One of three (along with Moldavia and Transylvania) primary historic and geographic regions of Romania, Wallachia was founded as a principality in the early 14th century by Basarab I but, by 1417, had accepted the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire, albeit with considerable self-rule.

Although no specific historical documentation of his birth remains, the son of Vlad the Younger was about four years old at the time of his father's death.

In his two years as voivode, Vlad is noted as having effected the construction of Dâmbovița County's famed Viforâta Monastery, in Aninoasa.

His life was cut short at about the same age as that of his father, 24, and the historical detail behind his posthumous cognomen is described in the contemporary text of Adolf Armbruster (Dacoromano-Saxonica, p. 198).

The account indicates that, following a prolonged banquet, at which, as customary, large quantities of alcoholic beverages were served, Vlad mounted his horse for a ride in the direction of Dâmbovița River in which, near the village of Popești, south of Bucharest, he drowned.