Dan II of Wallachia
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| Dan II | |
| Died | June 1, 1432 Wallachia |
|---|---|
| Title | Voivode of Wallachia |
| Term | 1420 – 1421; 1421 – 1423; 1423 – 1424; 1426 – 1427; 1427 – 1431 |
| Predecessor | Michael I Radu II Chelul |
| Successor | Radu II Chelul Alexandru I |
| Parents | Dan I Maria of Serbia |
Dan II (? – June 1, 1432) was a voivode (nobleman) of the principality of Wallachia in the 15th Century, ruling an extraordinary five times, and succeeded four times by Radu II Chelul, his rival for the throne. Of those five periods on the throne of Wallachia (1420 – 1421, 1421 – 1423, 1423 – 1424, 1426 – 1427, and 1427 – 1431), four were within a period of only seven years.
Dan II first took the throne in 1420, losing it in 1421, but regaining it that same year. He was primarily able to regain the throne many times due to the fact that he was an able military commander in the field. In 1423, Dan II led an army against the invading Ottoman Turks, defeating them in battle.[citation needed] The Ottomans were invading in an effort to place Radu II back on the throne. In 1425, he again defeated the Ottomans,[citation needed] winning an important victory in a battle that was the first recorded mention of Wallachia using mercenaries in their army. In that battle Dan II had employed a large number of Bulgarian soldiers. In the spring of 1427, Dan II removes Radu II from the throne for the last time, again defeating the Ottomans in battle,[citation needed] taking back the fortress at Giurgiu. In all likelihood, Dan II killed Radu II either during or after that battle, as the latter disappears from historical records afterward. However, written accounts of the time are sparse at best, and it is not known for certain. On June 3rd, 1428, Dan II led an army against the Ottomans at Golubac Fortress, which ended with a treaty that would allow Dan II a semi-peaceful rule until 1432.
In 1432 his country was invaded by a large Ottoman army. Dan was defeated in battle and died as a hero defending his country. He was succeeded byAlexandru I Aldea,a son of Mircea cel batran, who would reign until his death from illness in 1436, and with him being replaced by Vlad II Dracul, father to Vlad Tepes, who would go on to become the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. Dan II's son, Basarab II, would replace Vlad Dracul's son Mircea II in 1443. However, his son lacked the military strength of his father, and would lose the throne within a year to Vlad Dracul.
| Preceded by Mihail I |
Prince of Wallachia 1420–1421 |
Succeeded by Radu II Chelul |
| Preceded by Radu II Chelul |
Prince of Wallachia 1421–1423 |
Succeeded by Radu II Chelul |
| Preceded by Radu II Chelul |
Prince of Wallachia 1423–1424 |
Succeeded by Radu II Chelul |
| Preceded by Radu II Chelul |
Prince of Wallachia 1426–1427 |
Succeeded by Radu II Chelul |
| Preceded by Radu II Chelul |
Prince of Wallachia 1427–1431 |
Succeeded by Alexandru I Aldea |
