Romanian Diplomacy

To know history in detail is in general the work of historians and others related, but presents itself as a necesity for everyone else, being quite handy in scientific debates.

In our history books, the period between Mihai Viteazu and the well known year in European history – 1848, was not given much space. Except few small revolutions and a couple of prominent figures, anything else is hardly mentioned and even those were not detailed in all aspects. Following them and one could easily see that feelings are emphasized. Quite admirable yet not very practical. Have you ever found yourselves in the position to be questioned by a foreigner about that time, stressing that the Romanian Principalities were mearely provinces of Ottoman Empire? Were you ever been stressed that when Austria, Poland, Venice and even Russia were fighting the Ottoman Empire we were their subjects? Have you ever been been taunted with contempt in being remembered that at the siege of Wien, in the so called “decisive” battle for Christianity, the Wallachians and the Moldavians were fighting on the Ottoman side? If so, what was your reply? Unfortunatelly, I have seen many times how my friends and collegues, confrunted with those remarks, at best could come up with Mircea the Elder, Vlad Tepes and Stephen the Great.

Did you know… during the siege of Wien in 1683, the Moldavian and Wallachian flags were bearing the cross symbol as to be recognised by the besieged. Shortly after the siege stared, the Sultan removes them from battle because… nothing was really happening when they were “fighting” the Austrians and the Poles. The Wallachian and Moldavian cannon balls were filled with straws as to not harm those inside. Also, in 1983, on the occasion of 300 years commemoration of the siege of Wien, in the Austrian capital there was erected a statue of Serban Cantacuzino in order to honor his memory. At the same time, there was build a chapel known as “The Moldavian Chappel” at the crossing between Arnsburggasse and Betty Roose Weg, in Wien. To what own those appreciation signs, I leave to you the pleasure of discovering.

About Constantin Cantacuzino, in brief:

Born in 1640, after the murder of his father, he is forced to seek refuge in Moldova. At the age of 15 he parts for study at Constantinopole and after 2 years he finishes his studies in Venice where in short time he becomes known as a man of great wisdom. Also, in Venice he begins his diplomatic career. In 1678, his brother, Serban Cantacuzino becomes ruler of Wallachia. Though he takes charge of organising the foreign affairs, Constantin Cantacuzino does not occupy any important position within his brothers’ cabinet, being kept at distance. The relations worsen after a series of actions taken by Serban inspite Constantin’s open policies. After the death of his brother, he supports his nephew Constantin Brancoveanu in obtaining the throne. Their relations will worsen as well, due to a series of rushed actions on behalf of Brancoveanu. Constantin Cantacuzino is little known to Romanians or even of bad rememberance because of his involvment in Brancoveanu’s removal that ended with his and his family’s execution. With the aid of the Ottomans, the next ruler becomes Stefan, Constantin Cantacuzino’s son but him as well will be removed and, together with Constantin will be charghed with conspiring with the Austrians and will be tortured and executed by the Ottomans in 1716.

The importance:

He was the first to organize and bring the diplomatic affairs of Wallachia at the level of Western chancelaries. He introduced in Wallachia the criptography as a mean of maintaining the secrecy of political correspondence. He was the first to make use in diplomacy of the unity of the 3 Romanian principalities. He initiated the diplomacy of counter-intelligence, being at that time one of the most agile diplomats in Europe. Through all his actions he remains a strong figure of Romanian medieval diplomacy.

At the time of his return in the country after the years spent in Venice, he already knew the conditions in which Transylvania, Wallachia and Moldavia were forced in accepting the suzeranity of the Ottoman Empire, yet being the only provinces under the influence of the Empire who maintained their authonomy (thus being the only provinces who appear separate from the Empire in most of the maps of that time).

Thus he will initiate relations through which he pursued the coordination of external policy of Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia having as final purpose the removing of any Ottoman influence. Also, in his work The history of Wallachia he will clearly state the unity of the 3 Principalities. During the siege of Wien he establishes political relations with the Austrians. Unlike his brother, Constantin Cantacuzino does aknowledge the danger the rise of the Austrians might pose for the Romanian Principalities and approaches the issue with prudence.When the Austrian troops enter Transylvania, he realises their true intentions and the connections he has made help him in establishing the objectives of the foreign policies of Austria and Poland towards these parts. After Constantin Brancoveanu takes the throne, he continues conducting the foreing policy in keeping a secret diplomatic correspondence with Western chancelaries in order to begin the Anti-Ottoman fight.

During the peace negotiations between the Ottomans and the Austrians, due to a well established network of spies he takes note of the growing misunderstandings between Poland and Austria mainly caused by the desire of both to rule the Principalities. Speculatind the misunderstandings he also begins a secret correspondence with Poland. Through the counter-intelligence service he will one by one incline the balance in favor of Poland, than Austria than Poland again, thus preventing them to reach an understanding and to occupy the Principalities. When this game will no longer function, he will for the first time initiate diplomatic relations between Bucharest and Moscow. There will be established a diplomatic carrier exchange service and also a permanent legation of Wallachia in Russia. He facilitated the secret diplomatic exchange of the Serbians and Bulgarians with Peter the Great. He also facilitated the transit of diplomats from Netherlands and England and of secret correspondence of western chancelaries through Wallachia.

He strongly believed not only in the freedom of Wallachia and of the rest of the Romanian principalities but also in the freedom of all European nations under Ottoman Empire rule. At the beginning of the XVIII-th century, in Bucharest was planned in secret a rise to arms of all Balkanic nations. During a secret conference, Cantacuzino supported the fight for freedom of “all Christians: Greeks, Serbians, Bulgarians, Moldavians, Transylvanians and of all our neighbours” (quote from the book “Diplomati Ilustri” taken from A.C. Stourdza – C. Brancoveanu Prince de Valachie. Son regne et son epoque).

He guided the foreign policy with the belief he had when returing from the studies he made in Venice: “Constantin Cantacuzino returns to the country with the desire to act for the regaining of political prestige that Wallachia once had”. (Constantin Serban in the chapter about Constantin Cantacuzino from the book – “Diplomati ilustri”).

Sources :

Collective authors – “Illustrious Diplomats“, Bucharest

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