Members were required to defend the cross and fight the enemies of Christianity. The Order gave his father the nickname, 'Dragon', which, when translated into medieval Romanian is the name 'Dracul'.

As member of the order, his father reigned as prince over a conflicted area called Wallachia, which rested right between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. This area saw lots of war, and was often ruled by both sides at different times. Dracul in a struggle for his own grip on power, gave his loyalty to each.

But the Ottomans weren’t sure if they could trust him, so they imprisoned his two sons, the young Vlad and his brother Radu. The boys were held hostage to ensure their father, would remain loyal.

Taken from his family and homeland angered the young Vlad. And during this time is when it’s believed he developed an intense hatred for the Ottomans, upon whom he would later earn his gruesome reputation.

Eğrigöz Fortress