THE POSTMEDIEVAL DRACULA

In the Romanian cultural context, the historical figure has been hailed as a national hero. He is celebrated for his honesty and fierce fighting, as well as for his efforts to maintain justice and order in his land. Outside of Romania, however, the stories and myths that have emerged about Vlad, some even during his lifetime, have been gruesome and demonizing. They have also evolved over time, propelling subsequent shocking narratives and transformations of the historical figure and his deeds through local tales. These narratives have enabled Vlad III to maintain his popularity into the present, taking on new guises and features in different media to suit the changing cultural contexts and fantasies of the postmedieval period.

Textual and archaeological sources, alongside the visual record in the form of paintings, prints, drawings, manuscript decorations,