The Grand Treasurer Matei Ciorogârleanu, a descendant of an important family of merchants from Wallachia
The Grand Treasurer Matei Ciorogârleanu, a descendant of an important family of merchants from Wallachia

Summary/Abstract: After reaching a certain economical status, the wealthy merchants tried to reach a new social status by marriages with descendants of great boyars who were their business partners. This is why we cannot talk about “dynasties” of merchants in Wallachia who perform the activity along time in successive generations. Such merchants were the Pătru and Ghioca brothers, having probably Greek origins, the founders of the Ciorogârleanu boyar’s family. The patronage of Matthew Basarab, ruler of Wallachia, as well as his skills as merchants and some advantageous marriages permitted to Pătru Ciorogârleanu to become a grand boyar, as a member of the ruler Council and Grand sluger. His son, Matei, continued to walk the way of his father by buying estates, serves, houses, and gypsies. He married with Păuna, the sister of Cornea Brăiloiu, one of the most important boyars of Constantine Brâncoveanu. Later he became a member of the prince’s Council as Grand Treasurer. He was the member of Ciorogârleanu Family, who climbed higher the social hierarchy but, paradoxically, he also was the last link of this family, as long as he didn’t have descendants.

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