Vlad and Dracula

There are two schools of thought pertaining to the link between the historical Dracula, Vlad III of Wallachia, and Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula. On the one side, there are those who, not wrongly, wish to delineate betwixt the two, sometimes going so far as to erroneously argue no connection whatsoever. Those in the other camp, and I confess I belong to this latter, celebrate the connection; sometimes my allies on this side of the fence go too far as well, trying to argue for a stronger link than actually exists, or than can be proven, at any rate.

People in the first camp will always talk about “Vlad the Impaler.” Thing is, “impaler” was not his name. It was a mere nickname, possibly pejorative. The man’s name was Dracula. It’s as simple as that. And while Bram Stoker left no record of his knowing much about that man *other* than his name, there is no doubt that this limited knowledge was sufficient to inspire him to christen his vampiric villain with the same name and to imply that the latter and the former were one and the same. Stop it with this “Impaler” stuff. His name was—IS—DRACULA. If one wishes to include the nickname, the historical figure should be referred to as Vlad III Dracula, aka “The Impaler.” His real name should not be obscured or denied to benefit a position in an argument.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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