Prince of Wallachia, Prince of Transylvania, Prince of Moldavia
1558 CE
to 1601 CE
Michael the Brave (Romanian: Mihai Viteazu, Mihai Bravu, 1558 - August 9, 1601) is the Prince of Wallachia (1593–1601), of Transylvania (1599–1600), and of Moldavia (1600), the three Romanian principalities being joined in the form of personal union for a brief time under his rule.
During his reign, which coincides with the Long War, these three principalities forming the territory of present-day Romania and Republic of Moldova are ruled for the first time by a single Romanian leader, though the union lasts for less than six months.
He is regarded as one of Romania's greatest national heroes.
His rule begins in the autumn of 1593, and two years later the war with the Ottomans starts, a conflict in which the Prince fights the Battle of Călugăreni, considered one of the most important battles of his reign.
Although the Wallachians emerge victorious from the battle, Michael is forced to retreat with his troops and wait for aid from his allies (Prince Sigismund Báthory of Transylvania, Emperor Rudolf II of Austria).
The war continues until a peace finally emerges in January 1597, but this only lasts for a year and a half.
Peace is again reached in late 1599, when Michael is unable to continue the war due to lack of support from his allies.
In 1599 Michael wins the Battle of Şelimbăr and soon enters Alba Iulia, becoming the Prince of Transylvania.
A few months later, Michael's troops invade Moldavia and reach its capital, Suceava.
The Moldavian leader Ieremia Movilă flees to Poland and Michael is declared Prince of Moldavia.
Michael cannot keep the control of all three provinces and the nobles of Transylvania rise against him along with, to a lesser extent, the boyars in Moldavia and Wallachia.
Michael, allied with the Austrian General Giorgio Basta, defeats an uprising by the Hungarian nobility at Gurăslău.
Immediately after this, Basta orders the assassination of Michael, which takes place on August 9, 1601.
