Moldova – King Petru Aron

Peter III Aaron, bastard son of Alexandru cel Bun, was a Voivode (Prince) of Moldavia on three separate occasions: October 1451 to February 1452, August 1454 to February 1455, and May 1455 to April 1457. The first two were during a civil war with Alexăndrel. Aron ascended to the throne after assassinating Bogdan II, while the latter was at a wedding in Rauseni. Immediately, his rule was challenged by Alexăndrel, whom Petru managed to defeat in March 1455, forcing Alexăndrel to take refuge in the fortress at Cetatea Albă. Petru confirmed his father's commercial privileges awarded to Polish traders in Moldavia, and took an oath of vassalage to King Casimir IV. In 1456, Petru agreed to pay the Ottomans a tribute of 2,000 gold ducats, in order to ensure his southern borders, thus becoming the first of the Moldavian rulers to accept the Turkish demands.

The real challenge to his throne came with Bogdan II's son Ştefan cel Mare. The young prince had been given the protection of Kingdom of Hungary captain-general John Hunyadi and, after John's death, that of Vlad III Dracula (Vlad Ţepeş) - the new Prince of Wallachia. According to the interpretation of the account in the Chronicle (Letopiseţ) of Putna, Vlad had offered Ştefan his full support for his venture. In April 1457, after two battles, Petru was deposed and had to flee, taking refuge first in Poland and then in Székelyföld. There, he played a part in increasing the tensions between Ştefan cel Mare and King Matthias Corvinus. Following Matthias's incursion and subsequent defeat at the Battle of Baia (December 15 1467), Petru was captured and executed.

Petru Aron issued new billon (is an alloy of a precious metal (most commonly silver, but also mercury) with a majority base metal content (such as copper). It is used chiefly for making coins, medals, and token coins.) and copper currency - on the grosh design but struck in better silver, probably as a part of a reform in monetary standards. My Dear friend Leisea sent me this nice maxi card.

Romania - Bucovina - Moldova

The name Bucovina means beech land Location Northeastern Romania - between the Carpathian Mountains and the Prut River. Bucovina is situated in the northern part of the region of Moldova, bordering with Ukraine.
Note: The region of Moldova (often referred to in the Western press as Moldavia) is not to be confused with the Republic of Moldova, its eastern neighbor. Area 27,062 sq miles Population Approximately 4.5 million Main cities Bacau, Botosani, Galati, Iasi, Piatra Neamt, Radauti, Suceava Climate Temperate continental with hot summers and cold, snowy winters

Places to explore

• The monasteries and churches with painted exterior frescos of Bucovina: Voronet (‘the Sistine Chapel of the East’), Moldovita, Sucevita, Humor, Probota, Arbore, Rasca
• The old monasteries and convents of: Putna, Dragomirna, Bogdana-Radauti, Neamt, Agapia (one of the largest nun monasteries in the Orthodox world)  and Varatec
• Trei Ierarahi Church  in Iasi - built in 1635, its walls, real stone embroidery
• The Neamt Fortress (Cetatea Neamtului) in Targu Neamt
• The natural scenery of the Bicaz Gorges – one of the most spectacular road
  passes in Romania
• The Ceahlau, Romania’s Olympus – sacred mountain of Dacians, the forefathers
  of the Romanian people, where Zamolxes, their supreme god, had his temple.
• Take a wine tasting tour and try some of Romania’s finest sweet wines at
  Cotnari Vineyards, established in1448

   This lovely card was sent to me by Oana.