Matei Basarab

Matei Basarab (Romanian pronunciation:

Reign

Much of Matei's reign was spent fighting off incursions from Moldavia, which he successfully accomplished in 1637, 1639, and 1653 – see Battle of Finta. He was an enlightened ruler, and is noted for introducing the printing press to Wallachia (1634) and creating the first Wallachian code of laws as well as patronizing art and religion (founder of the first upper school in his Principality). He built more than 45 churches and monasteries, being compared to Stephen the Great, the famous ruler of Moldavia.

His election in 1632 signified the first official exception to a rule set by

Matei Basarab's rule also coincides with the last stage in the decay of the lesser nobility, the result of political pressure from boyars and drastic economical changes (the revolt of the seimeni military under Constantin Șerban probably has this as its main cause).

It seems that the Prince was planning emancipation from

He was married to Elena Năsturel.

Laws and reforms

Matei Basarab and his contemporary, the Moldavian

• Gheorghe I. Brătianu, Sfatul domnesc și Adunarea Stărilor în Principatele Române, Bucharest, 1995