Vampires Throughout History

Jure Grando

The legend of Jure Grando. He was the first European vampire ever mentioned. He died in 1656 but has been said to rise from his grave and terrorize the village at night. This continued for 16 years. Till one fateful night the mayor of the village and several other men went to his grave and attempted to first pierce his heart with a wooden stake. They determined that wasn’t enough and the priest cut his head clean off while reciting exorcism prayers. After that no one ever claimed he returned to the village.

Vlad Dracul

Vlad Dracul also known as Vlad the Impaler was also said to be a vampire. He was described as a brutally cruel leader. The nickname Vlad the Impaler came to be because it is said his favorite way to kill his enemies was by impaling them with wooden stakes. It is also said he enjoyed dining with his dying victims and would often drink their blood or dip his food in their blood before eating it. Many believe he inspired Count Dracula.

The vampire legend of Mercy Brown

Similar to the Salem Witch Trials there was a time when vampirism was considered a disease brought on by evil. Townspeople would often check dead bodies to ensure there were no signs of vampirism. Brown and many of her family members all died around the same time. This made the town want to investigate them for signs of vampirism. When they opened Brown's grave she was very well preserved so they came to the conclusion she was the vampire cursing her family. She died in winter and was buried in an above ground vault aiding in her preservation. Townspeople cut her head off and took her heart and burned them both to ensure that her vampirism would end.