The Tree of Europe · Person

Vlad III of Wallachia

«the Impaler»

Voivode of Wallachia, known as Vlad Țepeș, “the Impaler”. His violent struggle for power and confrontation with Mehmed II created a reputation that literature would transform centuries later into the Dracula myth.

1431 – c. 1476VoivodeBasarab · ES

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This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1431 Documented

Death: 1476 Approximate

Role: Voivode

Other recorded names: Vlad Țepeș · Vlad Drăculea · Drácula

Dynasty: Basarab · ES

Territories: Wallachia (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Voivode · Wallachia · Voivodeship Pending review1448–1448Effective rule

Voivode · Wallachia · Voivodeship Pending review1456–1462Effective rule

Voivode · Wallachia · Voivodeship Pending review1476–1476Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Vlad II Dracul · ESPending review

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

6 recorded claims · 5 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (1/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
1431
Britannica gives 1431.Recorded alternatives: 1430 (GND)
Encyclopaedia Britannica · Vlad the Impaler · Heading: “born 1431, Sighișoara”Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Vital data: birth date (1430)
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathApproximate
1476
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Family and relationships (0/1 with a precise source)

FatherPending review
Vlad II Dracul
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (0/3 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Voivode · Wallachia · 1448–1448
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Voivode · Wallachia · 1456–1462
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
GovernmentPending review
Voivode · Wallachia · 1476–1476
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (2)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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Story · Spanish original

Dracula: behind the legend

Vlad III, Wallachia and the distance between a prince and a vampire

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