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Accession of Stephen the Great to Moldavia
In 1457, the Moldavian noble Stephen III, after defeating his uncle Peter Aaron, formally secured his rule as voivode, beginning a reign of forty-sev…
Timeline
- 1456–1457Moldavia · MoldaviaStephen III briefly ruled in 1456 but was soon driven out by his uncle Peter Aaron. In exile Stephen received partial support from Hungary and Poland, gathered an army, and returned to Moldavia, engaging in civil war against Peter Aaron and his Ottoman allies.
- 1457Dolhești · MoldaviaStephen III defeated Peter Aaron's forces at the Battle of Dolhești, and Peter Aaron fled to Poland. This battle laid the foundation of Stephen's rule, and the Moldavian nobility gradually came to recognize his authority.
- 1457Suceava · MoldaviaStephen III formally acceded as voivode of Moldavia at Suceava, set about consolidating internal power and eliminating opposing nobles, and began constructing a system of defensive fortresses to meet the dual threat from the Ottomans and Poland. His long reign would profoundly shape Moldavian political and cultural identity.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Stephen the Great https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-the-Great
- Papacostea, Șerban. Stephen the Great and the Formation of the Moldavian State — Șerban Papacostea (1991)