Final years of Matei Basarab of Wallachia and the change of power

Timeline

1. 1650–1652Târgoviște · WallachiaIn the final years of his reign, Matei Basarab continued his strong support of the Orthodox Church, funding the construction and repair of several monasteries and introducing a printing press, laying the foundation for the development of written Romanian culture. Militarily, he maintained an elite force centered on Cossack mercenaries, while rivalry with Moldavia intensified as its prince Vasile Lupu sought to expand his influence.
2. 1653Cozia (battle site) · WallachiaIn 1653 Moldavian prince Vasile Lupu, allied with Cossack forces, invaded Wallachia in an attempt to secure political advantages there for his son-in-law Timuș Hmelnițki (son of the Cossack leader). Matei repelled the invasion near Cozia; Vasile Lupu was forced to retreat to Moldavia and was himself deposed later in 1653. The battle further consolidated Matei's prestige, but the prolonged war also drained the principality's finances.
3. 1654Finta · WallachiaIn April 1654, Constantin Șerban led an army to challenge Matei's rule. At the Battle of Finta, Matei's Cossack mercenaries defected mid-battle, reversing the tide and leaving Matei gravely wounded. He died of his wounds shortly after, ending a reign of 22 years. Matei died without an heir, and Constantin Șerban immediately succeeded him, but his position was weak; the political turmoil of the following years profoundly affected Wallachia's relations with the Ottomans.
4. 1655–1659Târgoviște · WallachiaConstantin Șerban's reign (1654–1658) was unstable, facing repeated challenges from boyar nobles and external powers. In 1658 he was deposed for supporting Rákóczi II's anti-Ottoman movement, and the Ottomans replaced him with Mihnea III (Mihail Cantacuzino). The frequent changes of rulers in Wallachia during this period show that Ottoman control over the Danubian Principalities tightened, further narrowing the room for maneuver of the local nobility.