Vlad III the Impaler

Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century voivode of Wallachia. He is often considered one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history and a national hero of Romania. His cruel methods of punishing his enemies gained notoriety in 15th-century Europe. He was the second son of Vlad Dracul, who became the ruler of Wallachia in 1436. Vlad and his younger brother, Radu, were held as hostages in the Ottoman Empire in 1442 to secure their father's loyalty. Vlad's eldest brother Mircea and their father were murdered after John Hunyadi, regent-governor of Hungary, invaded Wallachia in 1447. Vlad embarked upon the first of a lifelong series of campaigns to regain his father's seat. His opponents included the boyars as well as his younger brother, who was supported by the Ottoman sultan. He emerged briefly victorious in 1448 but was deposed after only two months. After an eight-year struggle, Vlad again claimed the voivodate. His penchant for impaling his enemies on stakes in the ground and leaving them to die earned him the name Vlad the Impaler.