VLAD’S SEQUEL

The strength of the Ottoman Empire would leave Hungary adopting a defensive position. King Matthias Corvinus hoped to secure his southern border through fortifications, inflicting damages into enemy territory, and the use of excessive propaganda in the west, trying to motivate other European powers to financially support the recruitment of mercenaries. Vlad the Impaler, notorious for his cruelty but also for his astonishing military successes, was predestined to lead the charge.

By Albert Weber

Keeping Vlad the Impaler in custody undoubtedly meant a considerable wasting of military talent and resources. After the brutal treatment of Ottoman envoys and later the daring and repeated attacks against the sultan himself, Matthias Corvinus sacrificed Vlad for his immediate goals. Seeking peace with the Ottomans in order to deal with domestic troubles and the competition with the Holy Roman Empire, Matthias sent Jan Giskra, the commander of his Black Army, to capture Vlad and take him to prison. However, the Wallachian leader was a very special prisoner in the Visegrád fortress. He was presented to foreign envoys as a bizarre attraction through his reputation as both sadistic tyrant and fearless war hero. Twelve years later, in 1474, the situation changed dramatically. After having crushed his long-time adversary Uzun Hasan…

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Medieval Warfare (Digital) - 1 Issue, MW X1.4

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