Basarab I of Wallachia

Basarab I, known as Basarab the Founder, was a pivotal figure in the history of Wallachia, serving as its first independent ruler during the early fourteenth century. Born around the year one thousand two hundred seventy-one, his rise to power remains shrouded in mystery, with various theories suggesting he either dethroned or succeeded the legendary Radu Negru between one thousand three hundred four and one thousand three hundred twenty-four, or took the throne in one thousand three hundred ten after his father, Thocomerius.

The first documented reference to Basarab appears in a royal charter dated July twenty-six, one thousand three hundred twenty-four, which acknowledged him as the voivode of Wallachia under the authority of Charles I of Hungary. However, by one thousand three hundred twenty-five, Basarab had declared his disloyalty to the Hungarian crown, leading to significant military actions, including the seizure of the Banate of Severin and raids into southern Hungary.

In a notable alliance, Basarab supported Michael Shishman of Bulgaria in an attack against the Kingdom of Serbia, although their combined forces faced defeat at the Battle of Velbazhd on July twenty-eight, one thousand three hundred thirty. This setback was soon followed by a Hungarian invasion of Wallachia, which culminated in the Battle of Posada between November ninth and twelfth of the same year. The Wallachian forces achieved a decisive victory, nearly annihilating the Hungarian troops and effectively ending their suzerainty over Wallachia.

Basarab's legacy is profound, as his descendants continued to rule Wallachia for at least two centuries. The region of Bessarabia, located between the Dniester and Prut rivers, bears the name of the Basarab dynasty, further cementing his impact on Romanian history.