In 1353, Dragoș, mentioned as a Vlach Knyaz in Maramureș, is sent by Louis I of Hungary to establish a line of defense against the Golden Horde forces of Mongols on the Siret River.

This expedition results in a polity vassal to Hungary, centered around Baia (Târgul Moldovei or Moldvabánya).Bogdan of Cuhea, another Vlach voivode from Maramureş who has fallen out with the Hungarian king, crosses the Carpathians in 1359, takes control of Moldavia, and succeeds in removing Moldavia from Hungarian control.

His realm extends north to the Cheremosh River, while the southern part of Moldavia is still occupied by the Tatar Mongols.After first residing in Baia, Bogdan moves Moldavia's seat to Siret (it is to remain there until Petru Muşat moves it to Suceava; it is finally moved to Iași under Alexandru Lăpușneanu—in 1565).