Alexandru of Moldavia

Alexandru was the first-born son of Stephen III of Moldavia.[1] His mother's identification is uncertain, because she may have been either one Mărușca (or Mărica), or Evdochia of Kiev, according to historian Jonathan Eagles.[2] Assuming that Mărușca was Stephen's concubine, Eagles proposes that Alexandru could have been an illegitimate son.[2] On the other hand, Stephen's charter of grant to the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos names Alexandru as one of the children of Stephen and Evdochia of Kiev.[3] Consequently, according to Eagles, it is also possible, that Stephen fathered two sons named Alexandru, and his co-ruler was Evdochia's son.[4] If Alexandru was Mărușca's son, he must have been born between 1457 and 1463; if Evdochia was his mother, he must have been born between 1463 and 1467.[2]

Alexandru participated in the Battle of Valea Albă in 1476, according to an inscription at the Church of Saint Michael in Războieni.[5] An inscription at the Church of Saint Procopius in Milișăuți recorded that Alexandru also fought alongside his father against Basarab the Younger at Râmnicu Vâlcea in 1481.[6] Around that time, Alexandru, established his own court at Bacău.[5] He allegedly administered the Lower Country (the southern region of Moldavia), according to Eagles.[5] In the 1480s, he only referred to himself as his father's son, showing that he was still not regarded his father's co-ruler.[5]

Alexandru was made his father's co-ruler before 1 January 1491.[7] On this day he was styled voivode on an inscription at the church of the Dormition of the Mother of God in Bacău.[8] The church had been built at Alexandru's order.[9] He died on 26 July 1496.[10] He was buried in the Bistrița Monastery.[11]