Radu Leon Explained

Radu Leon
Succession:Prince of Wallachia
Reign1:December 1664 – March 1669
Predecessor1:Grigore I Ghica
Successor1:Antonie Vodă din Popești
Father:Leon Tomșa
Birth Date:unknown
Death Date:1669
Religion:Orthodox

Radu Leon (? – 1669) was ruler of Wallachia from 1664 to 1669.[1] He had the byname Radu the Oyster-seller.

Son of Wallachian ruler Leon Tomșa, and putative grandson of Ștefan Tomșa, ruler of Moldavia, Radu Leon replaced the deposed Grigore I Ghica in December 1664.

Supposedly barely able to speak Romanian, Radu's authority relied on the support of the Phanariots, and especially the Cantacuzino family. Șerban Cantacuzino, later ruler of Wallachia, served as his chamberlain, and Draghici Cantacuzino commanded Radu's armies.

Anti-Greek protests beginning in December 1668 led to Radu's downfall in March 1669 and replacement by Antonie Vodă din Popești.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Demel, Juliusz . Historia Rumunii . . 1970 . . 203 . pl.