Constantine Mavrocordatos
Constantin Mavrocordat (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Μαυροκορδάτος; * February 27, 1711 in Constantinople, Opel, † November 23, 1769 in Iaşi ) was six times Gospodar ( Prince ) of Wallachia and four times Gospodar of Moldova.
Life
Constantin Mavrocordat was born in Constantinople Opel as the son of Greek prince Nicolae Mavrocordat. He belonged to the Phanariots, but grew up in the Danubian principalities. Like his father, he was extremely learned and hung the Enlightenment ideas of the 17th century. Mavrocordat was married twice, first marriage to the late 1730 Smaranda Cantacuzino, later with Ecaterina Rosetti, with whom he had three sons.
Prince he was the direct election of the boyars. After two short reigns in Wallachia the Porte sent him into the river Vltava, which was much poorer than the southern neighbor. In order to keep the throne in Iaşi, he had to raise taxes immediately, which was manifestly contrary to him.
After two years he again took over the principality of Wallachia, where he now began his part to carry out reforms under the influence of the Austrian reforms in the Lesser Wallachia. Some indirect taxes, such as taxes for the keeping of cows and the land tax were abolished and for a general fee of ten lei, which was payable in four installments introduced. The serfs were liberated and were given the right to move from one well to another. In addition, they could buy their complete freedom from landlords with another ten lei. Direct the boyars belonging farmers were committed to a delivery and 12 working days in Wallachia, or 24 working days in Moldova for the rule in the course of a year. In contrast, the number of working days was in neighboring countries such as Transylvania, Poland, Russia and Prussia for several days per week. The boyars were given a certain number of liberated (in the case of a Großbojaren were there 60), which had to pay only those taxes, and were exempt from any tax to the exchequer. Included in administrative circles meritorious men were appointed, were allowed to speak the law and extensive administrative duties took over. As a result of the Russo- Austrian Turkish War 1736-1739 Mavrocordat reached in the Peace of Belgrade, the reunification of the earlier Austrian Lesser Wallachia with his principality.
Also in Moldavia same reforms were implemented during his reign there. When Prince Mavrocordat tried always to improve the living conditions of his subjects. First was in 1746 in Wallachia, in 1749 then in Moldavia serfdom ( rum: SERBIE or iobăgie ) repealed. He cared deeply about the few existing schools and the education level of the priest, had the mandatory rule in Romanian language and writing. Also ecclesiastical books were printed in Romanian.
In the Russian-Turkish war from 1768 to 1774, he was wounded in battle, captured in Galaţi and brought to Iasi, where he died on November 23, 1769.