Vlad Călugărul

Vlad IV Călugărul, (believed born prior to 1425 – September 1495) translated as Vlad the Monk, was the pious half-brother of Vlad III (Vlad the Impaler, or Dracula), and one of many rulers of Wallachia during the 15th century. Vlad the Monk was a contender to his brother's throne as ruler of the principality of Wallachia for many years, but he took no active part in fighting for the throne until near the end of Vlad III's lifetime.

His father Vlad Dracul had previously held the throne, as had his brothers Mircea II and Radu the Handsome, and lastly Vlad III. The 15th century was a very volatile time in Wallachia, with the throne passing first from one then to another of the many princes that desired it. Both of his younger brothers, Vlad III and Radu, had been hostages for a number of years to the Ottoman Sultan, having been offered up to the Ottoman court by their own father, Vlad Dracul, in exchange for the Ottoman's support of Vlad Dracul regaining his throne. His father had first gained the throne following the death of Vlad the Monk's uncle.

Both his brothers Mircea II and Vlad III were able military commanders in the field, and both saw success in battle against the Ottomans. In 1447, his brother Mircea II and his father were both captured and brutally killed. Following this, Vlad III was placed on the throne by the Ottomans, but was forced off shortly thereafter by forces supported by John Hunyadi. This would begin a long quest by Vlad III to gain the throne, which he would do two more times. His longest time on the throne would be from 1456 to 1462, this being his reign of terror for which he would become best known, and which would lead to him being the inspiration for the novel Dracula, by Bram Stoker. His brother Radu gained the throne due only to the fact that he was a favorite in the Ottoman court, losing it several times to Basarab Laiotă cel Bătrân. Radu died in January, 1475, as the result of a long bout with syphilis, at which time Basarab naturally took the throne yet again, only to be forced off shortly thereafter in 1476 by Vlad III. Vlad III was killed in battle during December, 1476, after which Basarab Laiotă cel Bătrân was restored to the throne, only to be pushed off by Basarab Ţepeluş cel Tânăr in November, 1477.

All of this set the stage for Vlad Călugărul to rule. He first took the throne in 1481, losing it shortly afterward to Basarab Ţepeluş cel Tânăr, with Vlad regaining the throne in 1482, after which he would reign until 1495. In 1495, he helped build St. Nicholas Church, in Braşov, Transylvania. There is nothing historically that suggests his death that same year was anything other than natural. His fairly long reign by comparison to those before him was due in part to his having the support of Stephen III of Moldavia. He was succeeded by his son, Radu cel Mare, who would reign until 1508, when he was ousted by his nephew Mihnea cel Rău, son of Vlad III.