Michael the Brave (Romanian: Mihai Viteazu(l) pronounced [miˈhaj viˈte̯azu(l)] or Mihai Bravu

pronounced [miˈhaj ˈbravu], Hungarian: Vitéz Mihály; 1558 – 9 August 1601) was the Prince of Wallachia
(as Michael II, 1593–1601), Prince of Moldavia (1600) and de facto ruler of Transylvania (1599–1600). He
is considered one of Romania’s greatest national heroes.[2] Since the 19th-century Michael was seen by
nationalists as a symbol of Romanian unity[3], as under his reign was the first time all principalities
inhabited by Romanians were under the same ruler.[4]

Michael the Brave

Prince of Wallachia

Prince of Moldavia

MihaiViteazul.jpg

Portrait by Aegidius Sadeler II (Prague, 1601)

Prince of Wallachia

Reign

September 1593 – September 1601

Predecessor

Alexandru cel Rău

Successor

Radu Mihnea

Prince of Moldavia

Reign

May – September 1600

Predecessor

Ieremia Movilă

Successor

Ieremia Movilă

Born

Mihai Pătrașcu

15 January 1558

Târgul de Floci (near Giurgeni, Ialomița County)[1]

Died
 9 August 1601 (aged 42–43)

Turda

Burial

12 August 1601

Alba Iulia or Bogata, Cluj County (body)[citation needed]

Dealu Monastery, Dâmbovița County (head)

Spouse

Doamna Stanca

Issue

Nicolae Pătrașcu

Domnița Florica

House

Drăculești

Father

Pătrașcu cel Bun

Mother

Teodora Cantacuzino

Religion

Orthodox Christian

Signature

Michael the Brave’s signature

His rule over Wallachia began in the autumn of 1593. Two years later, war with the Ottomans began, a
conflict in which the Prince fought the Battle of Călugăreni, considered one of the most important
battles of his reign. Although the Wallachians emerged victorious from the battle, Michael was forced to
retreat with his troops and wait for aid from his allies, Prince Sigismund Báthory of Transylvania and
Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. The war continued until a peace finally emerged in January 1597, but this
lasted for only a year and a half. Peace was again reached in late 1599, when Michael was unable to
continue the war due to lack of support from his allies.
In 1599, Michael won the Battle of Șelimbăr and soon entered Alba Iulia, becoming the imperial
governor (i.e. de facto ruler) of Transylvania. A few months later, Michael’s troops invaded Moldavia and
reached its capital, Iaşi. The Moldavian leader Ieremia Movilă fled to Poland and Michael was declared
Prince of Moldavia. Michael kept the control of all three provinces for less than a year before the nobles
of Transylvania and certain boyars in Moldavia and Wallachia rose against him in a series of revolts.
Thereafter, Michael allied with the Imperial General Giorgio Basta and defeated an uprising of the
Hungarian nobility at Gurăslău in Transylvania. Immediately after this victory, Rudolf ordered the
assassination of Michael, an action carried out on 9 August 1601 by Basta’s men.

Early life

Wallachia

Transylvania

Moldavia

Last victory and the assassination

Legacy

Seal

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links

Last edited 12 days ago by an anonymous user

Related articles

Battle of Șelimbăr

Battle

Ieremia Movilă

Prince of Moldavia

Battle of Guruslău

Battle during Long Turkish War

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