Abstract:
In the present study, we aimed to analyze the determining factors that influenced the political activity of the Lords of Moldova: personal interests, external political commitments and responsibility towards the country. Our investigation is focused on the political activity of Alexandru Lăpușneanu. The case of Alexandru Lăpușneanu is a reference, in the context of the ability to oscillate, in his political activity, between interests, commitments and responsibility towards the country. Historical sources have captured the danger that loomed over Moldova of being ruled by a Muslim in the middle of the 16th century, following the conversion to Islam of Ilie Rareș, but also the division of the political elite into several factions with various external political orientations, some working in emigration. In the context of the concerns of the political and church elite, a candidate for the throne of Moldova is identified who had a personal interest to occupy the throne, to be recognized as a representative of the ruling dynasty, the highest honor that could be granted to him - the illegitimate son of Bogdan of III. Not having enough resources to take over the throne, the pretender makes commitments to the political power that grants him this help: the Kingdom of Poland in 1552 and the Ottoman Empire in 1564. The change in the external political option of Alexandru Lăpușneanu was determined by the danger that represented for the stability of the Country the pretenders to the Dominion supported by the Polish Crown. Showing responsibility towards the country, worried about the danger of Moldova being turned into a pashalac, Alexandru Lăpușneanu asks for Polish help, and in case the pretenders supported by Poland destabilize the situation in the country, Alexandru Lăpușneanu will accept the protection of the Ottoman Empire. The careful analysis of the sources convinces us that in the middle of the century. 16th century, Moldova was going through a very complicated period of changing its political-legal status, a situation that led Alexandru Lăpușneanu to oscillate between personal interests, political commitments and responsibility towards the country.
