Iliaàor Ilie I (20 July 1409 â 23 April 1448) was Prince (Voivode) of Moldavia twice: from January 1432 to October 1433 and with his brother Stephen II from August 1435 to May 1443.
The son of Prince Alexandru cel Bun and Ana NeacÃÂa, he was designated co-ruler and nominated successor by his father. In 1433, Iliaàpledged his vassalage to Wà Âadysà Âaw II Jagieà Âà Âo, Jagiellon King of Poland. He married Maria, a scion of the Olshanski family of Lithuanian nobility (granddaughter of Ivan Olshanski and sister of Wà Âadysà Âaw II's wife, Sophia of Halshany). Iliaàand Maria had at least two sons, Roman II and AlexÃÂndrel.
Iliaàfaced the rebellion of his brother Stephen and several boyars, who, helped by Prince Vlad II Dracul of neighboring Wallachia, managed to dethrone him. Iliaàenlisted the help of Wà Âadysà Âaw II, but he was defeated by the new prince and escaped to Poland. After Stephen pledged allegiance to the Poles, the latter imprisoned Iliaàuntil the ascension of Wà Âadysà Âaw III. In 1434, IliaÃÂ' Polish supporters facilitated his freedom and convinced the king to consider withdrawing his support for Stephen.
After an indecisive battle in 1435 (at Podraga or Podagra, the present-day village of Podriga in DrÃÂguÃÂeni), Wà Âadysà Âaw III intervened to appease the conflict and helped institute a shared rule of the two brothers over Moldavia (with Iliaàas nominal ruler and with Stephen as lord over the southeastern part of the countryâÂÂin Tecuci, Kilia, Vaslui, and CovurluiâÂÂalthough both shared residence in Suceava). In return, Iliaàagreed to pay an annual tribute to Poland (100 horses, 400 silk sheets, 400 oxen, 300 cartfuls of sturgeon) and to concede rule over Khotyn and Pokuttya.
A decrease in Poland's interest in the region led Stephen to rebel. Again deposed, IliaÃÂ was blinded (as custom prevented disabled people from ascending to the throne) and thrown in jail. He died there at an unknown time.
His wife Maria fled to Poland with her sons, where she took over rule over PokuttyaâÂÂdefending it against the armies of Stephen. Roman, Iliaàand Maria's son, remained ruler of the region, titling himself Prince of Moldavia and vassal to Wà Âadysà Âaw III; he was to be recognized as co-ruler by Stephen, and would eventually depose him. His other son was AlexÃÂndrel.