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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Dracula one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Bram Stoker]]One of the greatest characters in all of horror fiction is Count Dracula. The character is very well-known around the globe worldwide and has appeared in countless books, movies, and even video games. Dracula first appeared in an epistolary novel, written by the Irish author Brahm Stoker in the late nineteenth century. The novel's success of the novel and subsequent adaptations ensured that Count Dracula has stayed in the popular imagination ever since.  There has been much speculation as to whether or not the fictional character was based on a real-life historical figure. This article examines those historical figures which may have inspired the Irishman to create his immortal Count Dracula. It also discusses the possibility that Irish mythological figures inspired the development of the character was inspired by Irish mythological figures. [[File: Dracula one.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Brahm Stoker]] ====Vampires in European lorefolklore====Many cultures have myths and legends about vampires and the first known references to these beings were in Ancient Mesopotamia. These figures are very common in European legends, especially in the Balkans. Traditions about the vampire are in particular very much associated with Romania. Vampires are typically beings, who were once human, had died, and continue to exist because they are feeding on some vital force, usually the blood of the living. They are classed as a species of revenant and that is a visible ghost or spirit. Typically, they were criminals, social deviants, witches, and suicides, in life. These undead figures would haunt their old homes and remote areas. They are usually portrayed as evil figures who do harm to innocent people and often kill them, in their efforts to obtain blood <ref> Frayling, Christopher (Vampyres, Lord Byron to Count Dracula (London: Faber, 1991), p 6 </ref>. In various folktales vampires not only killed the innocent, but they turned them into blood-suckers. There is plenty of archaeological evidence that shows that people from all over Europe took preventative measures to ensure that the dead did not return to haunt the living as vampires, such as driving stakes into the heart of a corpse or placing stones in their mouths. Many historians believe that the folk beliefs of vampires arose because of misunderstandings or ignorance of what happened to the body after death. Beliefs in vampires was once pervasive especially in Eastern Europe and there were many instances of mass hysteria brought about by the fear of the undead who drank the blood of the living. Indeed, in the past many innocent people were brutally executed during these hysterias because they were alleged to be vampires, even as late as the eighteenth century <ref>Frayling, p 11</ref>.

===Count Dracula==Stoker (1847-1912) was not Many cultures have myths and legends about vampires, and the first known references to write about vampiresthese beings were in Ancient Mesopotamia. Polidori and Sheridan Le Fanu previously wrote about Vampires and these tales These figures are considered to be masterpieces of prevalent in European legends, especially in the genreBalkans. Stoker’s, character was different, and Traditions about the vampire is as a are in particular very ambiguous and even much associated with Romania. Vampires are typically beings, who were once human figure, unlike the traditional depictions of the beings as simply hideous and monstrous, beings. In the Irishman’s workhad died, Count Dracula’s early years are only briefly discussed. It appears that he was a member of the landed nobility and belonged continue to the Selkyer ethnic group, who exist because they are kin to the Hungarians. The native land of the Count is described as the land beyond the forestfeeding on some vital force, this is an old term to refer to usually the region of Transylvania in modern Romanialiving blood. Count Dracula we They are told was an outstanding figure in his times. He was classed as a leader species of his people revenant, and was also that is a great knightvisible ghost or spirit. The Count was very brave  Typically, they were criminals, social deviants, witches, and suicides, in the defense of his homeland against the Ottoman Turks, who constantly attacked his peoplelife. In Stoker’s novel, Dracula was a great warrior These undead figures would haunt their old homes and knight remote areas. They are usually portrayed as evil figures who fearlessly fought the Muslim Turks do harm to innocent people and helped often kill them in their efforts to maintain the freedom of his native land and peopleobtain blood. The character is shown to be possessed of great intellect and a ferocious curiosity <ref> Bram Stoker Frayling, Christopher (Vampyres, Lord Byron to Count Dracula edited by Nina Auerbach and David J. Skal (London: Faber, Norton1991), 1997)p 6 </ref> In many folktales, vampires not only killed the innocent, but they turned them into blood-suckers. There was no science or art is plenty of archaeological evidence that shows that people from all over Europe took preventative measures to ensure that he the dead did not study. However, like Faust, he grew dissatisfied with science and reason and began return to study haunt the dark arts and in particular alchemy and black magic. Stoker has his character studying magic and alchemy in an academy in living as vampires, such as driving stakes into the Carpathian Mountains in his native Transylvania. Despite this Dracula is heart of a very respected figure who falls corpse or placing stones in love and marriestheir mouths. When his wife commits suicide Many historians believe that vampires' folk beliefs arose because of a false report misunderstandings or ignorance of his what happened to the body after death, Dracula is distraught <ref>Stoker, p 24</ref>. The local Orthodox priests refuse to bury his wife Beliefs in vampires were once pervasive, because suicide is a mortal sinespecially in Eastern Europe, and told him that she would never see Heaven. The Count is outraged and renounces his Christianity and turns to the dark side. In his anger, he commits various acts there were many instances of sacrilege. When he wounds some religious figures’, he drinks their blood and at this point, he becomes a vampire. Stoker shows the Count as voluntarily becoming a vampire. Later he dies and is entombed but leaves his burial place every night and continues to live in his castle, attended mass hysteria brought about by three female bloodsuckers. Stoker portrays the Count as having a series of supernatural powers and these include the ability to become invisible and to turn those he bit also into vampires <ref> Stoker, p 117</ref>. Moreover, he is described as the leaders fear of the undead and those who drank the blood of the living. Stoker shows Dracula to be hundreds of years oldIndeed, but he appears to be young and even attractive. This was because in the blood of his past, many victims allowed him innocent people were brutally executed during these hysterias because they were alleged to stay young. In the Irishman’s novelbe vampires, the character is shown traveling to England even as late as part of his attempt to dominate the worldeighteenth century. He is thwarted and later killed. Many of the characteristics of the <ref>Frayling, p 11</ref> ====Count were added by later writers and filmmakers. However, every representation of Dracula has been decisively influenced by the Dubliner’s novel. ====

==Vlad the Impaler==In Stoker’s work, Stoker (147-1912) was not the Count is speculated first to be the voivode (prince) write about vampires. Polidori and Sheridan Le Fanu previously wrote about Vampires, and these tales are considered masterpieces of Transylvaniathe genre. This would seem to indicate that the Count Stoker’s character was different, and the revenant vampire is a very ambiguous and even human figure, unlike the traditional depictions of the ghost of an infamous Romanian hero beings as simply hideous and monarchmonstrous beings. This was Vlad Tepes in Romania or as he is known in EnglishIn Stoker's work, Vlad the ImpalerCount Dracula’s early years are only briefly discussed. He It appears that he was the son a member of the prince of Wallachialanded nobility and belonged to the Selkyer ethnic group, which who are kin to the Hungarians. The native land is described as the land beyond the forest; this description is now an old term referring to Transylvania in modern Romania and some of which encompassed the Transylvania<ref>.  Count Dracula, Trowwe are told, Mwas a prominent figure in his times. J. Vlad the Impaler: In Search He was a leader of the Real Dracula (Leeds, his people and was also a great knight. The History PressCount was very brave in defending his homeland against the Ottoman Turks, 2003)who regularly attacked his people. In Stoker’s novel, p. 6</ref>. Vlad Dracula was a great warrior and knight who fearlessly fought the second son Muslim Turks and helped maintain his native land and people's freedom. The character is shown to be possessed of the Prince of Wallachia great intellect and he a ferocious curiosity.<ref> Bram Stoker Dracula edited by Nina Auerbach and David J. Skal (London, Norton, 1997)</ref> There was sent as a hostage to the court of the Ottoman Sultanno science or art that he did not study. He came under pressure to convert to IslamHowever, like Faust, but he refused but he also served with distinction grew dissatisfied with science and reason and began to study the dark arts and, in the elite corps known as the Janissariesparticular, alchemy and black magic. In 1447, the famous Hungarian war leader John Hunyadi invaded Walachia Stoker has his character studying magic and killed Vlad’s father and brother and occupied alchemy in an academy in the areaCarpathian Mountains in his native Transylvania. Vlad with Ottoman support entered Wallachia  Although this Dracula is a very respected figure, who falls in love and tried to defeat the Hungarians who had made marries when his cousin wife commits suicide because of a puppet ruler false report of his death, he is distraught.<ref>TrowStoker, p 4524</ref>. He was unable The local Orthodox priests refuse to oust the usurper bury his wife, because suicide is a mortal sin, and told him that she would never see Heaven. The Count is outraged and renounces his Christianity and he was forced turns to become a wandering exilethe dark side. In 1456his anger, the Hungarians abandoned he commits various acts of sacrilege. When he wounds some religious figures’, he drinks their protégé and they gave Vlad supportblood, and he becomes a vampire at this allowed him to become point.  Stoker shows the ruler of WallachiaCount as voluntarily becoming a vampire. Vlad was opposed by many including German settlers. He dealt with then ruthlessly Later he dies and he impaled is entombed but leaves his burial place every night and continues to live in his castle, attended by three female bloodsuckers. Stoker portrays the rebelsCount as having a series of supernatural powers, and this led these include the ability to him being called Vlad the Impalerbecome invisible and turn those he bit also into vampires. Later he murdered any poor person or beggar in his realms<ref> Stoker, believing they were social parasites. He attacked p 117</ref>  Moreover, he is described as the Ottoman Empire undead leaders and massacred tens those who drank the blood of thousands the living. Stoker portrays Dracula to be hundreds of peopleyears old, impaling but he appears to be young because his manyvictims' blood allowed him to stay young. The prince fought several battles with In the Irishman’s novel, the Turks and at the night-battle character is shown traveling to England as part of Tagoviste, nearly captured his attempt to dominate the Sultan world. He is thwarted and later killed almost twenty-thousand Turks <ref>Trow, p 56</ref>. The Wallachians at this stage were more afraid Later writers and filmmakers added many of the characteristics of the Count. However, every representation of Dracula has been decisively influenced by Stoker’s interpretation of their own ruler than the Ottomans and they began to desert himcharacter. ====Vlad the Impaler====In Stoker’s work, and he was later forced from power and imprisoned by the HungariansCount is speculated to be the voivode (prince) of Transylvania. Later he attempted to regain his crown but This would indicate that the Count was killed in battle in 1477. As we can see there are similarities between Vlad the Impaler and revenant of the fictional Count Dracula, they both fought the Turks, for exampleghost of an infamous Romanian hero and monarch. However, the Count This was once a tolerant and beneficent ruler and person and that was not the case with Vlad Tepes in Romania or, as he is known in English, Vlad the Impaler. Then there is He was the issue son of impalingWallachia's prince, which is now in modern Romania and some of which encompassed the Count was never shown to have impaled anyone while Transylvania.<ref>, Trow, M. J. Vlad Tepes had many thousands impaled. However, the Count’s name is derived from the cognomen Impaler: In Search of the terrifying ruler of Wallachia<ref>TrowReal Dracula (Leeds, p 78The History Press, 2003), p. 6</ref>. His father's name Vlad was Vlad Dracul or Vlad the Dragon, this cognomen second son of the Prince of Wallachia, and he was adopted by him after he became sent as a member of hostage to the chivalrous Order court of the Dragon Ottoman Sultan. This name became He came under pressure to convert to Islam, but he refused, but he also distinguished the surname of Vlad’s family and indeed it became elite corps known as the dynastic name of the princely rulers of WallachiaJanissaries. It appears that Stoker adapted  In 1447, the surname of Dracul famous Hungarian war leader John Hunyadi invaded Walachia, killed Vlad’s father and brother, and transformed it into Draculaoccupied the area. ==Elizabeth Báthory== Báthory was a Hungarian noblewoman Vlad, with Ottoman support, entered Wallachia and tried to defeat the Hungarians who owned large estates in Central Europehad made his cousin a puppet ruler. She belonged <ref>Trow, p 45</ref> He was unable to one of oust the most powerful Hungarian familiesusurper, and he was forced to become a wandering exile. In her castle along with a few accomplices1456, she murdered hundreds the Hungarians abandoned their protégé, and they gave Vlad support, which allowed him to become the ruler of young girlsWallachia. It appears that Báthory Vlad was one of the world’s worst serial killers in European historyopposed by many, including German settlers. She was accused of He dealt with them ruthlessly, and he impaled the rebels, which led to him being called Vlad the torture and murder of poor girls and servantsImpaler. The Hungarian noblewoman was never brought to trial because of her connections and was confined Later he murdered any poor person or beggar in a cell until her deathhis realms, believing they were social parasites. There are He attacked the Ottoman Empire and massacred tens of thousands of people, impaling many tales told about Báthory crimesChristians. They often link her to vampirism such as drinking The prince fought several battles with the Turks and bathing in blood. This later led many to suppose that she inspired Stoker to create the character at the night-battle of Dracula. HoweverTagoviste, apart from nearly captured the obvious fact that she was a woman while the Count was a maleSultan and killed almost twenty-thousand Turks.<ref>Trow, there is also the fact that many of the stories about her vampiric tendencies were later inventions p 56</ref> Thorne, Tony. Countess Dracula (London At this stage, Bloomsburythe Wallachians were more afraid of their own ruler than the Ottomans and began to desert him, 1997), p 14 </ref>and he was later forced from power and imprisoned by the Hungarians. ==Irish Vampires==Stoker Later he attempted to regain his crown but was a regular visitor to the Irish countryside and partly grew up killed in County Sligobattle in 1477. At this timeAs we can see, he may have head many legends of ghosts there are similarities between Vlad the Impaler and monstersthe fictional Count Dracula. In particular, he may have heard They both fought the legend of AbhartachTurks, which in Gaelic means dwarffor example. He However, the Count was an ancient chieftain once a tolerant and a cruel beneficent rulerand person, who also practiced black magic. He which was so cruel and evil who was assassinated by his own kin and buriednot the case with Vlad the Impaler. Then there is the issue of impaling. However, it appears that he rose from the dead and began The Count was never shown to kill have impaled anyone he found and drank their blood, while Vlad Tepes had many thousands impaled. In Celtic mythology he However, the Count’s name is portrayed in ways that are very similar to derived from the stereotypical vampire cognomen of the terrifying ruler of Wallachia. <ref> MiddletonTrow, Ian; Douglas Elwell; Jim Fitzpatrick Mysterious World: Ireland(Dublinp 78</ref> His father's name was Vlad Dracul or Vlad the Dragon, Elwell, Inc. 2006), pphe adopted this cognomen after he became a member of the chivalrous Order of the Dragon. 717–718 </ref>. The supposed grave This name became the surname of Vlad’s family, and indeed it became the dynastic name of the princely rulers of Abhartach can be visited in Northern IrelandWallachia. There are many other tales of vampires in Ireland such as It appears that Stoker adopted the abbess who drank the blood surname of her nunsDracul and transformed it into Dracula. Then there is the fabled Sidhe,  ====Elizabeth Báthory==== Báthory was a race of blood-sucking fairies Hungarian noblewoman who lived owned large estates in a magical fortress in the mountainsCentral Europe. It seems very likely that Stoker who was very interested in folklore was conversant with She belonged to one of the tradition of blood-sucking revenants and ghosts in the Irish countryside <ref>Middletonmost powerful Hungarian families. In her castle, along with a few accomplices, pshe murdered hundreds of young girls. 45</ref>. ==Conclusion==Count Dracula is It appears that Báthory was one of the best-known figures world’s worst serial killers in the horror genreEuropean history. With regard to the figure who inspired the vampire, it She was evidently not Elizabeth Báthory. While the creator accused of the Count torture and murder of poor girls and servants.  She was clearly familiar with Irish blood sucking revenants and fairies they do not appear never brought to have inspired him to create the bloodsuckertrial because of her connections and was confined in a cell until her death. It is clear that Vlad the Impaler was the one historical figure who inspired the character of DraculaThere are many tales told about Báthory crimes. This is seen They often link her to vampirism, such as drinking and bathing in his nationality and the fact blood. This later led many to suppose that he fought against she inspired Stoker to create the Turks like the fictional characterof Dracula. More significantly it can be seen in However, apart from the name of obvious fact that she was a woman while the Countwas a male, which was clearly based on Vlad’s surname Dracul. While it there is highly likely that also the Irish horror writer based his character on Vlad fact that many of the Impalerstories about her vampiric tendencies were later inventions.<ref> Thorne, in many ways the vampire is the creation of his imagination. Many of the traits of the Count are entirely fictional. Tony. Countess Dracula (London, Bloomsbury, 1997), p 14 </ref> ====Irish Vampires====Stoker was a regular visitor to the Irish countryside and partly grew up in County Sligo. At this time, he may have heard many legends of ghosts and monsters. In particular, he may have heard the legend of Abhartach, which in Gaelic means dwarf. He was an ancient chieftain and a cruel ruler who also practiced black magic. He was so cruel and evil who was assassinated by his own kin and buried. However, it appears that he rose from the dead and began to kill anyone he found and drank their blood.  In Celtic mythology, he is portrayed in ways that are very similar to the stereotypical vampire.<ref> Middleton, Ian; Douglas Elwell; Jim Fitzpatrick Mysterious World: Ireland(Dublin, Elwell, Inc. 2006), pp. 717–718 </ref> The supposed grave of Abhartach can be visited in Northern Ireland. There are many other tales of vampires in Ireland, such as the abbess who drank her nuns' blood. Then there is the fabled Sidhe, a race of blood-sucking fairies who lived in a magical fortress in the mountains. It seems very likely that Stoker, who was very interested in folklore, was conversant with the tradition of blood-sucking revenants and ghosts in the Irish countryside.<ref>Middleton, p. 45</ref> ====Conclusion====Count Dracula is one of the best-known figures in the horror genre. About the figure who inspired the vampire, it was evidently not Elizabeth Báthory. While the Count's creator was clearly familiar with Irish blood-sucking revenants and fairies, they do not appear to have inspired him to create Dracula. It is clear that Vlad the Impaler was the one historical figure who inspired the character of Dracula. This is seen in his nationality and the fact that he fought against the Turks like the fictional character. More significantly, it can be seen in the name of the Count, which was clearly based on Vlad’s surname Dracul. While it is highly likely that the Irish horror writer based his character on Vlad the Impaler, the vampire is the creation of his imagination in many ways. Many of the traits of the Count are entirely fictional. ====Further Reading==Further Reading==

Stoker, Bram. Dracula's Guest and Other Weird Tales (London, Penguin UK, 2006).

<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0ThKRmySoU</youtube> ====References====<references/>{{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Historically Accurate]] [[Category:European History]] [[Category:Irish History]]