Introduction

Vlad the Third better remembered to history as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula is one of the most controversial figures in world history, remembered fondly as a Wallachian hero and defender of the Christian faith by many in Hungary even to this day. But also simultaneously reviled by others as a needlessly cruel and sadistic ruler who took great joy and pride in the agony of his enemies. The turbulent life and deeds of Vlad Dracula are already well covered in many other articles and journals and it is not his life that is of interest to us in this newsletter. No, the primary purpose of this article is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the contemporary sources from the medieval era which make reference to the death of Vlad the Impaler and attempt to better understand the discourses and theories available which aim to explain how this legendary monarch may have met his brutal and bloody end.

Theory 1 - Death in Battle Against The Turks

The first theory we will be discussing is one of the 2 prevailing thoughts from the medieval period in regards to the death of Vlad Dracula and this discourse is still strongly accepted and recognised by modern historians even to this day. This theory purports that Vlad the Impaler was killed in a battle against a coalition force consisting of soldiers from both the Ottoman Empire and the former Voivode of Wallachia Basarab Laiota. This discourse is present in the following contemporary medieval historical texts, the Rerum Hungaricum Decades a historical chronicle written by Hungarian Historian Antonio Bonfini and the Annals of Jan Długosz.

Both of these authors were alive during the reign and death of Vlad the Impaler making the evidence presented within these historical documents of great import when considering his death. The Rerum Hungaricum Decades purports that Vlad met his end in either Dec 1476 or Jan 1477 when his forces were defeated by Basarab Laiota while they were embroiled in a bitter civil war. It is believed in this battle that the forces of Basarab Laiota were further bolstered by Ottoman soldiers and that the joint armies were able to overwhelm Vlad and his 2000 soldiers. The Rerum Hungaricum Decades states that:

"Vladislaus, once more aided by Matthias, recovered his realm, but a few days afterwards, as he was crossing a bridge over a river, a band of Turks fell upon him, and he was slain fighting bravely. His head was cut off and sent to the Sultan as proof of his death."

So according to this contemporary historical text it seems that Vlad may have been ambushed while crossing a bridge and in this decisive battle Vlad would be killed in some unspecified manner. Additionally, the passages in The Rerum Hungaricum Decades state that Vlad’s head would be sent to Sultan Mehmed the 2nd as evidence that Basarab Laiota had finally put an end one of the Ottomans greatest and most feared enemies.

This viewpoint is also strengthened by the Annals of Jan Długosz a Polish historian who notes in his works that: "Vlad Dracula, the Voivode of Wallachia, met his end in battle against the Turks. Despite his valor and fierce resistance, he was overwhelmed and slain, his head sent to the Sultan as a sign of triumph."

Again another separate but contemporary source that highlights the hypothesis that Vlad Dracula was overwhelmed by Turkish forces and although Vlad and his soldiers put up a valiant defence they would perish during the battle.

Death By Assassination

However, there is an alternative discourse which is worthy of consideration and this viewpoint argues that it was not the blade of a Turk which was responsible for delivering the killing blow to Vlad the Impaler. In fact this theory argues that Vlad Dracula was assassinated by his own forces and this is the discourse presented within the historical texts the Histories by Byzantian historian Laonikos Chalcocondyles and in the works of Bishop Niccolò Modrussa. Again, these are both contemporary sources which present an additional perspective to the death of Vlad Dracula, stating that this Wallachian lord was assassinated by his own men. There is very little specifics or exact details presented in either of these sources but there are varying degrees of similarities and some differences in their retelling of Vlads final moments. The Histories states that:

"The Turks, seeing that Vlad was surrounded and had no means of escape, launched a fierce assault against him. In the midst of the battle, he was struck down by one of his own men, who had been bribed by the enemy. His head was then cut off and sent to the Sultan as proof of his death."

While the notes of Bishop Niccolò Modrussa do concur that Vlad was indeed betrayed and killed by his own soldiers, it does present some differences from the Histories as well. With the text making no reference to bribery as the cause behind this deception against Vlad Dracula. Niccolo Modrussa states that:

"Vlad Dracula, the Voivode of Wallachia, was killed in battle by the treachery of his own men, who deserted him to join the enemy. His head was cut off and sent to the Sultan as a token of victory."

CONCLUSION

Therefore, when considering the death of Vlad the Impaler contemporary historical sources agree unequivocally that Vlad did indeed perish while he was in a confrontation with soldiers from the Ottoman Empire. However, whether the individual who dealt the killing blow was an Ottoman, Boyar or one of his own men still remains shrouded in mystery. But to conclusively decide whether death in battle or assassination were the true causes of Vlads death is impossible as both possibilities are well supported in medieval historical texts and chronicles. But whatever the method of his death was, it is prudent to state that the passing of Vlad the Impaler was definitely not the end of his legend and story, as many over the centuries would draw inspiration from this controversial and enigmatic Wallachian lord.

If you found this article to be informative and engaging then please do check out my Youtube channel for more videos about the deaths of history’s greatest figures!