BRANCOVAN or BRANCOVEANU, the name of a fam ily of Walachian hospodars which played an important part in the history of Rumania. It was of Serbian origin and was connected with the family of Branko or Brankovich. Constantine Branco van, the most eminent member of the family, was born in and became hospodar of Walachia in 1689. In consequence of his anti-Turkish policy of forming an alliance first with Austria and then with Russia, he was denounced to the Porte, deposed from his throne, brought under arrest to Constantinople and im prisoned (1710) in the fortress of Yedi Kuleh (Seven Towers). Here he was tortured by the Turks, who hoped thus to discover the fortune of £3,000,000, which Constantine was alleged to have amassed. He was beheaded with his four sons on Aug. 26, 1714.
See N. Jorga, Documents concernant le regne du prince Constantin Brxncoveanu (1901).