Proud Heritage

After 1394 King Mircea the Elder, ruler of Wallachia, ponders the eventual consequences of a military alliance with the Poles versus one with the Turks. Following the 1394 Battle of Rovine between the Wallachian and Ottoman armies Wallachian ruler Mircea the Elder consolidates his reign.In a small civil war he manages to oust his brother Dan from Wallachia.Dan's dream of usurping the Wallachian throne is destroyed and he is banished from the kingdom.After this confrontation Prince Mircea the Elder ruler of Wallachia receives envoys from the Polish king and from the Ottoman sultan.In their attempt to conquer Europe the Ottoman Turks are seeking European allies.Their envoys to Wallachia want to persuade Prince Mircea to join them but the Polish envoys also are hoping to sway Wallachia to their side.Prince Mircea of Wallachia hesitates.An alliance with fellow Christian Poles seems logical but their conditions are harsh.The conditions of a possible military alliance with the Ottoman Turks are more attractive.However,the Ottoman Turks are Muslim and they also are the traditional enemies of the small Christian kingdom of Wallachia.Caught between two waring major powers Wallachia faces hard choices.The key to its survival is Prince Mircea's wisdom. —nufs68