Stephen II of Moldavia
Encyclopedia
Stephen II (died 13 July 1447) was a Prince
(Voivode) of Moldavia
. He ruled alone between September 1434 and August 1435, jointly with Iliaş of Moldavia
from August 1435 to May 1443, alone from May 1443 to May 1444, in association with his brother Petru
from May 1444 to 1445, and alone until July 1447.
He was the son of Alexander the Good and a concubine, Stanca. He deposed his brother Iliaş I with the assistance several boyar
s and of the Wallachia
n Prince Vlad II Dracul
. In exchange for Pokuttya
the Poles, to whom Iliaş had pledged his allegiance, also recognised him, and King Władysław III agreed to capture Iliaş and hold him in prison.
Iliaş was eventually freed in 1435, and returned at the head of an army, engaging his brother in several battles; the indecisive one in Podraga or Podagra (the present-day village of Podriga in Drăguşeni
) brought Władysław III's mediation: an agreement was reached for Stephen and Iliaş to share the throne, with Stephen as ruler over the southeastern part of Moldavia, in Tecuci
, Kilia
, Vaslui
, and Covurlui
.
In 1443, Iliaş breached their agreement, and Stephen caught him and gouged out his eyes. Blinded, Iliaş sought refuge in Poland, while Stephen remained prince, taking as his associate an illegitimate brother, Petru II. He was killed in 1447 by the son of Iliaş, Roman II
, who had ensured Polish support during his refuge in Pokuttya.
Rulers of Moldavia
This is a List of rulers of Moldavia, from the first mention of the medieval polity east of the Carpathians and until its disestablishment in 1862, when it united with Wallachia, the other Danubian Principality, to form the modern-day state of Romania.-Notes:...
(Voivode) of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
. He ruled alone between September 1434 and August 1435, jointly with Iliaş of Moldavia
Ilias of Moldavia
Iliaş or Ilie I was Prince of Moldavia twice: in January 1432–October 1433 and with his brother Stephen II in August 1435–May 1443....
from August 1435 to May 1443, alone from May 1443 to May 1444, in association with his brother Petru
Petru II of Moldavia
Petru II of Moldavia was hospodar of Moldavia, son of Alexandru cel Bun. He co-ruled Moldavia with his brother, Stephen II of Moldavia, during 1444-1445, in 1447-1448 with Roman II of Moldavia, and in 1448-1449 alone....
from May 1444 to 1445, and alone until July 1447.
He was the son of Alexander the Good and a concubine, Stanca. He deposed his brother Iliaş I with the assistance several boyar
Boyar
A boyar, or bolyar , was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Moscovian, Kievan Rus'ian, Bulgarian, Wallachian, and Moldavian aristocracies, second only to the ruling princes , from the 10th century through the 17th century....
s and of the Wallachia
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
n Prince Vlad II Dracul
Vlad II Dracul
Vlad II , known as Vlad Dracul , was a voivode of Wallachia. He reigned from 1436 to 1442, and again from 1443 to 1447...
. In exchange for Pokuttya
Pokuttya
Pokuttya or Pokuttia is a historical area of East-Central Europe, between upper Prut and Cheremosh rivers, in modern Ukraine. Historically it was a culturally distinct area inhabitated by Ukrainians and Romanians on the previously unpopulated borderlands between the lands of Lviv and Halych...
the Poles, to whom Iliaş had pledged his allegiance, also recognised him, and King Władysław III agreed to capture Iliaş and hold him in prison.
Iliaş was eventually freed in 1435, and returned at the head of an army, engaging his brother in several battles; the indecisive one in Podraga or Podagra (the present-day village of Podriga in Drăguşeni
Draguseni, Suceava
Drăguşeni is a commune located in Suceava County, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Broşteni, Drăguşeni and Gara Leu....
) brought Władysław III's mediation: an agreement was reached for Stephen and Iliaş to share the throne, with Stephen as ruler over the southeastern part of Moldavia, in Tecuci
Tecuci
Tecuci is a city in the Galaţi county of Romania , situated among wooded hills, on the right bank of the Bârlad River, and at the junction of railways from Galaţi, Bârlad and Mărăşeşti.-History:...
, Kilia
Kilia
Kilia may refer to:* Kilia, a town in Ukraine* Chilia Veche, a town in Tulcea County, Romania* Chilia branch, a distributary of the Danube.* 470 Kilia, an asteroid.* Kilia, an English transliteration of Χηλή, the Greek name for the town of Şile in Turkey...
, Vaslui
Vaslui
Vaslui , a city in eastern Romania, is the seat of Vaslui County, in the historical region of Moldavia.The city administers five villages: Bahnari, Brodoc, Moara Grecilor, Rediu and Viişoara.-History:...
, and Covurlui
Covurlui
The Covurlui Plain is located in Galaţi County, Romania, having an altitude varying between 60 and 200 metres. Its name is derived from the Covurlui River and has a Cuman origin. Before World War II, Covurlui was the name of a county, but it was merged with Tecuci county to form the current Galaţi...
.
In 1443, Iliaş breached their agreement, and Stephen caught him and gouged out his eyes. Blinded, Iliaş sought refuge in Poland, while Stephen remained prince, taking as his associate an illegitimate brother, Petru II. He was killed in 1447 by the son of Iliaş, Roman II
Roman II of Moldavia
Roman II of Moldavia was son of Iliaş of Moldavia and Maria Olszanska from noble Polish family of Olshanski. He was a co-ruler of Moldova in 1447–1448, ruling together with his uncle Petru II of Moldavia after killing his other uncle, Stephen II of Moldavia, with Polish support...
, who had ensured Polish support during his refuge in Pokuttya.