I can never remember if it was Vlad or one of the other sadistic bastards like Ivan that ordered noble families that were suspected of treason to have a feast at the castle.
The people told their children that they most likely would not be coming home.
So as they were eating they were waiting for the orders for them to be taken out and executed. Finally the meal was over and they were asked by their host how they liked the food, and they of course said they enjoyed it.
They were then informed that the meat was their children.
This sounds like a similar story about how Amir Abdur Rahman the so called Iron Amir of Afghanistan dealt with some rebellious tribesmen. One wonders if either happened but the effect of putting such stories about in a preliterate society would certainly be smart pysch ops.