This is a list of princes of Wallachia, also known as the Voivodes of Wallachia from the first mentions of Vlach rulers situated in the Wallachian Plain in the mid-13th century until the union with Moldavia in 1859, which led to the establishment of Romania.
Determining succession Princes could be selected from various branches of a ruling family, and in some cases even from among a ruler's illegitimate sons. Such candidates were described as os de domn ("of voivode stock") or as possessing heregie ("heredity", from the Latin hereditas). The right to elect the ruler formally rested with assemblies dominated by the boyars, whose influence varied over time. This system was often contested by usurpers and was eventually replaced during the Phanariote era, when the Ottoman sultans directly appointed rulers. Between the Wallachian uprising in 1821 and Romania's independence in 1878, succession involved a mixture of election and appointment.
The rulers of Wallachia, like those of Moldavia, commonly bore the titles of Voivode ("duke") and/or Hospodar ("lord, master"). In Romanian usage, the term Domn (from Latin dominus) was most frequently employed.
List of Wallachian princes Prior to 14th-century Bezerenbam and Mișelav Seneslau John (knez) Farcaș Litovoi Bărbat Thocomerius
House of Basarab From the early 15th century the family was divided in two main branches:
Ruler Portrait Years Marriage Notes Radu Negru – 1310Unknown Radu Negru is the legendary founder of Wallachia; some historians consider him to be just a nickname of Thocomerius or Basarab I.Basarab I the Founder(Basarab I Întemeietorul) – 1352 Margaretatwo childrenSon of Thocomerius; first non-legendary ruler of Wallachia.Nicolae Alexandru 1352 – 16 November 1364 Maria Lackfyfive childrenClara Dobokaitwo childrenMargareta Dabkaino children Son of Basarab I; he was already co-ruling with his father since 1344.Vladislav IVlaicu-Vodă 16 November 1364–1377 unknownson of Nicolae AlexandruRadu I 1377–1383Annaone childKalinikiac.1354 or 1355two childrenSon of Nicolae Alexandru.Dan I 1383–1386Maria of Serbiaone childSon of Radu I. After his death, his descendants formed the Danesti family.Mircea I the Elder(Mircea I cel Bătrân) 23 September 1386 – May 1395January 1397 – 31 January 1418 Maria Tolmaysix childrenAncano childrenSon of Radu I. Wallachia reached one of its peaks. He was deposed by a usurper, Vlad, in 1395, but was restored in 1397.Vlad I the Usurper(Vlad I Uzurpatorul) May 1395 – January 1397UnknownSecond son of Dan I, usurped the throne.Mihail I 31 January 1418 – August 1420unknowntwo children Son of Mircea I, co-ruled with his father since 1415.Radu II the Bald(Radu II Praznaglava) August 1420 – October 1422Constantin Rezachevici – "Critical chronology of the lords of Wallachia and Moldova a. 1324 – 1881", Volume I, Enciclopedic Publishing House, 2001, p. 86December 1426 – March/June 1427unknown War of succession in Wallachia, which opposed Radu II, brother of Mihail I, to the Danesti pretender Dan II (son of Dan I and member of the Order of the Dragon), where both had brief periods of power in succession.Dan II the Brave(Dan II cel Viteaz) October 1422 – December 1426March/June 1427 – 1 June 1431 unknownfive childrenAlexandru I Aldea 1 June 1431 – December 1436 unknownSon of Mircea I, ousted Dan II of the throne.Vlad II the Dragon(Vlad II Dracul) December 1436–14421443 – 7 December 1447 Unknownone childCneajna of Moldaviathree children Illegitimate son of Mircea cel Bătrân; member of the Order of the Dragon (thus Dracul); While in negotiations outside Wallachia with the Ottoman Empire, his son Mircea was named prince. He returned to the throne in 1443, winning against John Hunyadi, and deposing also Basarab II. He was assassinated in 1447. His descendants, from his sobriquet, founded the Draculesti family.Mircea II the Younger(Mircea al II-lea cel Tânăr) September – December 1442 UnmarriedSon of Vlad II Dracul, sometimes not counted; he ruled while his father was absent, on his way to pay the tribute to the Ottoman Empire; Deposed by John Hunyadi. Returned in 1446, co-ruling with his father. He was blinded and buried alive by Hunyadi in 1447.Basarab II 1442–1443 Maria (Dobra) two children Son of Dan II; Placed in the throne by John Hunyadi, in war with Vlad II.Vladislav II 7 December 1447 – 20 August 1456 Neacşaone child Son of Dan II; supported by John Hunyadi, Regent of Hungary; The way he came to the throne is debatable, but the most accepted is that he killed Vlad II, and was then replaced in the throne by Hunyadi. Returned in 1448, after deposing Vlad the Impaler, and ruled again until his death in a combat hand-to-hand against Vlad III, who retook the throneVlad III the Impaler(Vlad Țepeș) 20 August 1456 – July 1462June 1476 – January 1477 Unknownone childJustina SzilágyiBetween 1475 and 1476no childrenSon of Vlad II Dracul, invaded briefly Wallachia in 1448 (October–November) while Vladislav II was away. His real rulership would begin after killing Vladislav II in battle. Vlad III was at war against the Ottomans.Radu III the Fair(Radu cel Frumos) August 1462 – November 147323 December 1473 – March 1474March – bet. June/September 1474October 1474 – January 1475 Maria Despina one child – Maria Voichița Son of Vlad II Dracul; from 1473 in war with Basarab III.Basarab III Laiotă the Old(Basarab Laiotă cel Bătrân) November – 23 December 1473March 1474bet.June/September – October 1474January1475 - June1476January–December 1477 Unmarried Son of Dan II; In war against Radu III.Basarab IV The Young Impaler(Basarab IV Țepeluș cel Tânăr) December 1477 – September 1481November 1481 – 23 March 1482 Mariaone child Son of Basarab II. His first reign was briefly contested by: Mircea (II), an illegitimate son of Vlad II Dracul, supported by Stephen III of Moldavia from July to November 1480.Vlad IV the Monk (Vlad Călugărul) September – November 148123 March 1482 – November 1495 Rada SmarandaBefore 1460four childrenMaria Palaiologina1487one child Son of Vlad II.Radu IV the Great (Radu cel Mare) November 1495 – 23 April 1508 Catherine of Zeta1494four children Son of Vlad IV.Mihnea I the Bad(Mihnea cel Rău) 23 April 1508 – 29 October 1509 Smarandano childrenVoicathree childrenSon of Vlad III. Abdicated to his son. Died 1510.Mircea III the Dragon(Mircea III Dracul) 29 October 1509 – 26 January 1510 Maria of Serbia1519two children Son of Mihnea I.Vlad V the Younger(Vlad cel Tânăr) 8 April 1510 – 23 January 1512 Anca of ZetaBefore 1508one child Son of Vlad IV; also known as VlăduțNeagoe Basarab 23 January 1512 – 15 September 1521 Milica of Serbia1505six children Possibly son of Pârvu Craiovescu (Craiovești family) or Basarab IV; The most accepted theory is that he claimed the throne as a son of Basarab IV, being in fact son of Pârvu. It's possible that the matter arose from the fact that Neagoe's mother was a mistress of Basarab IV. Cultural zenith in Wallachia. Regency of Milica of Serbia (15 September – December 1521) Under regency of his mother. His rule was briefly challenged by: (Vlad) Dragomir the Monk, possible son of Vlad the Younger who contested the throne in September-October of 1521.
Teodosie was defeated in 1521, fled with his mother, and died in exile the following year.Teodosie 15 September – December 1521UnmarriedRadu V of Afumati(Radu de la Afumati) December 1521 – April 152319 January – June 1524September 1524 – April 1525August 1525 – 2 April 1529 Voica of Bucsanithree childrenRuxandra of WallachiaAfter 1525no childrenSon of Radu IV; allied with the Craiovești.Vladislav III April – 8 November 1523June – September 152419 April – August 1525Unknown Nephew of Vladislav II.Radu VI Bădica November 1523 – 19 January 1524 Unknown Illegitimate son of Radu IV.Basarab VI 6 January – 5 February 1529 Unknown Non-dynastic; Son of Mehmed-bey.Moise January 1529 – June 1530 Unknown Son of Vladislav III. Last of the Dănești. Deposed, died 29 August of that same year.Vlad VI the Drowned(Vlad Înecatul) June 1530 – September 1532 Anna of Moldavia1531no children Son of Vlad V.Vlad VII Vintilă de la Slatina September 1532 – 10 June 1535Zamfiraone childRadaone child Illegitimate son of Radu IV.Radu VII Paisie 10 June 1535–1545 Stanathree childrenRuxandra of Wallachiac.1541three children Son of Radu IV. Had to face some very brief boyar usurpations or mere attacks to his sovereignty: Barbu Craiovescu III (1535) Șerban din Izvorani (2 June – 15 July 1539) Laiotă Basarab (27 April – 2 June 1544)Mircea IV the Shepherd(Mircea Ciobanul) January 1545 – 16 November 155211 May 1553 – 28 February 155424 December 1557 – 25 September 1559 Chiajna of MoldaviaJune 1546seven children Son of Radu IV.Radu VIII Ilie the Cowherd(Radu Ilie Haidăul) 16 November 1552 – 11 May 1553 Unknown Son of Radu V. Deposed; died 1558.Pătrașcu the Good(Pătrașcu cel Bun) 28 February 1554 – 24 December 1557 Voica of Slatioarefour children Son of Radu VII. Regency of Chiajna of Moldavia (25 September 1559–1564) Son of Mircea IV. Deposed and died in exile in the following year.Petru I the Younger(Petru cel Tânăr) 25 September 1559 – 8 June 1568 Jelena Crepovic of Transylvania22 August 1563one childAlexandru II Mircea 8 June 1568 – 11 September 1577 Catherine Salvaresso1558Peraone child Son of Mircea III Dracul; popularly called Oaie Seacă (Barren Sheep). His rule was briefly challenged by: Vintilă, a son of Pătrașcu, usurped/contested the throne between March and June of 1574. Regency of Catherine Salvaresso (11 September 1577 – July 1583) Initially under regency of his mother, both were deposed by the usurper Petru Cercel. Mihnea paid for the assassination of his usurper, returned and ruled alone. In 1591, he was deposed and died in exile in Constantinople, in 1601.Mihnea II the Turk(Mihnea Turcitul; Mehmet Bey) 11 September 1577 – July 15836 April 1585 – 19 May 1591Neaga de CislauJune 1582three childrenPetru II of the Earring(Petru Cercel) July 1583 – 6 April 1585UnmarriedSon of Pătrașcu; deposed Mihnea II, but ended up assassinated by his order.
House of Basarab, with interventions of Bogdan-Muşat and Movilești dynasties
Ruler Portrait Years Family NotesȘtefan I Surdul(Stephen the Deaf) 1591–1592 Bogdan-Muşat Alexandru III cel Rău(Alexander III the Bad) 1592–1593 Bogdan-Muşat also ruled Moldavia (1592)Mihail II Viteazul(Michael II the Brave) 1593–1600 Drăculești according to some, the illegitimate son of Petru Pătrașcu cel Bun; also ruled Transylvania (1599–1600) and Moldavia (1600), briefly bringing the three principalities under a personal union. Recognized the suzerainty of Prince Sigismund Báthory of Transylvania between 1595-1598, who then used the title Princeps Transylvanie, Valachiae Transalpinae et Moldaviae (Prince of Transylvania, Wallachia, and Moldova).Nicolae Pătrașcu 1599–1600 Drăculești Son of Michael II, co-ruled with his father since 1599.Simion Movilă 1600–16011602 Movilești Radu IX Mihnea 1601–160216111611–16161620–1623 Drăculești son of Minhea II TurcitulRadu X Șerban 1602–16101611 Basarab Nephew of Neagoe Basarab. 1st rule Transylvanian occupation: direct rule of Gabriel Báthory (1611)Gabriel Movilă 16161618–1620 Movilești son of Simion MovilăAlexandru IV Iliaș 1616–16181627–1629 Bogdan-Mușat Alexandru V Coconul(Alexander the Child-Prince) 1623–1627 Drăculești son of Radu MihneaLeon Tomșa 1629–1632 Bogdan-Mușat Radu XI Iliaș 1632 Bogdan-Mușat Matei Basarab 1632–1654 Brâncovenești Constantin I Șerban 1654–1658 Basarab illegitimate son of Radu ȘerbanMihnea III 1658–1659
Pre-Phanariote period
The Ottoman influence in the Wallachian rulers' election grows from the mid-17th century onward. From 1659, the rulers elected are mostly scions of Greek families, and increasingly less linked to the original Wallachian ruling family. The process reached its peak with the called Phanariote period (1715–1821), where, between the rulers, there was already no connection (or a very distant one) with the dynasty of Basarab.