Basarab I of Wallachia
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| Basarab I | |
|---|---|
| Voivode of Wallachia | |
 |
|
| Basarab I (fresco in Argeş) | |
| Reign | c. 1310-1352 |
| Predecessor | Thocomerius (Tihomir) |
| Nicolae Alexandru | |
| Royal house | House of Basarab |
| Father | Thocomerius (Tihomir) |
| Died | 1352 |
Basarab I was an early ruler of the principality of Wallachia from perhaps as early as 1310 until 1352. He is sometimes referred to as Întemeietorul ("The Founder"), given his role in the creation of the state, together with his position as common ancestor of rulers in the Basarab dynasty.
His name is probably of Cuman origin, meaning "Father King", being derived from basar meaning "to rule" and aba meaning "father". In late 19th century, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu proposed the idea that his name is autochthonous, from ban meaning "ruler", and the Dacian word saraba meaning "head" (still present in some Romanian regions as sarâmb); however, this etymology is disregarded by most historians. The Viennese Illuminated Chronicle clearly describes Basarab as being Romanian (Vlach).
Basarab's alleged father, Thocomerius, was probably the first voivode to rule the whole of Wallachia. Basarab became a vassal of the Kingdom of Hungary, but between 1324-1325, he turned against the Hungarian king. In a Hungarian document issued by Charles I of Hungary (dated 26 July 1324) he is referred to as "our Transalpine voivode"[1] and almost a year later, in a diploma of 18 June 1325, he is referred as "Transalpine Bazarab, unfaithful to the king's holy crown".[2]
In 1330 he defeated his Hungarian overlord Charles I of Hungary at the Battle of Posada, thus gaining the independence of Wallachia. One of the most important records of this battle is the Viennese Illuminated Chronicle.
Basarab I was succeeded by his son, Nicolae Alexandru in 1352.
 Posada Battle in Viennese Illuminated Chronicle |
 Posada Battle in Viennese Illuminated Chronicle |
 Charles I fleeing Posada |
| Preceded by Thocomerius |
Prince of Wallachia c.1310-1352 |
Succeeded by Nicolae Alexandru |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Woiuodam nostrum Transalpinus, Vasary, p. 150
- ^ Bazarab Transalpinum sancte regie corone infidelem, Vasary, p. 150
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Basarab I |
- Neagu Djuvara, Iarăşi despre Negru Vodă şi "Descălecătoare", Magazin Istoric, 8/2000
- Vasary, Istvan, Cumans and Tatars, Cambridge University Press, 2005
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