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Stefan the Great (cel Mare) Prince of Moldavia 1457-1504 Mi 557

Michael the Brave (Viteazul) Prince of Walachia 1593-1601 Mi 559

The first major states in present Romania were established in Walachia under Basarab (1310-52) and in Moldavia under Bogdan I (1359-65). While Walachia in the beginning managed to maintain it's independence in front of a weak Hungarian kingdom, Moldavia was under strong Polish influence during the 15th century. From 1391, however, Walachia, and from 1513 Moldavia, had to pay tribute to the Ottoman Turks. Especially Walachia suffered as Turkish staging area towards Hungary. In the opposition against the Turks Stefan the Great of Moldavia (1457-1504) distinguished himself, while Michael the Brave of Walachia (1593-1601) for a short while ruled over all lands of modern Romania.
 

Dimitrie Cantemir Prince of Moldavia 1693, 1710-11 Mi 553

Constantin Brancoveanu Prince of Walachia 1688-1714 Mi 556

After the fall of Budapests and the establishment of a Transylvanian Principality under Turkish supremacy (1541), Constantinople increased it's power in Walachia and Moldavia to the level where they could appoint voievods (princes) from the native upper class families. Among these especially Vasile Lupu (1634-54) ensured Moldavian and Matei Basarab (1632-54) and Constantin Brancoveanu (1688-1714) Walachian economic and cultural progress. In this context also Dimitrie Cantemir, prince of Moldavia 1693 and 1710-11, must be mentioned as one of the greatest humanistic scientists of his time.

Due to increased relations between Romania and Russia, the Turks for reasons of security from 1711 and 1716 leased the principalities of Iasi (Moldavia) and Bucarest (Walachia) to Greek phanariots. These exploited the country thoroughly, but the population was much less exposed to direct Turkish influence than the Bulgarians south of the Danube. The Hungarian-Turkish struggle for control of Transylvania, however, ended with the Habsburg occupation in 1699 (treaty of Karlowitz).

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