Vlad III travelled to Hungary to ask for help from his former ally, Matthias Corvinus.They were both sons of Vlad II Dracul and his wife, Princess Cneajna of Moldavia.
In addition to Vlad III, Radu also had two older siblings, Mircea II and Vlad Clugrul, both of whom would also briefly rule Wallachia. He was ousted in 1442 by rival factions in league with Hungary, but secured Ottoman support for his return by agreeing to pay tribute to the Sultan and also send his two legitimate sons, Vlad III and Radu, to the Ottoman court, to serve as hostages of his loyalty. Radu eventually became friends with Murad II s son, Mehmed II. While at the Ottoman court as boys, Vlad and Radu were educated in logic, the Quran and the Turkish and Persian language and literature. The boys father, Vlad II Dracul, with the support of the Ottomans, returned to Wallachia and took back his throne from Basarab II. His converting to Islam is disputed given his entering in Ottoman service, and a large number of letters he wrote referring to himself as Christ-loving and right-faithful. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. September 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ). Radus father fled, but Mircea II was captured by boyars from Trgovite and was blinded with a red-hot poker before being buried alive. A short time after their father was captured and killed by the forces of John Hunyadi, Vlad III was released in 1448 and was the Ottoman Turks candidate for the throne of Wallachia, the first of a succession of times he would hold the throne, this first time for only a matter of months. Like his older brother Mircea II, Vlad III was an able military commander and now found himself opposing the Ottomans. After consulting his astrologers, the thirty-year-old sultan resolved to personally lead the punitive expedition. His personal Janissary guard was larger than the entire army of Vlad III. Moreover, it was time for the sultan to show his recognition of his beloved Radu the Handsome, his loyal companion who was now ready to replace his bloodthirsty brother on the throne of Wallachia. During his departure, he practised a scorched earth policy, leaving nothing of importance to be used by the pursuing Ottoman army. This atrocious, gut-wrenching sight was too much even for them to bear therefore they returned to Ottoman forces to regroup. ![]() It was not difficult to convince them; he only had to promise the boyars that he would restore their privileges and assure the defectors from Vlad IIIs camp that they would not be punished. But above and beyond this, he preached of a lasting peace, a gentle reign, and no revenge for any past wrongdoings. Radu sent envoys to the Saxon cities hardest hit by Vlad III, tempting them with old-fashioned advantageous trade regulations and vouching for the sanctity of their families. His good nature attracted instant allies, including inhabitants of Bucharest and Trgovite, who had enough of the cruelty of his brother. Taking advantage of their fortune the Ottomans strengthened their commercial presence in the Danube against any Hungarian influence and intervention in the region.
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