# House of Basarab

The House of Basarab (sometimes spelled as Bazarab, Romanian: Basarab pronounced ) was a ruling family that established the Principality of Wallachia, giving the country its first line of Princes, one closely related with the Mușatin rulers of Moldavia. Its status as a dynasty is rendered problematic by the official elective system, which implied that male members of the same family, including illegitimate offspring, were chosen to rule by a council of boyars (more often than not, the election was conditioned by the military force exercised by candidates). After the rule of Alexandru I Aldea (ended in 1436), the house was split by the conflict between the Dănești and the Drăculești, both of which claimed legitimacy. Several late rulers of the Craiovești claimed direct descent from the House after its eventual demise, including Neagoe Basarab, Matei Basarab, Constantin Șerban, Șerban Cantacuzino, and Constantin Brâncoveanu.
Rulers usually mentioned as members of the House include (in chronological order of first rule) Mircea the Elder, Dan II, Vlad II Dracul, Vlad III the Impaler, Vlad the Monk, Radu IV the Great, and Radu of Afumați.

## Name and origins

The dynasty was named after Voivode Basarab I (r. around 1320 – 1352), who gained the independence of Wallachia from the Kingdom of Hungary.
The origin of the family is highly disputed, with theories suggesting either a Vlach, or Romanianized Cuman background. However, there is no scholarly consensus on their actual origin. The Cuman hypothesis is largely based on the origin of Basarab's name, but remains unproven. At least four royal charters from the 14th century refer to Basarab as a 'Vlach' and in his lifetime Basarab would have certainly considered himself as a member of the Romanian elite of Wallachia.
The name Basarab is of Cuman or Pecheneg Turkic origin and most likely meant "conquering or reigning father"; Bas was the present participle of the verb "to rule", while the second part is believed to derive from the honorary title -aba "father", recognizable in many Cuman names, such as Terteroba, Arslanapa, and Ursoba. Besides the Cumans, the name was also common among Romanians in medieval Wallachia and Transylvania. Basarab's baptismal name was most likely "Ioan" or "Ivanco", as noted in the preface to the Dušan Code and other Serbian and Bulgarian documents. Basarab's "possible" father Thocomerius likely bore a Latin rendering of the Slavic name "Tihomir", a common name amongst Vlachs and South Slavs in the Middle Ages. Alternatively, the name is identified as Toq-tämir, a Cuman and Tatar name attested in the 13th century. Some historians consider the name's origin a weak argument to support the Dynasty's Cuman origin, while they believe contemporary documents that universally regard Basarab as "Vlach" to be of greater relevance.

## Genealogy

The following genealogical tree is a simplified version, meant to show the ruling princes, their documented brothers and sisters, and the spouses/extramarital liaisons of those who had ruling heirs, following the conventions:
* Ruling princes have their name emphasized and their ruling years in Wallachia.
* Several members of House of Basarab ruled in Moldavia; those reigning years are marked with M.
* Small numbers at the end of each name are meant to indicate the mother of each offspring.
* There are two branches of the dynasty: Drăculeşti (DR) and Dăneşti (DA)
* If the prince died while ruling, the last year is preceded by a cross.
* Spouses and extramarital liaisons are separated by a horizontal line.
House of Basarab :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Basarab I 1310-†1352 | Basarab I 1310-†1352 | Basarab I 1310-†1352 | Basarab I 1310-†1352 | Basarab I 1310-†1352 | Basarab I 1310-†1352 | | | Margareta | Margareta | Margareta | Margareta |
| | | | | Theodora of Wallachia | Theodora of Wallachia | Theodora of Wallachia | Theodora of Wallachia | Theodora of Wallachia | Theodora of Wallachia | | | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria | Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria | | | | | | | | | Nicolae Alexandru 1352-†1364 | Nicolae Alexandru 1352-†1364 | Nicolae Alexandru 1352-†1364 | Nicolae Alexandru 1352-†1364 | Nicolae Alexandru 1352-†1364 | Nicolae Alexandru 1352-†1364 | | | Maria Lackfy$^1$ Clara Dobokai$^2$ Maria Dabkai$^3$ | Maria Lackfy$^1$ Clara Dobokai$^2$ Maria Dabkai$^3$ | Maria Lackfy$^1$ Clara Dobokai$^2$ Maria Dabkai$^3$ | Maria Lackfy$^1$ Clara Dobokai$^2$ Maria Dabkai$^3$ | Maria Lackfy$^1$ Clara Dobokai$^2$ Maria Dabkai$^3$ | Maria Lackfy$^1$ Clara Dobokai$^2$ Maria Dabkai$^3$ |
| | | | | | | | | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | | | Vladislav I$^1$ 1364-†1377 | Vladislav I$^1$ 1364-†1377 | Vladislav I$^1$ 1364-†1377 | Vladislav I$^1$ 1364-†1377 | Vladislav I$^1$ 1364-†1377 | Vladislav I$^1$ 1364-†1377 | Radu I$^1$ 1377-†1383 | Radu I$^1$ 1377-†1383 | Radu I$^1$ 1377-†1383 | Radu I$^1$ 1377-†1383 | Radu I$^1$ 1377-†1383 | Radu I$^1$ 1377-†1383 | | | Ana$^1$ Kalinikia$^2$ | Ana$^1$ Kalinikia$^2$ | Ana$^1$ Kalinikia$^2$ | Ana$^1$ Kalinikia$^2$ | Ana$^1$ Kalinikia$^2$ | Ana$^1$ Kalinikia$^2$ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Vladislaus II of Opole With Catarine Elis$^1$ | Vladislaus II of Opole With Catarine Elis$^1$ | Vladislaus II of Opole With Catarine Elis$^1$ | Vladislaus II of Opole With Catarine Elis$^1$ | Vladislaus II of Opole With Catarine Elis$^1$ | Vladislaus II of Opole With Catarine Elis$^1$ | | | Elisabeth of Wallachia | Elisabeth of Wallachia | Elisabeth of Wallachia | Elisabeth of Wallachia | Elisabeth of Wallachia | Elisabeth of Wallachia | | | Vojislav$^1$ | Vojislav$^1$ | Vojislav$^1$ | Vojislav$^1$ | Vojislav$^1$ | Vojislav$^1$ | | | Anna of Wallachia $^2$ | Anna of Wallachia $^2$ | Anna of Wallachia $^2$ | Anna of Wallachia $^2$ | Anna of Wallachia $^2$ | Anna of Wallachia $^2$ | | | Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria | Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria | Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria | Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria | Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria | Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria | | | Anca$^2$ | Anca$^2$ | Anca$^2$ | Anca$^2$ | Anca$^2$ | Anca$^2$ | | | Stephen Uroš V of Serbia | Stephen Uroš V of Serbia | Stephen Uroš V of Serbia | Stephen Uroš V of Serbia | Stephen Uroš V of Serbia | Stephen Uroš V of Serbia |
| | | | | Dan I$^{DA1}$ 1383-†1386 | Dan I$^{DA1}$ 1383-†1386 | Dan I$^{DA1}$ 1383-†1386 | Dan I$^{DA1}$ 1383-†1386 | Dan I$^{DA1}$ 1383-†1386 | Dan I$^{DA1}$ 1383-†1386 | | | Maria of Serbia | Maria of Serbia | Maria of Serbia | Maria of Serbia | Maria of Serbia | Maria of Serbia | | | | | | | | | Staico$^2$ | Staico$^2$ | Staico$^2$ | Staico$^2$ | Staico$^2$ | Staico$^2$ | | | | | | | Mircea I$^2$ 1386-1394 1397-†1418 | Mircea I$^2$ 1386-1394 1397-†1418 | Mircea I$^2$ 1386-1394 1397-†1418 | Mircea I$^2$ 1386-1394 1397-†1418 | Mircea I$^2$ 1386-1394 1397-†1418 | Mircea I$^2$ 1386-1394 1397-†1418 | | Maria Tolmay $^1$ Anca$^2$ | Maria Tolmay $^1$ Anca$^2$ | Maria Tolmay $^1$ Anca$^2$ | Maria Tolmay $^1$ Anca$^2$ | Maria Tolmay $^1$ Anca$^2$ | Maria Tolmay $^1$ Anca$^2$ | | | Royal dynasty of Silesia | Royal dynasty of Silesia | Royal dynasty of Silesia | Royal dynasty of Silesia | Royal dynasty of Silesia | Royal dynasty of Silesia | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | Royal dynasty of Bulgaria | | | | | | | | | | | Royal dynasty of Serbia | Royal dynasty of Serbia | Royal dynasty of Serbia | Royal dynasty of Serbia | Royal dynasty of Serbia | Royal dynasty of Serbia | | | | |
| | | Dan II $^{DA}$ 1422-1427 1427-†1431 | Dan II $^{DA}$ 1422-1427 1427-†1431 | Dan II $^{DA}$ 1422-1427 1427-†1431 | | | ? | ? | ? | | | Ioan | Ioan | Ioan | | | Vlad I?1394-†1397 | Vlad I?1394-†1397 | Vlad I?1394-†1397 | | | | | | | | | | | Mihail I$^1$ 1418-†1420 | Mihail I$^1$ 1418-†1420 | Mihail I$^1$ 1418-†1420 | | | ? | ? | ? | | | Radu II$^1$ 1420-1422 †1427 | Radu II$^1$ 1420-1422 †1427 | Radu II$^1$ 1420-1422 †1427 | | Alexandru I$^1$ 1431-†1436 | Alexandru I$^1$ 1431-†1436 | Alexandru I$^1$ 1431-†1436 | | | Vlad II Dracul$^{DR,1}$ 1436-1442 1444-†1447 | Vlad II Dracul$^{DR,1}$ 1436-1442 1444-†1447 | Vlad II Dracul$^{DR,1}$ 1436-1442 1444-†1447 | | | ?$^1$ Vassilissa of Moldavia$^2$Călţuna$^3$ ?$^4$ | ?$^1$ Vassilissa of Moldavia$^2$Călţuna$^3$ ?$^4$ | ?$^1$ Vassilissa of Moldavia$^2$Călţuna$^3$ ?$^4$ | | |
| Basarab II$^{DA}$ 1442-1444 | Basarab II$^{DA}$ 1442-1444 | Basarab II$^{DA}$ 1442-1444 | Basarab II$^{DA}$ 1442-1444 | | | Maria | Maria | Maria | Maria | | | Dan III of Wallachia Stanciul | Dan III of Wallachia Stanciul | Dan III of Wallachia Stanciul | Dan III of Wallachia Stanciul | | | Vladislav II$^{DA}$ 1447-1448 1448-†1456 | Vladislav II$^{DA}$ 1447-1448 1448-†1456 | Vladislav II$^{DA}$ 1447-1448 1448-†1456 | Vladislav II$^{DA}$ 1447-1448 1448-†1456 | Neacşa | Neacşa | Neacşa | Neacşa | | | Basarab III$^{DA}$ 1473 1474 1475-1476 1476-1477 | Basarab III$^{DA}$ 1473 1474 1475-1476 1476-1477 | Basarab III$^{DA}$ 1473 1474 1475-1476 1476-1477 | Basarab III$^{DA}$ 1473 1474 1475-1476 1476-1477 | | | Radu Mihail | Radu Mihail | Radu Mihail | Radu Mihail | | | Mircea II$^{DR,1}$ 1442 | Mircea II$^{DR,1}$ 1442 | Mircea II$^{DR,1}$ 1442 | Mircea II$^{DR,1}$ 1442 | | Vlad IV Calugarul$^{DR}$ | Vlad IV Calugarul$^{DR}$ | Vlad IV Calugarul$^{DR}$ | Vlad IV Calugarul$^{DR}$ | | | Radu III the Fair$^{DR}$ | Radu III the Fair$^{DR}$ | Radu III the Fair$^{DR}$ | Radu III the Fair$^{DR}$ | | | Alexandra$^2$ | Alexandra$^2$ | Alexandra$^2$ | Alexandra$^2$ | | | Vlad III the Impaler$^{DR}$ | Vlad III the Impaler$^{DR}$ | Vlad III the Impaler$^{DR}$ | Vlad III the Impaler$^{DR}$ | | | Mircea (Illegitimate)$^{DR,4}$ 1480 | Mircea (Illegitimate)$^{DR,4}$ 1480 | Mircea (Illegitimate)$^{DR,4}$ 1480 | Mircea (Illegitimate)$^{DR,4}$ 1480 |
| Basarab the Young | Basarab the Young | Basarab the Young | Basarab the Young | Basarab the Young | Basarab the Young | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Vladislav | Vladislav | Vladislav | Vladislav | Vladislav | Vladislav | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Radu IV the Great | Radu IV the Great | Radu IV the Great | Radu IV the Great | Radu IV the Great | Radu IV the Great | | | | | | | | | | | Vlad cel Tânăr | Vlad cel Tânăr | Vlad cel Tânăr | Vlad cel Tânăr | Vlad cel Tânăr | Vlad cel Tânăr | | | | | | | | | | | Mihnea cel Rău | Mihnea cel Rău | Mihnea cel Rău | Mihnea cel Rău | Mihnea cel Rău | Mihnea cel Rău |
| Neagoe Basarab CRAIOVEŞTI | Neagoe Basarab CRAIOVEŞTI | Neagoe Basarab CRAIOVEŞTI | Neagoe Basarab CRAIOVEŞTI | Neagoe Basarab CRAIOVEŞTI | Neagoe Basarab CRAIOVEŞTI | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Vladislav III of Wallachia | Vladislav III of Wallachia | Vladislav III of Wallachia | Vladislav III of Wallachia | Vladislav III of Wallachia | Vladislav III of Wallachia | | | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | | | Radu Bădica | Radu Bădica | Radu Bădica | Radu Bădica | Radu Bădica | Radu Bădica | | Radu Paisie | Radu Paisie | Radu Paisie | Radu Paisie | Radu Paisie | Radu Paisie | | | Mircea the Shepherd | Mircea the Shepherd | Mircea the Shepherd | Mircea the Shepherd | Mircea the Shepherd | Mircea the Shepherd | | | Vlad Vintilă de la Slatina | Vlad Vintilă de la Slatina | Vlad Vintilă de la Slatina | Vlad Vintilă de la Slatina | Vlad Vintilă de la Slatina | Vlad Vintilă de la Slatina | | | Vlad VI Înecatul | Vlad VI Înecatul | Vlad VI Înecatul | Vlad VI Înecatul | Vlad VI Înecatul | Vlad VI Înecatul | | | | | | | | | | | Mircea III Dracul | Mircea III Dracul | Mircea III Dracul | Mircea III Dracul | Mircea III Dracul | Mircea III Dracul |
| Teodosie of Wallachia | Teodosie of Wallachia | Teodosie of Wallachia | Teodosie of Wallachia | Teodosie of Wallachia | Teodosie of Wallachia | | | Stephen IV of Moldavia | Stephen IV of Moldavia | Stephen IV of Moldavia | Stephen IV of Moldavia | Stephen IV of Moldavia | Stephen IV of Moldavia | | | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Radu of Afumați | Moise of Wallachia | Moise of Wallachia | Moise of Wallachia | Moise of Wallachia | Moise of Wallachia | Moise of Wallachia | | | Radu Ilie Haidăul | Radu Ilie Haidăul | Radu Ilie Haidăul | Radu Ilie Haidăul | Radu Ilie Haidăul | Radu Ilie Haidăul | | | | | | | | | | Pătrașcu the Good | Pătrașcu the Good | Pătrașcu the Good | Pătrașcu the Good | Pătrașcu the Good | Pătrașcu the Good | | | Peter the Younger | Peter the Younger | Peter the Younger | Peter the Younger | Peter the Younger | Peter the Younger | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Alexander II Mircea | Alexander II Mircea | Alexander II Mircea | Alexander II Mircea | Alexander II Mircea | Alexander II Mircea | | | Peter the Lame | Peter the Lame | Peter the Lame | Peter the Lame | Peter the Lame | Peter the Lame |

## Legacy

The Basarab name is the origin of several place names, including the region of Bessarabia (today part of Moldova and Ukraine) and a few towns, such as Basarabi in Romania, Basarabeasca in the Republic of Moldova, and Basarbovo in Bulgaria.
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom herself was descended from Princess Stanca of Basarab (1518?-1601) as an eighth-generation descendant of Claudine Rhédey von Kis-Rhéde of Erdőszentgyörgy, a Hungarian countess from the Teck-Cambridge family. Elizabeth was thus also a great-grandniece of Vlad IV the Monk.