[Footnote 127: In the Bull they are called 'Imperatores totius Bulgariæ,' which Lauriani (p. 56) unfairly translates 'Die Kaiser von ganz Bulgarien und Romänien' (Emperors of all Bulgaria _and Roumania!_).] CHAPTER XI. FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE PRINCIPALITIES, BETWEEN THE MIDDLE OF THE THIRTEENTH AND OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURIES TO THE ACCESSION OF MICHAEL THE BRAVE, A.D. 1593. State of the country at, the close of the barbarian era--Foundation of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia--Traditions of Radu Negru and Bogdan Dragosch--Historical evidence--Description of the various rulerships in Wallachia in the thirteenth century--The clans Liteanu and Bassarab--Mircea the Old--His history--The First Capitulation (1393)--Character of Mircea--- Verses in his memory by Bolentineanu (1826-1872)--John Corvin von Hunniad, Prince of Transylvania--His history, character, and exploits--Vlad 'the Impaler'--His cruelties--Capitulates to the Turks (1460 A.D.)--Moldavia--Its founders--Obscurity of records--Stephen the Great--His history--His flight to Niamtz--Verses by Bolentineanu--Recommends his son to capitulate to the Turks--His character--Neagu Bassarab, founder of the Cathedral of Curtea d'Ardges--His peaceful reign and works--- Radul d'Affumati completes the cathedral--His death--Turkish encroachments--Michael the Brave. I. When the title of barbarian immigration was ebbing in the Danubian Principalities, it is natural to suppose that there must have remained a very mixed population; and that, owing to the necessity for defence against such ruthless invaders as we have described in our last chapter, the inhabitants would congregate in various places under their ablest leaders, and would fortify themselves in the best manner possible. This was indeed the case, but until recently the historians of Roumania have had little to guide them concerning the events of the period beyond traditions which, though very interesting, are now gradually giving place to recorded and authenticated facts.