Saint Neagoe Basarab

Neagoe Basarab was the Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia between 1512 and 1521. Born into the boyar family of the Craiovești (his reign marks the climax of the family's political influence) as the son of Pârvu Craiovescu or Basarab Țepeluș cel Tânăr, Neagoe Basarab, who replaced Vlad cel Tânăr after the latter rejected Craioveşti tutelage, was noted for his abilities and competence. He is sometimes mentioned as Neagoe Basarab IV, due to other Wallachian rulers by the name Basarab (not Neagoe Basarab) preceding him on the throne, some of them certain members of the House of Basarab and some less so. He wrote a mirror for princes called The teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his son Theodosie, written in Church Slavonic. It was intended to educate his son on the topics of philosophy, diplomacy, morality and ethics. In 2008, he was posthumously canonised as a Christian saint by the Romanian Orthodox Church. His annual feast day is on 26 September. The early life of Neagoe is mostly unknown before his rise to political prominence. His slow rise to power was influenced in large part by the help of his grandfather Neagoe Craiovescu, who pushed from 1508 for his ascendence to the throne. This can be seen in his rising up in political appointments: Mihnea fled Wallachia in 1510 while being pursued by the Craiovescu faction, and Mircea left Wallachia around 26 January 1510, after a battle near Cotmeana with an Ottoman army led by Neagoe Basarab. In November 28, 1511 Neagoe helps capture Mircea and chase him out of the country. After Pârvu, Bogdan took over the Divan. After November Vlad cel Tânăr and the Craiovești family developed a falling out. The boyars, accustomed to being in the head of the state, were envious of Bogdan's authority. Moreover, Vlad suspected Neagoe of wanting to become the Prince of Wallachia. Vlad summons the Craiovești and makes them swear that Neagoe is not the son of a Lord, threatening to cut off their nose or eyes.