Radu of Afumați remains in the history of Wallachia as one of those rulers who decisively shaped the destiny of the medieval Romanian state, even if his name does not always appear prominently in textbooks or public discourse. 

The rise to the throne and the political context of the era

He ruled four times between 1522 and 1529, a period shaken by internal conflicts, rivalries among major boyar families, and constant pressure from the Ottoman Empire. Each return to the throne required significant political and military effort, confirming not only his strategic skill but also the trust many boyars placed in him during critical moments.

At that time, the struggle for power in Wallachia was influenced by both internal and external forces. The Craiovești family, one of the most powerful in the region, played a decisive role in supporting one ruler or another, while Ottoman backing could tip the balance at any moment. 

Within this turbulent context, the confrontation between Radu of Afumați and Vladislav III became the central axis of political instability. The two succeeded each other repeatedly on the throne, each benefiting at times from support but also suffering from sudden shifts in alliances.

Radu’s first rule, which began in December 1522, was short-lived: in April 1523, the Ottomans reinstated Vladislav III, whom they considered more compliant. But at the end of the same year, local boyars removed the new ruler, allowing Radu to return to power in January 1524. 

The rivalry continued with yet another reversal in April 1524, when Vladislav regained the throne with the help of the Craiovești. However, the political reshuffling did not stop there.

His relationship with the boyars and the 20 battles he fought

The conflict between the two rulers grew more complicated when Vladislav decided to dismiss Ban Pârvu, a key member of the Craiovești family. The move backfired, as the offended boyars shifted their support to Radu of Afumați. In September 1524, at Dridu, Radu decisively defeated Vladislav and reclaimed the throne of Wallachia. 

This time, to prevent further Ottoman intervention, he chose to recognize the suzerainty of the sultan—a gesture that secured him temporary external support. Historian Eudoxiu Hurmuzachi noted that Radu was well received in Istanbul after declaring that he wished to remain a tributary and respect Ottoman authority.

Despite being seemingly free from outside threats, Radu still had no peace. In April 1525, Vladislav III once again managed to take back the throne, but only briefly: in August that same year, Ban Pârvu killed him, allowing Radu of Afumați to become ruler for the fourth and final time. 

Although short, this reign was marked by the consolidation of his alliance with the Craiovești, especially after his marriage to Ruxandra, daughter of the great voivode Neagoe Basarab. Through this union, Radu became directly related to one of the most influential families in Wallachia—a fact that brought him both strong support and powerful envy.

Radu of Afumați’s military life was intense and remarkable. His funerary stone at Curtea de Argeș Monastery lists no fewer than 20 battles he fought: from Ciocănești and Clejani to Târgoviște, Bucharest, Nicopolis, Sistov, Rucăr, or Gherghița. In many of these confrontations, the voivode demonstrated exceptional bravery and determination. 

One of the most important battles remains the one at Grumazi, where he faced seven Ottoman sanjaks in one of the fiercest moments of his military career. This impressive number of victories earned him a reputation as a defender of the country at a time when the transformation of Wallachia into an Ottoman paşalık seemed a real possibility.

His rivalry with the Moldavian ruler and his tragic end

The political intrigue became even more complicated after Radu’s marriage to Ruxandra, when he entered into conflict with Ștefăniță Vodă, the ruler of Moldavia and grandson of Stephen the Great. Ștefăniță, who also wished to marry Ruxandra, perceived Radu as a direct rival. 

The two fought three battles: two won by the Moldavian ruler and one by Radu. Although secondary compared to the internal challenges in Wallachia, this conflict contributed to the general instability of the era.

Still, the greatest danger for Radu came not from beyond the country’s borders but from within. Many boyars, alarmed by the growing influence of the Craiovești family, feared that their own political power was diminishing. Thus, at the beginning of 1529, a group of boyars led by Vornic Neagoe and Postelnic Drăgan organized a conspiracy against him. 

Radu attempted to flee but was captured near Râmnicu Vâlcea and murdered inside a church on the Cetățuia hill, right before the eyes of the priest. This violent death, occurring on January 2, 1529, shocked the entire country. On the same day, his son Vlad was also killed to prevent any continuation of the dynasty.

Historian Ilie Gliga emphasized that Radu of Afumați’s role in preserving the independence of Wallachia is often underestimated. Without his military and political efforts, the Ottoman pressure could have turned the country into a paşalık much sooner.

Radu of Afumați’s legacy and his connection to Bucharest

The voivode’s body was buried at the Curtea de Argeș Monastery alongside other central figures of Wallachian history. His tombstone, which records the 20 battles he fought, remains one of the most evocative testimonies of a life devoted entirely to defending the country.

Today, the name of Radu of Afumați is preserved in collective memory not only through monuments and chronicles but also through the fact that a street in Bucharest bears his name. This urban recognition is far from accidental. 

It reflects the respect for a ruler who stood against invasions, who managed to reclaim the throne four times, and who protected the autonomy of Wallachia during a delicate historical moment. In a city that served several times as a battleground during his conflicts with Vladislav, it is fitting that his memory should remain alive in public space.

In Bucharest, where many streets bear the names of voivodes, cultural figures, or important historical personalities, Radu of Afumați stands out through the courage and determination that marked his entire life. The fact that an urban street honors him is a tribute to a leader who, despite his tragic end, succeeded in leaving behind a legacy worthy of respect.

Radu of Afumați was an outstanding ruler of Wallachia, a leader who managed to protect the autonomy of the country during a period marked by instability and external threats. His four reigns, the 20 battles he won, and the courageous manner in which he faced the dangers of his era place him among the notable voivodes of Romanian history. His violent death only deepened the tragedy of a life devoted almost entirely to struggle.

Through the presence of his name in Bucharest’s toponymy, the capital acknowledges his contribution to the nation’s history. Radu of Afumați remains not only a figure of the past but also a symbol of resistance and of the effort to safeguard the independence of Wallachia.

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