The 15th century prince who inspired the literary vampire Dracula may have had medical issues that caused him to cry tears of blood, according to researchers unearthing this ancient mystery.
Grave containing 450 'VAMPIRES' is discovered during roadworks in Poland
The grim discovery in the village of Luzino in the northeast of the country found that some of the 450 skeletons had been beheaded and their skulls placed between their legs and a coin placed in their mouths.
The practice which was common in the region during the 19th century was believed to remove the ‘vampire curse’.
Cinema's obsession with Dracula
Since its publication in 1897, Dracula has been adapted on screen hundreds of times. Bram Stoker's novel, which tells the story of the villainous blood-sucking Count's journey to Victoria Britain, has an enduring appeal that shows no sign of waning.
The latest Dracula film, Renfield, which stars Nicolas Cage as the vampire, comes more than 100 years after the first, albeit unofficial, depiction of the Count on screen.
Cutting his teeth: how Bram Stoker found his inner Dracula in Scotland
Author’s method acting approach to writing terrified local people in Aberdeenshire as he perched on the rocks like a bat.
In August 1894, at the end of a month-long stay to research his embryonic novel, Bram Stoker wrote in the visitors’ book at the Kilmarnock Arms on the Aberdeenshire coast that he had been “delighted with everything and everybody” and hoped to return soon.
According to new research, though, the feeling was not entirely mutual. Stoker, a genial Irishman usually known for his cheeriness, was experimenting with what would become known as “method acting” to get under the skin of his new character, one Count Dracula. Local historian Mike Shepherd, who has spent seven years researching Stoker, says the author’s links with the London theatre inspired Stoker to try inhabiting his character in a different way.
Remains of Polish vampire found
Remains of a female 'VAMPIRE' pinned to the ground with a sickle across her throat to prevent her returning from the dead are found in Poland
- The remains were found during archaeological work at a 17th century cemetery in the village of Pien, Poland
- Professor Dariusz Poliński said sickle was placed over the neck to 'protect against the return of the dead'
- In addition to the sickle, the skeleton was found with a padlocked toe as another precautionary measure
- Researchers also found a silk cap on its head, indicating she had held a high social status
- Poliński said other measures used at the time would have involved cutting off the head and legs
Alnwick Castle vampire
Some 800 years before the publication of Dracula, and long before the term "vampire" was popularized, an English historian, William of Newburgh, recorded a tale recounted to him by a devout and reputable priest. He told of a most dishonest sinner who escaped the law by retreating to Alnwick Castle.
Witten Bloodsuckers: Daniel and Manuela Ruda
Due to early associations of blood-drinking with revenant spirits or demons, there has emerged a modern-day confluence of Satanism and vampirism, though the two are more often than not exclusive to one another (i.e., real vampires are not necessarily Satanists, nor are Satanists vampires).
Video submission: Vampires Make it Into Academia
A group of academics met at the University of Hertfordshire in England to discuss the "Americanization" of the vampire genre. WSJ's Javier Espinoza reports.
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