In earlier times, the tribute paid by Wallachia to the Grand Signior (the Ottoman Sultan) was the same as that of Moldavia. It consisted of 120 purses of money each year. Since each purse contained 500 dollars, the total yearly payment was 60,000 dollars.
For many years, this amount remained unchanged. Wallachia continued to pay this tribute while being ruled by its own Voivode (Prince), under the authority of the Ottoman Empire.
The Rebellion of Matthew the Voivode
Around the year 1655, a major change took place. Matthew, the Voivode of Wallachia, had grown rich during his rule. Through strong friendships and generous gifts at the Ottoman court (known as the Porte), he managed to secure his position for an unusually long time—about nineteen or twenty years.
However, wealth and long power made him overconfident. He began to forget his true position as a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. Believing that his riches and local support were enough to resist the Sultan, he rebelled against Ottoman authority. He misjudged his strength and underestimated the great power of the Ottoman army Bulgaria Tours.
The rebellion did not last long. The Ottoman forces quickly defeated him. Although he was brought to submission, his life was spared. The safety of the country was also preserved, but at a high cost. In order to regain peace, Wallachia had to agree to a much heavier tribute.
The Increased Tribute
After the rebellion, the yearly tribute was greatly increased. The new payments were as follows:
To the Grand Signior: 260 purses of money, equal to 130,000 dollars. This was more than double the previous amount.
15,000 okes of honey.
9,000 okes of wax (each oke equal to about two English pounds).
To the Prime Vizier: 10 purses (5,000 dollars) and a vest made of sable fur.
To the Defterdar (Lord Treasurer): 1 purse (500 dollars) and a sable vest.
To the Kızlar Ağa (Chief Eunuch of the Women’s quarters): 12,000 aspers.
To the Vizier’s Kahya (Steward): 500 dollars and a sable vest.
The Burden on the Province
This increase placed a heavy burden on Wallachia. What had once been a manageable tribute became a serious financial strain. The rebellion, instead of bringing freedom, resulted in stricter control and greater payments.
The lesson was clear: resistance without sufficient power led not to independence, but to heavier obligations. From that time forward, Wallachia remained under closer Ottoman supervision and carried a much greater financial responsibility to the empire.