Stephen II of Moldavia
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Stephen II or Ştefan II (d. 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 II from May 1444 to 1445, and alone until July 1447.
He was the son of Alexandru cel Bun ("Alexander the Good") and an illegitimate wife, Stana. He deposed his brother Iliaş I with the assistance several boyars and of the Wallachian 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.[1]
Iliaş was eventually freed in 1435, and returned at the head of an army, engaging his brother in several battles; the undecisive 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.[2]
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.[3]
| Preceded by Iliaş |
Prince/Voivode of Moldavia 1434-1447 with Iliaş 1435–1443 with Petru II 1444–1445 |
Succeeded by Roman II |
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Ştefan Ştefănescu, Istoria medie a României, Bucharest, Vol. I, 1991
- A. D. Xenopol, Istoria romînilor din Dacia Traiană, Vol. III, cap. 3, Iaşi, 1896
