It is thought that Stoker chose the name Dracula upon finding it in an obscure history book. Previously the Count had been called Count Wampyr. Many historians link the name to a real life Romanian prince who was well known for being strict and cruel. The prince was Vlad III Dracula. Depending upon translation or perspective Vlad is synonymous with Dragon or Devil- the "a" was added to the end of the family name (Dracul) to indicate 'son of.' He was also known as Vlad Tepes (pronounced Tepesh) - Vlad the Impaler - named for his penchant for executing his enemies by impaling them on large wooden stakes. It is also reputed that he favored mass executions, enjoyed a banquet that was set up amid the dying and enjoyed torturing his victims. Although notorious for his sadism, he was respected by his subjects as he waged fierce wars against the Turks, tolerated no crime and erected several monasteries. Despite his authoritarian power he was overthrown twice, ruling only for three brief periods. He died violently in 1476, aged 45, and his body was buried on the monastic island of Snagov. His head, however, is said to have been taken to Constantinople as proof to the sultan of his death. Contrary to popular belief his castle does not exist in Transylvania. Although born in that area (now northern Romania) in 1431, he ruled the area of Wallachia (now Southern Romania).
Despite his atrocities the real life Dracula was not a vampire. In fact he is remembered as something of a national hero in Romania and was honored by the communist regime with a postage stamp. However, Hungarian Countess Elisabeth Bathroy certainly enjoyed blood and the cruelty attached to its attainment. By her own writing she claims to have had 650 victims, mostly peasant servants. She reportedly would bite large pieces of their flesh, torture them further, and bathe in their blood. Dracula
