12 Facts About Petru Cercel

Petru II Cercel was a Voivode of Wallachia from 1583 to 1585, legitimate son to Patrascu cel Bun and alleged half-brother of Mihai Viteazul.

Petru Cercel spent his early years constantly traveling, trying to win support in his bid for the Wallachian throne.

The fact that, as of 1579, he received unconditional support in France, coupled with the jewellery-wearing that attracted his moniker have led to speculations that Petru Cercel belonged to the group of mignons of Henry III.

Petru Cercel's stay in the Ottoman capital was marked by a competition in bribing and intrigue, carried out against Ecaterina Salvaresso, mother to the child-voivode Mihnea.

Petru Cercel was to emerge the winner, with Mihnea and Ecaterina heading for a brief exile in Tripoli.

Petru Cercel expanded and improved the Court in Targoviste, notably by adding the Casa Domneasca, a Renaissance-inspired small palace, by building a new wall and Princely church, and by introducing plumbing.

Petru Cercel established a bronze cannon foundry in the city.

The maneuvers of Mihnea and the hostility of certain Turkish beys attracted Petru Cercel's fall from grace.

Petru Cercel arrived in Transylvania only to be arrested in Medias on Sigismund Bathory's orders after being deserted by his men.

Petru Cercel's belongings were confiscated and he was sent to prison in Maramures.

In 1587, Petru Cercel managed to escape by sliding down a rope out the open window.

Petru Cercel tried to profit from Mihnea's second fall from grace, but he proved to be a feeble opponent: as Mihnea regained the throne, Petru was imprisoned at Yedikule.