Oleksii Balukh International Policy of Moldavian Hospodar Stephen III the Great in the Context of Northern Bukovyna History (1457 – 1474)

Abstract

The article highlights the fact of the domestic political situation stabilizing inMoldaviaafter Stephen III coming to power. The peace agreement between Poland and Moldavia that recognized the supremacy of the Polish king was signed on April 4, 1459, and on March 2,1462 anew vassal agreement was signed with the Polish king, who did not put forward territorial claims to the Moldavian state, including the Shypyntsi land. Returning the Khotyn castle under voivode authorities became the main outcome of the mentioned agreement. The meeting of the King of Poland and Stephen III representatives was held on October 9,1467 inKhotyn. That meeting confirmed King’s suzerainty overMoldavia. Thus the town of Khotyn and the fortress was under the authority of the Moldavian Hospodar. The relations with the Hungarian King M.Corvin worsened in 1467. He led the army of 40,000 soldiers to Suceava in November, hoping to put his protege Peter Aron on the Moldavian throne. Stephen III defeated Hungarians near Baja on December 14-15. Strengthening of the northern and north-eastern borders ofMoldaviatook place in late 1460 – early 1470. Complete renovation of the old fortifications in Khotyn fortress due to emergence of new weapons – firing artillery – was made that time. Thus, Hospodar Stephen’s III active international policy brought settling of the military and political relations withHungaryandPoland. Strengthening of the northern and north-eastern borders ofMoldaviaalso took place that time. Having seized Kiliya and having made a few campaigns to Wallachia 1473-1474), Stephen III weakened Ottoman influence in the north of theDanube. The Turkish-Moldavian conflict came to its culmination in 1474 as a result of refusal to pay annual tribute to the Sultan that incurred a numerous Ottoman army to the state.