Prince of Moldavia Stefan Lupu

Stefan Lupu, nicknamed Papura-Voda, son of Vasile Lupu, was Prince of Moldavia

between 1569 and 1661, and again in 1661. Appointed by the Porte as a result of his father's efforts (during their in exile in Istanbul), Stefan took over the throne at the tender age of 16. His rule was twice overthrown by former Wallachian Prince Constantin Serban, who occupied Yashi and took over as Voivode. These harassments, coupled with Ottoman demands and Tatar raids, caused a deep crisis in Moldavia, worsened by an epidemic of what was thought to be the bubonic plague. The Prince ended his life due to an illness, while assisting Turks and Tatars in fortifying Budjak against Cossacks.