampire sterotypes that have developed over the years from many cultures -- a lot of them are simply legends, myth and stereotypes, and nothing more, but there are a few that have legitimate standings in the Tepis legend as well. As far as Vampires not being able to go out in the light of day, well, obviously that is just a stereo type. Dracula, widely looked upon as the Godfather of all vampire literature, went about during the day in persuit of his lost love Mia very commonly, thus shattering that myth - but, it is believed that this myth durrived from the Tepis himself, as studies in historical records, and even some medical studies done on a few bones extraceted from Tepis' grave shows that he may have suffered from a severe and prolonged case of anemia - an iron deficiancey that causes extremely pale skin, and high sensitivity to the sun. Another sterotype well linked to Tepis is the infoumous Vampire Fangs, though it is not *proven* to be undoubtably true, there have been testamonial records suggesting that Tepis would file his teeth to fine points to intimidate his enemies and victims, and other accounts that state that he bore an extravagant helmet bearin his kingdom's crest - the dragon - which covered his face and strechted down over his jaw, where the Fangs of the Dragon helm would crown his upper jawline, making it apprea as if he himself had the vicious fangs of a Dragon. Though there are still other legneds, that can even be found amongst Stoker's works, that seem to be nothing more than fiction and myth - such as Dracula's capability to transform into bats or wolves, etc etc.
All in all, as remarkable and creative Stoker may have been, his classic piece has far more history and roots than many may know, leaving it to be a far more entriguing and inspiring tale, that perhaps we truely may never know what is entirely accurate, or fictional, but will certainly seduce our minds and inspirations. Something that will be remembered in history on far more than one simple level.
~[
Mordigen]
Resources and Bibliography:
-Encyclopedia Britanica Vol. IV, XII, XVII, XIX - 1981-1992
-'Behind the Book : A history of Dracula and Vlad the Impaler' a national geographic documentary presentation, 1998
-'Liars & Legends : Vlad Tepes' a TLC (the learning channel) documentery presentation, 2001 & AE channel (arts & entertainment) presentation
-Transcripts of Braham Stoker's own personal notes and journals on writing "Dracula", from the Rosenbach Museum in philadelphia, PA
-Wikipedia Articles - 'Vlad Tepes', 'Vlad Dracule', 'Vlad Dracula', 'Count Dracula', 'Dracula', 'Braham Stoker'
-'Legends of the Vampire' History Channel documentary presentation, 2001
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