~ Vlad Dracul ~

Dracul gained his fame far beyond his position in world politics, greater even than his time in history, a rough and dangerous period beset by contant war, almost as dreadful as our own. He was infamous in Romania and its neiboring countries during his life time for commiting the worst crime history had known.
He created a "Forest of the Impaled" which lined the roads to welcome invading troops and all visitors at the borders of his country. Pregnant women, children, young and old men were staked, the sharp poles thrust between their buttocks, the body being pulled downwards untill the sharp point appeared through the throat or top of the head, the wooden pole was then planted in the monstrous forest. This was the first sign to deter anyone, intended to prevent crime or treson against the terrible Dracul, leader of the wretched country.
When emissaries refused, out of custom, to remove their hats in his presence, he told them that he only wanted to honour and strengthen their custom, and nailed the hats to their heads.
Whether a heroic leader of armies or a monster, Dracul seems to be still more interesting than his fictional romantic counterpart, and he can now be revealed in full light within the historical context of his ravaged times.

One day Dracul met a peasant who was wearing to short a shirt. One could also notice his homespun peasant trousers, which were glued to his legs, and one could make out the sides of his thighs. When he saw him dressed in such a manner, Dracul immediately ordered him to be brought to court. "Are you married?" he enquired. "Yes, I am, Your Highness." "Your wife is assuredley the kind who remains idle. How is it possible that your shirt does does not cover the calf of your leg? She is not worthy of living in my realm. May she perish!" "Beg forgiveness, my lord, but I am satisfied with her. She never leaves home and she is honest." "You will be more stisfied with another scince you are a decent and hardworking man." Two of Dracul's men had in the meantime brought the wretched woman to him, and she was immediately impaled. Then bringing another woman, he gave her away to be married to the peasant widower. Dracul, however, was careful to show the new wife what had happened to her predecessor and explain to her the reasons why she had incurred the princely wrath. Consequently, the new wife worked so hard she had no time to eat. She placed the bread on one shoulder, the salt on the other, and worked in this fashion. She tried hard to give greater satisfaction to her new husband than the first wife not to incur the curse of Dracul.













Requiem