Basarab Țepeluș cel Tânăr

Basarab IV cel Tânăr ("the Young"), also known as Țepeluș ("the little Impaler"), son of Basarab II, was a Ruler of the principality of Wallachia, between the years 1477–1481, and again from 1481 to 1482. Curiously, and symbolically of the unstable political climate of medieval Wallachia, despite the fact that he was removed from his position in 1481, and replaced the same year, two other men were granted the title Voivode or Prince of Wallachia between his two reigns.

Reign

Basarab IV succeeded to the Wallachian throne in 1477, when his uncle Basarab III known as the 'Old' was overthrown. In 1479 Basarab IV was forced by Ali Kodsha^[1] to side with Ottomans and take part in the Ottoman campaign against Transylvania, providing some 5,000 Wallachian troops^[2] to the campaign, where he faced his arch-rival uncle Basarab who had been living in Transylvania since his overthrow in 1477. Basarab IV brought approx.: 2,000 infantry to the campaign, and with help from Hungarians defeated the combined forces of Wallachia and the Ottomans at the Battle of Breadfield.^[3]

In 1481, the same year Mehmed II died^[4] and conflict between his two serviving sons, Bayezid II and Cem eruputed into open conflict Vlad IV, the pious half-brother of Vlad III and Radu III, who until now had shown little interest the throne for himself before now^[5] was placed on the throne by Ştefan III.,^[6][7][8] who had invaded Wallachia that June ^[9] and routed Basarab IV at Râmnicu Vâlcea. The 15th century was a very volatile time in Wallachia, with the throne passing first from one then to another of the many Princes and family members of both Branches of the House of Basarab that desired it, and soon enough Basarab IV was again Voivode of Wallachia, with Ottoman support. Ştefan made a last attempt to secure his influence in Wallachia.^[7] and within the year Basarab lost the throne again. Although Vlad IV was restored, he was soon forced to accept the Sultan's suzerainty.^[7]

Death

Basarab IV was killed during the clashes in the spring of 1482, perhaps due to a conspiracy led by the boyars of Wallachia. Others however suggest he died in battle by Ştefan III during Ştefan III's invasion that year.^[7]

References