Aces project

A Chronicle of Dracula’s deeds in an incunabulum

by W. SALGÓ Ágnes

The first newspaper-like printings were published around 1480. They spoke about current events like the Turkish wars and, starting from the nineties, about the discovery of the new world. At fairs and markets, creepy stories were also very popular, so they had to be published again and again.

From 1485 to the mid-16^th century the story of Dracula’s cruelties was common knowledge. At the time, the horrible deeds of Vald Tepes, Prince of Walachia, were notorious all over Europe. In all probability, the earliest of the booklets relating his horrific deeds was printed by Bartholomaeus Gothan in Lübeck around 1485. The only existing copy of the booklet relates in German language the atrocities of the prince who impaled every opponent in Transylvania and Walachia between 1456 and 1462.

However, there is an earlier manuscript in the university library of Heidelberg which contains Michael Becheim`s verses about Dracula. Beheim was a German wandering minstrel who, starting from 1456, was employed by Ulrich of Celje and later by Ladislas V of Hungary and Czechia up till the latter’s death in November 1457. Beheim arrived at the court of Friedrich III in 1462 and he also mentioned his source in writing about Dracula: he had heard the stories from a monk fleeing from the prince himself, seeking refuge in a monastery. His account is probably the source of many other manuscripts on a similar topic. There are other manuscripts dating back to the 15<sup>th</sup> century, but Beheim`s variant remains the most detailed, completed with later events like the fact that the prince was taken prisoner by King Mathias` order in 1462.

Dracula’s real personality and deeds are related in different ways by historians. Some of them – especially Romanian historians - emphasize his bravery in fighting against the Turks and they consider that all descriptions of his deeds of horror are pure slander. Although they recognize the atrocities they claim that the Transylvanian Saxons and King Mathias were responsible for the negative propaganda which inspired all written work.

Naturally, it would be very hard to answer all arising questions, but we can make an outline of the most important events in Dracula’s life.

Vlad Tepes (“Vlad the Impaler”) was probably born at some point between 1429 and 1437. His father, Vlad Dracul or “Vlad the Devil” (whose mother was, in all probability, of Hungarian descent) was brought up and gained knighthood in King Sigismund`s court, who made him Prince of Walachia in 1431 and also conferred on him the Order of the Dragon.. His son Vlad Tepes grew up in the court of Janos Hunyadi (King Mathias` father) and it was with his support that he became Prince of Walachia in 1456. That is when the atrocities started especially among the Transylvanian Saxons and in Walachia where there were constant attacks by Turkish troops and also internal contentions. Tens of thousands of people were impaled, almost entire villages were literally exterminated after horrible torture, even the special envoys sent by Mohammed II were exterminated. Historian ELEKES Lajos writes that Tepes was the only leader capable of putting an end, at least temporarily, to corruption and decay. He consolidated his position by a legendary cruelty. According to CHALKOKONDILAS, he had everyone executed whom he considered unreliable, together with all his family members. He had a lust for power but his position was not secure because of the many pretenders.

The Lubeck incunabulum is an account of his deeds of horror, committed especially in the Brasov area and in Walachia before 1462, when King Mathias had him captured and imprisoned in Buda for a long time. The last lines of the print relate that during his imprisonment the prince repented his deeds, was christened and later he became a good Christian ruler in his country.

Dracula’s figure appears in Bonfini`s writings as well, who mentions the fact that King Mathias supported him and even had plans of having him marry one of his relatives. Bonfini does not know the reason why King Mathias later had him imprisoned. Regarding Dracula’s character, Bonfini mentions his cruelty and strictness. There was such strict discipline in the country that even in the middle of a forest one could be safe.

Dracula was killed in the war against the Turks and his head was sent to Mohammed II.

There is much controversy regarding the reason why Dracula was imprisoned. Some historians speak about a secret letter, intended for the eyes of the Turkish Sultan, in which Dracula would have repented for earlier antagonism and offered alliance against the Hungarian King. A copy of the letter was sent to the Pope and Pope Pius II mentioned it in his historical work. Whether the letter was forged or not is still doubtful and, consequently, there is no hard evidence pointing to why the prince was imprisoned. The fight for power and political considerations may very well have interacted in this turn of events. Since he was related to Mathias` family, he was probably not imprisoned but taken into custody in Mathias` court. What is more, we cannot be sure about the place where Vlad was held as a prisoner, even if there are several suppositions.

The Lubeck incunabulum ends with the prince’s return to his home and the fact that he became a good Christian ruler, but it does not mention the fact of his death.

Dracula’s deeds of horror were well known all over Europe. The incunabulum contains an illustration, which is a xylograph of Dracula, and several other portraits are known.

Up to the 16^th century, there are 13 different printed documents about Dracula’s deeds.

It is obvious that any account of any personality’s deeds must have been seriously affected by a series of factors like political trends, ideas, intentions or high interests. Therefore it is impossible to determine to what extent the related events belong to the realm of legends or to that of reality…

It is true that Dracula’s life has influenced many writers and artists. Probably the best known of these is Bram Stoker`s novel written in the 19^th century.