Vlad the Impaler Never Drank Blood

Vlad III of Wallachia, born in 1431, inherited the name Dracula, meaning son of the Dragon, from his father’s knightly Order of the Dragon. In 1462 he drove back Sultan Mehmed II, and the Byzantine historian Laonikos Chalkokondyles described a valley of impaled bodies outside Târgoviște. German printers soon turned him into a bestselling monster, yet no source from his lifetime says he drank blood. In 1890, Bram Stoker found the name in a footnote in William Wilkinson’s 1820 book at the Whitby public library, and researcher Elizabeth Miller found no mention of impalement anywhere in Stoker’s notes. If you enjoyed this story, you can explore the books, audiobook, workbook, and guides from The Midnight Library here: 🕯️📚 👉 https://themidnightart.com/collections/books-audiobooks-guides If you’d like to support the continuation of this work, you can become a member or leave a Super Thanks. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwGYQ1Lgt_i4pEK0JOdUSzQ/join Support is never expected — but always deeply appreciated. ❤️ Thank you for being here, and for spending this time in the library. 🕯️✨ For those who resonate with the visual world of The Midnight Library, a curated collection of art and apparel inspired by these themes is available here: 👉 https://themidnightart.com/ For ambient, chant, and cinematic music inspired by ancient traditions, visit The Midnight Library Music: 👉 / @themidnightlibrarymusic For intimate and emotional musical compositions, explore The Romantic Guy: 👉 / @theromanticguy Every story in The Midnight Library opens another door. 🕯️🔑 #VladTheImpaler #Dracula #BramStoker #RealDracula #Transylvania #HalloweenHistory #HistoryShorts