There have been several ruthless characters through history, but perhaps, none of them compares to the fearsome Vlad Tepes, best known for his moniker, the Impaler. The Romanian ruler not only inspired one of the most popular vampires in history, Dracula, but he also left a controversial legacy for both his heroic deeds and his cruel acts.
However, there was another interesting character in Vlad’s history, one that had a wretched rivalry with him, his younger brother Radu, best known by history as ‘the Handsome.’ Radu wasn’t only a very attractive man, he was also a good strategist and someone who managed to defeat one of the most ruthless characters in history. Beyond that, his story is quite interesting as historians believe he was also a queer prince.
Radu III’s Early Life in Ottoman Captivity
Radu III, also known as Radu cel Frumos in Romanian and Radu Bey in Turkish, was the prince of Wallachia (today’s southern Romania) from 1462 to 1475. Radu III was known for his good looks, which earned him the moniker “the Handsome,” and his close relationship with the Ottoman Empire.
Radu III was born in 1438 or 1439 to Vlad II Dracul, also known as Vlad Dracul, and his wife, Cneajna of Moldavia. Radu was captured as a hostage by Sultan Murad II when he was around four years old. He was held hostage to ensure his father’s loyalty, but he was also free to study logic, the Quran, and multiple languages.
After six years, Vlad II was killed, and Vlad III and Radu’s eldest brother were tortured and killed. Radu was released by the sultan and did not accompany his brother when he plotted his revenge. It’s believed that it was during his time as the Ottoman’s prisoner, that Vlad experienced the horrible tortures and even witnessed impalements, both acts he would become famous for.
While Vlad was planning their escape and how to recover his territory, Radu reportedly developed a close friendship with Mehmed II, the future sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and a character that would become key in his feud with his brother.
Relationship with Mehmed II and the Fall of Constantinople
Radu III finally returned to Wallachia in 1456 and briefly ruled as a prince while his brother, Vlad III, was engaged in a conflict with Hungary. In 1462, Radu III became prince of Wallachia in his own right. He established a strong relationship with the Ottoman Empire and agreed to pay tribute to the Sultan. This alliance helped Radu III to maintain his grip on power and resist Hungarian attempts to interfere in Wallachian affairs.
Radu and Mehmed II, who became sultan in 1451, first crossed within the walls of the Ottoman court, where Radu, having embraced Islam, found favor and acceptance. It was there, amidst the grandeur and intrigue of the Sultan’s domain, that Radu and Mehmed II, the heir apparent, forged a connection that transcended mere friendship.
The two men reportedly exchanged gifts and letters. Legend has it that during a private encounter in Radu’s chambers, Mehmed II allegedly made an unwelcome advance. Radu, caught off guard, resisted the Sultan’s overtures. When Mehmed II persisted, Radu instinctively grabbed a nearby knife and, in a moment of panic, inflicted a wound on the Sultan’s leg. Despite this tumultuous beginning, their relationship is said to have evolved into a romantic one not long after.
Radu III even participated in Mehmed II’s campaigns against the Byzantine Empire. In 1453, Radu III fought alongside Mehmed II in the siege of Constantinople, which resulted in the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the end of the Middle Ages.
Radu’s Feud with Vlad
Radu III’s alliance with the Ottomans and his close relationship with Mehmed II put him at odds with his brother, Vlad III, who was determined to maintain Wallachia’s independence from both Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Upon Vlad III’s departure from the Ottoman Empire in pursuit of vengeance for his father’s demise, Mehmed II harbored initial optimism. Anticipating Vlad III’s continued allegiance to the empire and the resumption of tribute payments, Mehmed II viewed this development favorably.
In 1462, Vlad III launched an offensive into Ottoman territory, resulting in the deaths of countless Turks and Muslim Bulgarians. Upon receiving news of this incursion, Mehmed II was enraged. He assembled a formidable army of 150,000 men and set sail for Wallachia, accompanied by Radu the Handsome. Mehmed II sought to replace Vlad III with his purported lover as the ruler of Wallachia. The two brothers engaged in a series of power struggles, and Radu III was even briefly deposed by Vlad III in 1473.
Sadly, only two years later, Radu III died reportedly from syphilis. Radu the Handsome passed away without reclaiming the throne sometime between 1475 and 1477. His path never again intersected with that of Mehmed II.
He was succeeded by his son, Basarab IV cel Tânăr. Radu III’s legacy is complex and controversial. He is remembered for his good looks, his diplomatic skills, and his role in the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. However, he is also criticized for his alliance with the Ottomans, which many Romanians view as a betrayal of Wallachia’s independence.
Despite his controversial legacy, Radu III remains a fascinating figure in Romanian history. His life and reign offer insights into the complex political dynamics of the region during the 15th century.