Bărbat

Who is Bărbat?

Bărbat was the brother and successor of voivode Litovoi whose territory had comprised northern Oltenia.

In 1277, Litovoi renounced fealty to king Ladislaus IV of Hungary when the king claimed lands for the crown, but Litovoi refused to pay tribute for them. King Ladislaus IV dispatched a punitive force, and Litovoi was killed during the battle against the Hungarian army. Bărbat was taken prisoner and sent to the royal court where he was forced not only to pay ransom but also to recognize Hungarian rule. After Bărbat accepted Hungarian suzerainty under the stress of circumstances, he returned to his country.

All these events are recounted in the king’s letter of grant of 8 January 1285, in which king Ladislaus IV donated villages in Sáros County to Master George, son of Simon, who had been sent against Litovoi.