Whitby Abbey and Dracula have a fascinating relationship that spans over a century. Here is some extensive information on how the abbey inspired Bram Stoker to write his famous novel, and how the novel influenced the abbey and the town of Whitby.
Bram Stoker’s visit to Whitby
Bram Stoker, an Irish writer and theatre manager, visited Whitby in July 1890, looking for a quiet place to relax and work on his new story. He stayed at a guesthouse on Royal Crescent, where he had a view of the abbey and the church on the cliff. He was captivated by the Gothic atmosphere of the town, and explored its history, legends, and folklore.
He also visited the public library, where he found a book called An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, which introduced him to the name and deeds of Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century prince of Wallachia who was notorious for his cruelty and bloodthirstiness. Stoker decided to use Vlad’s surname, Dracula, which means son of the dragon or son of the devil, for his main character, who was originally called Count Wampyr.
Dracula’s arrival in Whitby
Stoker incorporated many elements of Whitby into his novel, which was published in 1897. The most dramatic scene is when Dracula arrives in Whitby on a Russian ship called the Demeter, which is carrying 50 boxes of earth from Transylvania. The ship is caught in a storm and runs aground on Tate Hill Sands, near the harbour.
The only survivor is the captain, who is found tied to the wheel with a crucifix in his hand. A large black dog, which is Dracula in disguise, leaps from the ship and runs up the 199 steps to the abbey. He then finds a lair in the ruins, where he hides some of his coffins.
Dracula’s victims in Whitby
Dracula begins to prey on the people of Whitby, starting with a local old man named Swales, whose name Stoker borrowed from a gravestone in the churchyard. He then targets Lucy Westenra, a young woman who is staying with her friend Mina Murray at a house on the Crescent. Lucy sleepwalks at night and wanders to the churchyard, where Dracula bites her and drains her blood.
Mina notices Lucy’s pale and weak condition, and also sees a strange red mark on her neck. Lucy eventually dies and becomes a vampire herself, but is later destroyed by Van Helsing and his companions. Mina is also attacked by Dracula, who forces her to drink his blood and creates a psychic bond between them. This bond allows Mina to track Dracula’s movements, and helps the heroes to pursue him back to Transylvania, where they finally kill him.
Dracula’s legacy in Whitby
Dracula is one of the most influential and popular novels in the history of literature, and has spawned countless adaptations, sequels, and spin-offs. Whitby has also benefited from its association with Dracula, as it attracts many tourists and fans who want to see the places that inspired Stoker. The abbey, the church, the steps, the harbour, and the museum are some of the main attractions for Dracula enthusiasts.
Whitby also hosts various events and festivals related to Dracula, such as the Whitby Goth Weekend, the Bram Stoker Film Festival, and the Dracula Experience. Whitby Abbey itself celebrates its connection to Dracula by projecting images of bats on its walls, and by hosting a world record attempt for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires.