Stephen the Great’s battle flag featured Saint George slaying the dragon
© Alamy
In 1497 Prince Stephen ‘the Great’ of Moldavia’s most trusted ally turned against him. In the four decades he had ruled the Danubian principality, the Poles had steadfastly stood behind Stephen when he was assailed first by Catholic Hungarians, hoping to recover what they believed were their lands and then by the Muslim Ottoman Turks fanning out in the Balkans.