 Vlad III the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracula , was a Prince of Wallachia in 1448, 1456–62, and 1476.Vald III is remembered for his raids against the Ottoman Empire and his initial success of keeping his small country free for a short time.In the Western world, Vlad is best known for being the inspiration for the main character in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula".