Moldavian–Ottoman Wars

Moldavian–Ottoman Wars Date 1473-1479 and 1484-1486 Location Wallachia, Moldova and Transylvania, present-day Romania Result Moldavia becomes an Ottoman vassal for almost four centuries. Belligerents Moldavia Wallachia Transylvania Ottoman Empire Commanders and leaders Voivode of Moldavia most notably Alexander the good, Bogdan II, Stefan the Great, and John III the Terrible as well as Michael the Brave Voivode of Wallachia most notably Mircea the Elder, Vlad the Impaler and Michael the Brave Ottoman Sultan, Hadım Suleiman Pasha Strength Varied greatly during the centuries ~20,000 active men[1] - 60,000[2] Varied greatly during the centuries Capable of raising more than 100,000 men Casualties and losses Unknown Unknown

The first conflict between Moldavia and the Ottoman Empire for which there is a historical account occurred during the reign of Alexandru cel Bun, in 1420, when the Ottomans tried to capture Chilia. The attack was unsuccessful.

In 1439, King Sigismund of Hungary argued with King Wladislaw of Poland about dividing Moldavia between their two countries. Sigismund complained that the Moldavians refused to aid him in his expeditions against the Turks, but King Wladyslaw argued that the Moldavians couldn't aid Sigismund with troops because they aided him, instead, and Sigismund had to give up on his claims.^[3]

In 1444, Moldavia sent troops that joined King Władysław III of Varna at the Battle of Varna. The Turks had camels with them and in case of defeat, they would spill gold and silver coins on the ground in order to slacken the enemy. The Moldavians went after the camels for the money.^[4]

Between 1451 and 1457, Moldavia was in civil turmoil and under Petru Aron, the principality paid the Porte an annual tribute of 2,000 gold coins. In 1470, during the rule of Stephen the Great, the relationship between Moldavia and the Porte became hostile, and resulted in several confrontations, most notable being the Battle of Vaslui, where the Ottomans were heavily defeated, and the Battle of Valea Albă, where Mehmed II was victorious, but was forced to retreat. In 1484, the Ottomans managed to annex Chilia and Akkerman. After 1504, Moldavia fell into decline and was forced to accept vassalage for the Porte, but conflicts continued to rage until the 19th century, giving the country brief periods of independence.

Footnotes

1. Grant, R.G. (2005). Battle a Visual Journey Through 5000 Years of Combat. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 122. The Hungarians, |with Vlad the Impaler had some 30,000 men whilst at Mohacs there was roughly 20,000 men
2. The Royal army for Mohacs had an initial strength of 60,000 before disease and desertion decimated it
3. The Annals of Jan Długosz, p. 449
4. The Annals of Jan Długosz, p. 496

References

• Długosz, Jan. "The Annals of Jan Długosz" ISBN 1-901019-00-4