The "Order of the Dragon" was a chivalric order founded in 1408 by Sigismund of Luxembourg, the King of Hungary and later the Holy Roman Emperor. Its primary purpose was to defend Christianity and combat the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe. Members of the order were often nobles and knights who pledged to uphold these ideals. The emblem of the order featured a dragon, symbolizing strength and vigilance. Notable members included Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracula, who was inducted into the order in 1431. The order played a significant role in the political and military landscape of Eastern Europe during its time.