Stephen II of Moldavia

Who was Stephen II of Moldavia?

Stephen II was a Prince of Moldavia. He ruled alone between September 1434 and August 1435, jointly with Iliaş of Moldavia from August 1435 to May 1443, alone from May 1443 to May 1444, in association with his brother Petru from May 1444 to 1445, and alone until July 1447.

He was the son of Alexander the Good and a concubine, Stanca. He deposed his brother Iliaş I with the assistance several boyars and of the Wallachian Prince Vlad II Dracul. In exchange for Pokuttya the Poles, to whom Iliaş had pledged his allegiance, also recognised him, and King Władysław III agreed to capture Iliaş and hold him in prison.

Iliaş was eventually freed in 1435, and returned at the head of an army, engaging his brother in several battles; the indecisive one in Podraga or Podagra brought Władysław III's mediation: an agreement was reached for Stephen and Iliaş to share the throne, with Stephen as ruler over the southeastern part of Moldavia, in Tecuci, Kilia, Vaslui, and Covurlui.

In 1443, Iliaş breached their agreement, and Stephen caught him and gouged out his eyes. Blinded, Iliaş sought refuge in Poland, while Stephen remained prince, taking as his associate an illegitimate brother, Petru II.