PDF generated using the open source mwlib toolkit. See http://code.pediapress.com/ for more information.PDF generated at: Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:37:40 UTC

SERBIAN STATES AFTERTHE DISSOLUTION OF THESERBIAN EMPIRE

ContentsArticles

Moravian Serbia 1Lazar of Serbia 4Stefan Lazarević 9District of Branković 12Vuk Branković 14Đurađ Branković 17Lazar Branković 21Stefan Branković 24Principality of Zeta 27Balša I of Zeta 35Đurađ I Balšić 36Balša II 39Đurađ II 40Balša III 46Stefan I Crnojević 47Ivan I Crnojević 49Đurađ Crnojević 51Kingdom of Prilep 52Prince Marko 54Despotate of Velbazhd 69Jovan Dragaš 70Constantine Dragaš 71Simeon Uroš 73John Uroš 75Thomas II Preljubović 76Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina 78Serbian Despotate 80

ReferencesArticle Sources and Contributors 86Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 88

Article LicensesLicense 90

Moravian Serbia 1

Moravian Serbia

Моравска СрбијаMoravian Serbia

← 1371–1403 →

Coat of arms

Moravian SerbiaCapital Kruševac

Language(s) Serbian

Religion Serbian Orthodox Church

Government Monarchy

Prince(кнез)

- 1371–1389 Lazar Hrebeljanović

- 1389-1403 Stefan Lazarević

History

- Established 1371

- Disestablished 1403

Currency Serbian perper

The Lordship of Serbia also Moravian Serbia (Serbian: Моравска Србија, Moravska Srbija) refers to one of theprovinces of the Serbian Empire that dissolved in 1371, following the death of child-less Emperor Uroš the Weak,which was ruled by prince Lazar Hrebeljanović who later fought and perished at the Battle of Kosovo.

Moravian Serbia 2

History

Lazar Hrebeljanović, prince of Moravian Serbia(1371-1389)

Lazar Hrebeljanović left Prizren in the early 1370s, and devotedhimself to the consolidation of his power in the northern Serbianregions around his court in Kruševac. Although a pledged vassal toStefan Uroš, in 1371 he refused to participate in the Battle ofMaritsa, at which the bulk of the imperial Serbian army wasdestroyed by an Ottoman force. Soon afterwards, Stefan Uroš died.He had been the last of the Nemanjić emperors. Through acombination of diplomacy, military action, and family alliances,Lazar emerged from the resulting power vacuum as the mostpowerful Serbian noble not in the Ottomans' service. He acquireddynastic legitimacy by marrying Milica Nemanjić, and despiteretaining only the minor title of knez ("prince"), he nevertheless usedthe imperial name of 'Stefan' as well as the designation "autocrator".

Lazar spent his time strengthening the Serbian state, knowing fullywell that he would eventually have to face the Ottoman threat. Hisrule unified most of Serbia under rule and he managed to gain theloyalty of most Serbs. He also ceded the title "King of Serbs" toKing Tvrtko of Bosnia (who in any case had more ties to theNemanjic's than King Lazar). His first major military action was atthe Battle of Dubravnica where his two subjects, Crep and Vladimir

managed to decisively defeat an Ottoman army in the south of Serbia. No further recorded hostilities took place untilthe Battle of Pločnik where Knez Lazar managed to crush an Ottoman force and drive them back to Niš. Serbiantroops also took part in the Battle of Bileća where again he defeated the Turks.

Lazar was killed during the 1389 Battle of Kosovo along with much of Serbia's political elite.[1] After his death, hisson Stefan Lazarević became a prince of Moravian Serbia in 1389. Immediately after the Battle of Kosovo, KingSigismund of Hungary attacked from the north and ravaged Serbia. Unable to fight on two fronts, King Stefanthwarted the Hungarians and agreed to Ottoman vassalage and participated as an Ottoman vassal in the Battle ofKaranovasa in 1394, the Battle of Rovine in 1395, the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, and in the Battle of Angora in1402. He became Despot of Serbia in 1402 and in 1403 proclaimed Belgrade the capital of his new state known asthe Serbian Despotate.

Fall of Serbian Empire Moravian Serbia, Despotate (1371–1540)

Principality of Zeta (1356–1402)

Kingdom of Prilep (1371–1395)

Despotate of Velbazhd (1371-1395)

Moravian Serbia 3

Rulers• Lazar Hrebeljanović (1371–1389)• Stefan Lazarević (1389–1402)

References[1] Bakhit, Mohammad Adnan (2000), History of Humanity-Scientific and Cultural Development: From the Seventh to the Sixteenth Century

(http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=ixCyd2lByggC& pg=PA230& dq=moravian+ serbia+ prince+ Lazar+ Hrebeljanovi�& hl=cs&ei=9hulTLyWH8yVswbw5MClCA& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=1& ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q& f=false),Unesco, p. 230. ISBN 9231028138

Lazar of Serbia 4

Lazar of Serbia

Lazar HrebeljanovićЛазар Хребељановић

Knez of Serbia

"Tsar Lazar"by Vladislav Titelbah

Reign ~1370–1389

Born 1329

Died June 28, 1389 (aged 60)

Place of death Kosovo Polje

Predecessor Stefan Uroš V of SerbiaEmperor of the Serbs and the Greeks

Successor Stefan Lazarević

Consort Princess Milica of Serbia

Offspring Stefan Lazarević

Royal House House of Lazarević

Father Pribac Hrebeljanović

Religious beliefs Serbian Orthodox

Stefan Lazar Hrebeljanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Стефан Лазар Хребељановић) (1329 – June 28 [O.S. June 15] 1389),also known as Tsar Lazar (Цар Лазар), was a medieval Serbian knez, ruler of Moravian Serbia, a part of the oncepowerful Serbian Empire under Dušan the Mighty. Lazar led Serbian army in the Battle of Kosovo against the armyof the Ottoman Empire. He perished in the battle together with most of the Serbian nobility and Ottoman SultanMurad I, which eventually led to the fall of Serbia as a sovereign state and started the Turkish conquest of Serbia.The events are regarded as highly important for Serb national consciousness and Lazar is venerated as a saint in theSerbian Orthodox Church and a hero in Serbian epic poetry.Lazar was the founder of the House of Lazarević. He was succeeded by his son Stefan Lazarević as a Knez, and laterDespot of Serbia.

Lazar of Serbia 5

LifeLazar was born 1329 in Prilepac (near Novo Brdo) to the imperial chancellor at the court of Tsar Dušan in Prizren,Pribac Hrebeljanović of Grbalj clan ancestry.[1]

Lazar was educated at the court where his father held a post of high importance. He married Milica of the Serbianhouse of Nemanjić in ~1353.[1] He was given the title of knez in 1371 by the sabor (state council) of Tsar StefanUroš V at Ipek.[2] Despite his imperial title, Uroš was a weak and ineffectual leader, allowing local nobles to gainpower and influence at the expense of the central authority.However, Lazar would have to face another menace to his power. After consolidating his authority in the HungarianKingdom and defeating the feudal lords, King Charles I of Hungary continued expanding his frontiers to the south,into the Serbian regions and forced Lazar's predecessor Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia to resign many regions tohim. The Hungarian King conquered the Golubac Fortress in 1334 and with this, he continued expanding hisinfluence in the Serbian regions.After the death of the Hungarian King, his son and successor Louis I of Hungary, continued his father's campaignsand soon included the Bosnian and Serbian territories in the Hungarian Crown. In 1366 the Kingdom of Bosniarecognised the Hungarian authority, but Louis had himself crowned as King of the Serbs and Bosnians.[3] Afterfacing the Hungarian King Louis I in several locations, the last military campaign of the Hungarian monarch wassuccessful and in 1367 Lazar recognised his authority over the Serbs.[4]

Map of the last years of Lazar's rule

However this wasn't an impediment to Lazar, and even if he paid taxesand conceded favours to the Hungarian monarch, he worked forkeeping stability in the Serbian power and for facing the imminentTurkish Ottoman invasion. In the early 1370s he left Prizren anddevoted himself to the consolidation of his power in the northernSerbian regions around his court in Kruševac. Although a pledgedvassal to Stefan Uroš V, in 1371 he refused to participate in the Battleof Maritsa, at which the bulk of the imperial Serbian army wasdestroyed by an Ottoman force. Soon afterwards, Stefan Uroš V died,the last of the Nemanjić emperors. With great diplomacy and militarypower, Lazar emerged from the resulting power vacuum as the mostpowerful Serbian noble not in the Ottomans' service. He acquireddynastic legitimacy by marrying Milica Nemanjić, and despiteretaining only the minor title of knez, he nevertheless used the imperialname of Stefan as well as the designation autocrator. At the same time,

he took no issue with Bosnian ban Tvrtko (whose Nemanjić lineage was in any case much stronger than Lazar's)proclaiming himself King Stefan of Serbia and Bosnia. In this way Lazar could retain the de facto power, whileceding only a ceremonial title to Tvrtko, who never managed to revive the old Nemanjić institutions of centralpower.

The first mention of any Ottoman movement into Lazar's territory is from a chronicle entry of 1381, when two ofLazar's subjects, Vitomir and Crep, defeated the Turks on the Battle of Dubravnica River near Paraćin. After thatthere is no record of any hostility between Lazar and the Turks until 1386. Lazar mobilised several other Serbiannobles, including Tvrtko, King of Bosnia, and in 1386 smashed Murad's general Timurtash at the Battle of Pločnik,forcing the Ottomans south to Niš. In 1388, many Serbian troops were present at the Battle of Bileća where thecombined Serbian-Bosnian forces heavily defeated the Turks.[5]

Lazar of Serbia 6

The battle of Kosovo by Adam Stefanović (1870)

Around 1380 Lazar founded the monastery of Ravanica andaround 1388 Ljubostinja. By 1387 he was raising a massiveforce to meet the invading forces of the Ottoman Empire,which would include every Serbian knight in his kingdom.The two large forces met in the 1389 battle of Kosovo.

Battle of Kosovo

Before the battle, Lazar rejected offers of vassalage andpeace and determined to fight to the last, not betraying thenation.[6]

He cursed the Serbs who did not help him against the Turkswith the so-called Kosovo curse, later inscribed in the Gazimestan, on the place he is supposed to have fallen, today amonument to the Serbs who fought the Turks in Kosovo.[6]

Aftermath and mythologyKosovo curse:

Inscription of the curse on theGazimestan monument

"Whoever is a Serb and of Serb birth,

And of Serb blood and heritage,

And comes not to the Battle of Kosovo,

May he never have the progeny his heart desires,

Neither son nor daughter!

May nothing grow that his hand sows,

Neither dark wine nor white wheat!

And let him be cursed from all ages to all ages!"

– Tsar Lazar curses those who are not taking up arms against the Ottoman Turks at theBattle of Kosovo.

Praise to Prince Lazar

Following Lazar's death, his widow Milica assumed control of Serbia.Lacking in military or economic strength, she pledged suzerainty toMurad I's successor, his son Bayezid, who had taken as his wife thedaughter of Lazar. Meanwhile, Milica turned to internal matters, whereshe dealt with her few remaining political opponents. It was herpropaganda campaign, via the epic poetry composed at her court, thatresulted in Lazar's quick resurrection, and the subsequent portrayal oftheir son-in-law Vuk Branković as the traitor responsible for theSerbian defeat.

In Serbian epic tradition, Lazar is said to have been visited by an angelof God on the night before battle, and offered a choice between anearthly or a heavenly kingdom, which choice would result in a peacefulcapitulation or bloody defeat, respectively, at the Battle of Kosovo.

"...the Prophet Elijah then appeared as a gray falcon toLazar, bearing a letter from the Mother of God that toldhim the choice was between holding an earthly kingdom

and entering the kingdom of heaven..." [7]

Lazar of Serbia 7

According to the epics, Lazar opted for the Heavenly kingdom, which will last "forever and ever",[8] but had toperish on the battlefield. “We die with Christ, to live forever”, he tolld his soldiers. That Kosovo’s declaration andtestament is regarded as s covenant which the Serb people made with God – and sealed with martyrs’ blood. Sincethen all Serbs faithful to that Testament regard themselves as the people of God, Christ’s New Testament nation,heavenly Serbia, part of God’s New Israel. This is why Serbs sometimes refer to themselves as the people of Heaven.Jefimija, former wife of Uglješa Mrnjavčević and afterwards nun from Ljubostinja monastery, embroidered Praise toPrince Lazar, one of most significat work of medieval Serbian literature.The Serbian Orthodox Church canonised Lazar as Saint Lazar. He is celebrated on June 28 [O.S. June 15]

(Vidovdan).[1] Several towns and villages (like Lazarevac), small Serbian Orthodox churches and missionsthroughout the world are named after him. His alleged remains are kept in Ravanica Monastery, where miraculouscures have been attributed to them.

Marriage and progeny

Milica

Lazar married Milica in around 1353 and issued at least seven children:1. Mara (died April 12, 1426), married Vuk Branković in around 13712. Stefan Lazarević (around 1377 - July 19, 1427), prince (1389–1402) and despot

(1402–1427)3. Vuk Lazarević, prince, executed on July 6, 14104. Mara or Dragana (died before July 1395), married Bulgarian tsar Ivan

Shishman in around 13865. Teodora (died before 1405), married Nikola II Gorjanski (who died in 1433),

son of Nikola I Gorjanski, ban of Mačva since 1387, ban of Croatia since 1394,and Hungarian Palatin since 1401

6. Jelena or Jela, died March 1443, married1. Đurađ Stracimirović, one of the Balšićs2. Sandalj Hranić[9] of Kosača family

7. Olivera Despina (1372 - after 1444), married Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I in 1390

Stefan Vuk

Lazar of Serbia 8

References[1] Lives of the Serbian Saints (http:/ / books. google. se/ books?id=VLJF4agQd4gC) C. P. Hankey 2008, ISBN 1443716219[2] A Short History of Russia and the Balkan States (http:/ / books. google. se/ books?id=5NyQEh8qFIQC) Donald Mackenzie Wallace, ISBN

0543933253[3] Szalay, J. y Baróti, L. (1896). A Magyar Nemzet Története. Budapest, Hungary: Udvari Könyvkereskedés Kiadó[4] Hóman, B. y Szekfű, Gy. (1935). Magyar Történet. Budapest, Hungary: Király Magyar Egyetemi Nyomda[5] Finkel, Caroline, Osman's Dream, (Basic Books, 2005), 20–21.[6] Kosovo: How myths and truths started a war (http:/ / books. google. se/ books?id=LbneixKK0GIC) Julie Mertus 1999, ISBN 0520218655[7] (http:/ / www. archaeology. org/ 9909/ etc/ insight. html)[8] "Perishable is earthly kingdom, but forever and ever is the Kingdom of Heaven!" - Serbian: "Земаљско је за малена царство, а Небеско

увијек и довијека!")[9] Sandalj Hranić (around 1370-March 15, 1435) was a nephew of Vlatko Vuković, the aforementioned participant of the Battle of Kosovo.

[Mrđenović (1987), p.108]

Further reading• Age, marriage and progeny information from The genealogy and coats of arms of Serbian dynasties and feudals

(Родословне таблице и грбови српских династија и властеле); editors Aleksa Ivić (1928), Dušan Spasić,Aleksandar Plavestra and Dušan Mrđenović (1987); Bata, Belgrade, ISBN 86-7685-007-0 (1928), ISBN86-7335-050-6 (1987). (Serbian)

• Croats and Serbs: Chapter V - History of the Serbs in the middle ages - The Dismemberment of Dusan’s empire(http:/ / www. magma. ca/ ~rendic/ chapter5. htm)

External links• Serbian Epic Poetry (http:/ / home. earthlink. net/ ~markdlew/ SerbEpic/ militsa. htm)

Stefan Lazarević 9

Stefan Lazarević

Stefan LazarevićDespot of Serbia

Fresco of Stefan Lazarević from Manasija monastery

Reign Knez (1389–1402)Despot (1402–1427)

Born 1374

Birthplace Kruševac

Died 1427

Place of death Glava

Buried Koporin Monastery

Predecessor Lazar of Serbia

Successor Đurađ Branković

Royal HouseHouse of Lazarević

Father Lazar of Serbia

Mother Princess Milica of Serbia

Stefan Lazarević (Serbian: Стефан Лазаревић) known also as Stevan the Tall (Стеван Високи, l. 1374 – 19 July1427) was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir toPrince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinatebranch of the Nemanjić dynasty. His sister, Princess Olivera Despina, married the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, hisbrother-in-law, with whom he sided in a number of battles. Despot Stefan was a poet and a moderniser. His reign andhis personal literary works are sometimes associated with early signs of the Renaissance in Serbian lands. Heintroduced knightly tournaments, modern battle tactics, and firearms to Serbia.[1]

Stefan Lazarević 10

Life

Despot Stefan Lazarević Memorial in thecourtyard of a church in Crkvine,

Mladenovac

Stefan was the son of Prince Lazar, whom he succeeded in 1389. Heparticipated as an Ottoman vassal in the Battle of Karanovasa in 1394, theBattle of Rovine in 1395, the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, and in the Battle ofAnkara in 1402. He became the Despot of Serbia in 1402 after the Ottomanstate temporarily collapsed following Timur's invasion of Anatolia with theBattle of Ankara, and in 1403 proclaimed Belgrade his capital. He built afortress with a citadel which was destroyed during the Great Turkish War in1690; only the Despot Stefan Tower remains today.[1]

Stefan II became an ally of the Kingdom of Hungary and a knight of a specialorder, so when the Hungarian king Sigismund renewed the Order of theDragon (Societas draconistrarum) in 1408, Despot Stefan Lazarević was thefirst on the list of members. In 1404, Sigismund gave Lazarević land in thepresent-day Vojvodina (and Pannonian part of present-day Belgrade),including Zemun (today part of Belgrade), Slankamen, Kupinik, Mitrovica,Bečej, and Veliki Bečkerek. In 1417, Apatin is also mentioned among hispossessions. Under his rule, he issued a Code of Mines in 1412 in Novo Brdo,

the economic center of Serbia. In his legacy, Resava-Manasija monastery (Pomoravlje District), he organized theResava School, a center for correcting, translating, and transcribing books.[1]

Stefan Lazarević died suddenly in 1427, leaving the throne to his nephew Đurađ Branković. His deeds eventuallyelevated him into sainthood, and the Serbian Orthodox Church honors him on August 1. Despot Stefan is buried inthe monastery Koporin which he had built in 1402., as he did the bigger and more famous Manasija monastery in1407.. In fact, Manasija was intended as his own burial place, but due to a sudden nature of his death in periloustimes it was his brother Vuk that is buried there.[1]

Apart from the biographical notes in charters and especially in the Code on The Mine Novo Brdo (1412)Stefan Lazarević wrote three original literary works:• The Grave Sobbing for prince Lazar (1389)• The Inscription on the Kosovo Marble Column (1404)• A Homage to Love (1409), a poetic epistle to his brother Vuk.[1]

MarriageIn 1405, Stefan married Helena Gattilusio. She was a daughter of Francesco II of Lesbos and Valentina Doria. Theyhad no known children.[1]

Gallery

Stefan LazarevićDespotate in 1422

DespotStefan

Lazarević'sSeal, 1415

AD

Lazarevićdynastycoat ofarms

Monumentin

Despotovac

StefanLazarevićtomb in

Manasijamonastery

Stefan Lazarević 11

References[1] Fine, The Late Medieval Balkans (1987)

External links• Despot Stefan Lazarević, a fresco from the monastery of Manasija from the year 1418 (http:/ / www. suc. org/

culture/ history/ Hist_Serb_Culture/ chd/ html/ Stephen_Lazarevic. html)• His listing in "Medieval lands" by Charles Cawley. (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA.

htm#StefanLazarevicdied1427) The project "involves extracting and analysing detailed information from primarysources, including contemporary chronicles, cartularies, necrologies and testaments."

Further Lecture• Constantine the Philosopher wrote a biography to Stefan in ~1431. Constantine was a Bulgarian scholar who

following his arrival in Serbia in 1411, made a career for himself at Stefan's court.• Fine, John V.A. The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Twelfth Century to the Ottoman

Conquest. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1987.

District of Branković 12

District of Branković

Област БранковићаDistrict of Branković

← 1371–1412 →

Coat of arms

Realm of BrankovicCapital Priština

Language(s) Serbian

Religion Serbian Orthodox Church

Government Monarchy

Prince(кнез)

- 1371–1396 Vuk Branković

- 1396-1412 Đurađ Branković

History

- Disssolution of the Serbian Empire 1371

- Peace between Stefan and Đurađ 1412

Currency Serbian perper

The District of Branković (Serbian: Област Бранковића, Oblast Brankovića) or Vuk's land (Serbian: Вукова земља, Vukova zemlja) was one of the short lived semi-independent states that emerged from the collapse of the Serbian Empire in 1371, following the death of the last Emperor Uroš the Weak (1346-1371). Founder and only ruler of this realm was Vuk Branković, the son of sebastokrator Branko Mladenović who governed Ohrid under Dušan

District of Branković 13

the Mighty (1331-1346).Through Vuk's marriage with the Mara, the daughter of Tsar Lazar, he is given substantial lands to govern inKosovo.The Realm of Branković was located in the largest part of today's Kosovo. Vuk got areas of Raška (including the oldSerbian capital Ras) and lands in Polimlje in present day northern Montenegro. After the death of Đurađ I Balšić,Vuk captured his cities of Prizren and Peć and the area of Metohija[1] . The most important cities in Vuk's Realmwere Priština, Prizren, Peć, Skopje and Ras, as well as the rich mining settlements of Trepča, Janjevo, Gluhavica andothers.[2]

Reference[1] John VA Fine, The Late Mediaeval Balkans,p.389 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&

printsec=frontcover#v=onepage& q=& f=false,)[2] M. Ćirković, Vuk Tošić, The Serbs,Wiley-Blackwell, 2004,p.79 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=Ki1icLbr_QQC&

printsec=frontcover& source=gbs_similarbooks_s& cad=1#v=onepage& q=& f=false,Sima)

Vuk Branković 14

Vuk Branković

Vuk BrankovićGospodin (lord)

Coat of arms

Reign 1378-1389

Born 1345[1]

Birthplace Kosovo

Died October 6, 1398

Place of death Kosovo

Successor Đurađ Branković

Consort Marija Lazarević

Offspring Đurađ Branković

Royal House Brankovići

Father Branko Mladenović

Religious beliefs Serbian Orthodox Christian

Realm of Vuk Branković in the 14th century

Vuk Branković (Serbian: Вук Бранковић) (born 1345- died October 6, 1398) was a Serbian medievalnobleman who created semi independent feudal state inpresent day south and southwestern Serbia (includingKosovo and Metohija), the northern part of present dayMacedonia and northern Montenegro. His fief (andlater state) was known as Oblast Brankovića (Districtof Branković) or simply as Vukova zemlja (Vuk's land)which he held with the title of gospodin (lord, sir),under Prince Lazar of Serbia. After the Battle ofKosovo Vuk was briefly de facto most powerfulSerbian lord.

Vuk Branković 15

States in the Central Balkans (including Realm of Vuk Branković) in1373-1395

History

Origins

Vuk Branković belonged to a noble Serbian familywhich held a prominent role in 13th and 14th centurySerbia under the house of Nemanjić. Vuk was a son ofBranko Mladenović (died before 1365), who receivedthe high court title of sebastokrator from EmperorStefan Dušan (1331-1355) and served as governor ofOhrid (present day Macedonia). Vuk's grandfather wasMladen (died after 1326), who was župan (count) inTrebinje under king Milutin (1282-1321) and vojvoda(duke) under king Stefan Dečanski (1321-1331). Laterchronicles derived origin of Branković family fromVukan Nemanjić, son of the founder of Nemanjićdynasty Stefan Nemanja, however this can't be takenwith certainty.

Expansion

After their father's death, Vuk and his brothers Grgur and Radonja Nikola were forced by the usurper king Vukašinto leave their land in western Macedonia (Ohrid), and they retreated to their ancestral lands in Drenica in the area ofpresent day Kosovo. From there Vuk, who only held the humble title of gospodin (lord, sir), started to expand hisrealm and to create his own state. He took advantage of the death of king Vukašin Mrnjavčević in the Battle ofMaritsa (1371) and occupied his lands in the southern part of Kosovo and northern Macedonia with the city ofSkopje. The turning point of Vuk's ascension to power in post-Nemanjić Serbia was his marriage with Mara,daughter of the most powerful Serbian nobleman prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, which brought him substantial lands inKosovo and the city of Zvečan as dowry. This marriage sealed the alliance between two houses and secured Lazar'sassistance for Vuk's future plans, although Vuk in return had to acknowledge Lazar as his feuadal senior. Soon afterthe marriage, Lazar, Vuk and king Tvrtko I of Bosnia attacked župan Nikola Altomanovic, who ruled in the westernpart of Serbia, and conquered and divided his lands in 1373. In the partition of Altomanović's land, Vuk got areas ofRaška (including the old Serbian capital Ras) and lands in Polimlje in present day northern Montenegro. Theformation of the Realm of Branković was finished in 1378. After the death of Djuradj I Balšić, Vuk captured hiscities of Prizren and Peć and the area of Metohija[2] . At its peak, the realm of Branković stretched from Sjenica inthe west to Skopje in the east, with the cities of Priština and Vučitrn serving as its capitals. The most important citiesin Vuk's Realm were Priština, Prizren, Peć, Skopje and Ras, as well as the rich mining settlements of Trepča,Janjevo, Gluhavica and others.[3]

Battle of KosovoAfter the Battle of Maritza, Ottomans forced the southern Serbian feudal lords (in present-day Macedonia and Greece), Konstantin Dragaš, king Marko, Toma Preljubović and others, to become their vassals, and started to attack the northern Serbian lands ruled by prince Lazar and Vuk. After initial Serbian successes at the battles of Dubravnica (1381), Pločnik (1386) and Bileća (1388), the Ottomans launched a full-scale attack on Serbia aiming at the very heartland of Vuk's realm in central Kosovo. In the epic Battle of Kosovo (1389), which ended with a strategic Serbian defeat, Vuk participated along with his father-in-law Lazar and a contingent of King Tvrtko's army. Unlike

Vuk Branković 16

Lazar, who died in the battle along with most of his army, Vuk managed to survive and preserve his army, whichlater gave material for a popular Serbian folk tradition (represented in folk epic poems and tales) that he betrayedLazar in order to become supreme ruler of Serbia, a theory that is rejected by modern day Serbian historians.[4]

Kosovo Field with probable disposition of troopsbefore the battle

Last Years

After the Battle of Kosovo, Vuk refused to become an Ottomanvassal (unlike prince Stefan Lazarević, son of prince Lazar, whobecame an Ottoman vassal in late 1389), and started to plananti-Ottoman action together with the Hungarian king Sigismund.However, Vuk was unable to resist the Ottomans for long. In1392, they captured Skopje and forced Vuk to become their vassaland pay tribute. Even after that Vuk showed some resistance toOttomans, refusing to participate on the Ottoman side in the battlesof Rovine (1395) and Nicopolis (1396), unlike other Serbian lordssuch as prince Stefan, king Marko and Konstantin Dejanović. He

also maintained contacts with Hungary. Finally the Ottomans ended this situation by attacking Vuk in 1395-1396,seizing his land and giving most of it to prince Stefan Lazarević, while Vuk himself was imprisoned and died in anOttoman prison. A small part of Vuk's land with the towns of Priština and Vučitrn were given to his sons to hold it asOttoman vassals.[5]

FamilyHe married Mara, the daughter of Lazar Hrebeljanovic and Milica Nemanjić in 1371, she died on April 12, 1426.They had three sons:• Grgur Branković, died 13 march 1408.• Despot Djuradj Branković, died 24 december 1456.• Lazar Branković, died 12 july 1410.

In epic poetry and popular cultureFolk tradition portraits Vuk as a traitor: supposedly, Vuk tarnished the family name when he betrayed Prince Lazarat the Battle of Kosovo, which he survived in 1389. This tradition may be apocryphal.[6]

References[1] M.Spremic, Vuk Brankovic i Kosovska bitka, u : Glas CCCLXXVIII Srpske Akademije Nauka i Umetnosti , 85[2] John VA Fine, The Late Mediaeval Balkans,p.389 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&

printsec=frontcover#v=onepage& q=& f=false,)[3] M. Ćirković, Vuk Tošić, The Serbs,Wiley-Blackwell, 2004,p.79 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=Ki1icLbr_QQC&

printsec=frontcover& source=gbs_similarbooks_s& cad=1#v=onepage& q=& f=false,Sima)[4] M. Ćirković, Vuk Tošić, The Serbs,Wiley-Blackwell, 2004,p.83-85 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=Ki1icLbr_QQC&

printsec=frontcover& source=gbs_similarbooks_s& cad=1#v=onepage& q=& f=false,Sima)[5] John VA Fine, The Late Mediaeval Balkans,p.409-415 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&

printsec=frontcover#v=onepage& q=& f=false,).[6] ISBN 86-447-0006-5: Dušan Bataković: The Kosovo Chronicles (http:/ / www. rastko. org. rs/ kosovo/ istorija/ kosovo_chronicles/ index.

html): Part One: History and Ideology (http:/ / www. rastko. org. rs/ kosovo/ istorija/ kosovo_chronicles/ kc_part1b. html)

Đurađ Branković 17

Đurađ Branković

Đurađ BrankovićDespot

Đurađ Branković, from one of the coins he struck

Born 1377

Died 24 December 1456

Predecessor Stefan Lazarević

Successor Lazar Branković

Consort Eirene Kantakouzene

Royal House House of Branković

Father Vuk Branković

Mother Mara

Đurađ Branković (Serbian Cyrillic: Ђурађ Бранковић; Hungarian: Brankovics György) (1377 – 24 December1456), also known under the patronymic (Đurađ) Vuković and frequently called George Branković inEnglish-language sources, was a Serbian despot from 1427 to 1456 and a baron of the Kingdom of Hungary. He wasthe first of the House of Branković to hold the Serbian monarchy.

FamilyHis father was Vuk Branković and his mother was Mara, daughter of Knez Lazar Hrebeljanović, popularly known asTsar Lazar. His wife was a Byzantine princess, Eirene Kantakouzene, a granddaughter of Emperor John VIKantakouzenos.

ReignDuring his reign the Serbian capital was moved to Smederevo (near Belgrade) after the Second Battle of Kosovo.After he was appointed as a successor for his uncle, Despot Stefan Lazarević, Branković's rule was marked by newconflicts and the fall of Kosovo and Metohia to the Ottoman Empire. Branković allied himself with the Kingdom ofHungary. In 1439 the Ottomans captured Smederevo, the Branković's capital. The prince fled to the Kingdom ofHungary where he had large estates, which included Zemun, Slankamen, Kupinik, Mitrovica, Stari Bečej, Kulpin,Čurug, Sveti Petar, Perlek, Peser, Petrovo Selo, Bečej, Arač, Veliki Bečkerek, Vršac, etc.

Đurađ Branković 18

Smederevo Fortress built by Đurađ Branković in 1430

Crusade of Varna

Following the conflicts that concluded 1443, Brankovićhad a significant role in facilitating the Peace of Szeged(1444) between Kingdom of Hungary and theOttomans. Murad II, who also desired peace, wasmarried to Branković's daughter Mara[1] . On March 6,1444, Mara sent an envoy to Branković; theirdiscussion started the peace negotiations with theOttoman Empire[2] . This peace restored his Serbianrule, but Branković was forced to bribe John Hunyadi

with his vast estates. On 22 August 1444 the prince peacefully took possession the evacuated town of Smederevo.

The peace was broken in the same year by Hunyadi and king Władysław during the Crusade of Varna, whichculminated in the Battle of Varna. Because of this he estranged from his Hungarian allies. A crusading army led byRegent John Hunyadi of Hungary was defeated by Sultan Murad II's forces at Kosovo Polje in 1448. This was thelast concerted attempt in the Middle Ages to expel the Ottomans from southeastern Europe. Although Hungary wasable to successfully defy the Ottomans despite the defeat at Kosovo Polje during Hunyadi's lifetime, the kingdom fellto the Ottomans in the 16th century. Branković also captured Hunyadi at Smederevo for a short time when he wasgoing home from Kosovo in 1448.

Return and DeathFollowing Hunyadi's victory over the Mehmet II at the Siege of Belgrade on 14 July 1456, a period of relative peacebegan in the region. The sultan retreated to Adrianople, and Branković regained posession of Serbia. Before the endof the year, however, the 91-year old Branković died. Serbian independence survived him for only another year,when the Ottoman empire formally annexed his lands following dissention among his widow and three remainingsons. Lazar, the youngest, poisoned his mother and exiled his brothers, and the land returned to the sultan'ssubjugation[3] .

ExchequerBranković was deemed by contemporaries as the richest monarch in all of Europe; the French knight Bertrand de laBroquierre stated the despot's annual income from the gold and silver mines of Novo Brdo (near Gnjilane in Kosovo)amassed to about 200,000 Venetian ducats. Among other of the Despot's sources of income, there are his possessionsin the Kingdom of Hungary, for which expenses were covered by the Hungarian crown. The annual income fromthem alone was estimated to 50,000 ducats.

Đurađ Branković 19

Marriage and children

Coat of Arms of the House of Branković

Đurađ and Eirene Kantakouzene had at least six children [4] :• Todor Branković (d. before 1429). Not mentioned in the Masarelli

manuscrpipt, probably died early• Grgur (Gregory) Branković (c. 1415 - October 16/October 17,

1459). Mentioned first in the Masarelli manuscript. Father of VukGrgurević, also blinded with Stefan in 1441.

• Mara Branković (c. 1416 - September 14, 1487). Mentioned secondin the Masarelli manuscript. Married Murad II of the OttomanEmpire.

• Stefan Branković (c. 1417 - 1476). Mentioned third in the Masarellimanuscript. Blinded with hot irons in 1441[1] . Claimed the throneof Serbia following the death of his younger brother Lazar.

• Catherine Cantacuzena (c. 1418 - 1490). Married Ulrich II of Celje.Mentioned fourth in the Masarelli manuscript.

• Lazar Branković (c. 1421/27 - January 20/June 20, 1458). Mentioned fifth and last in the Masarelli manuscript.

Gallery

War in Serbian Despotate (Zeta)Duchy of Stephen Vukcic Kosaca

annexed to the Upper ZetaPodgorica and square fortressMedun. Conquered the city ofBar, with the fortress (now Old

Bar) in Lower Zeta.

Properties 1441styear (after winning

with. S.V. Kosaca inZeta). Properties: 1 S.

V. Kosaca; 2ndĐurađ Brankovic, 3rd

Venice; 4thDubrovnik.

Venetian property,and invasion of theSerbian Despotate

(Djuradj Brankovic).

Attempt to capture thetown of Bar, 1448.

References[1] Florescu, Radu R.; Raymond McNally (1989). Dracula, Prince of Many Faces: His Life and His Times. Boston: Little, Brown & Co..[2] Imber, Colin (July 2006). "Introduction" (http:/ / www. ashgate. com/ subject_area/ downloads/ sample_chapters/ Crusade_of_Varna_Intro.

pdf) (PDF). The Crusade of Varna, 1443-45. Ashgate Publishing. pp. 9–31. ISBN 0-7546-0144-7. . Retrieved 2007-04-19.[3] Miller, William (1896). The Balkans: Roumania, Bulgaria, Servia, and Montenegro (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=J98DAAAAYAAJ). London: G.P. Putnam's Sons. . Retrieved 2011-02-08.[4] Profile of Đurađ in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA. htm#DjuradjVukovicdied1456)

• Ćorović, Vladimir (1997). Istorija srpskog naroda (http:/ / www. rastko. org. rs/ rastko-bl/ istorija/ corovic/istorija/ index. html) (Period IV, Chapter 5)

Đurađ Branković 20

External links• Order of Despot Đurađ Branković (http:/ / www. culture. gr/ 2/ 21/ 218/ 218do/ e218do2. html) to St. Paul's

Monastery, Mount Athos• Despot Đurađ's Heritage, Smederevo (http:/ / www. serbianunity. net/ culture/ history/ Serb_History/ Rulers/

Djuradj-smed. html)• The Esphigmen Charter of Despot Đurađ Branković (http:/ / www. rastko. org. rs/ isk/ images/

esphigmen_charter. html) issued to the monastery of Esphigmen on Mount Athos in 1429

Lazar Branković 21

Lazar Branković

Lazar II BrankovićDespot

Lazar Branković from a charter held in Esphigmenou Monastery, Mount Athos

Reign 1456-1458

Birthplace Serbia

Died 20 January 1458

Predecessor Đurađ Branković

Successor Stefan Branković

Consort to Helena Palaiologina

Royal House House of Branković

Father Đurađ Branković

Mother Eirene Kantakouzene

Children Marija, Milica, Jerina

Religious beliefs Eastern Orthodoxy

Lazar II Branković (c. 1421 – 20 January 1458) was a Serbian despot, prince of Rascia from 1456 to 1458. He wasthe third son of Đurađ Branković and his wife Jerina Kantacusina. He was succeeded by his elder brother, despotStefan III Brankovic.

FamilyLazar and his relations are named in "Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani", a manuscript held in the VaticanLibrary. The document is also known as the "Massarelli manuscript" because it was found in the papers of AngeloMassarelli (1510–1566).[1] Masarelli is better known as the general secretary of the Council of Trent, who recordedthe daily occurrings of the council.[2]

The Massarelli manuscript names him as a son of Đurađ Branković and Eirene Kantakouzene. "The Byzantine Lady:Ten Portraits 1250-1500" (1994) by D. M. Nicol questioned his maternity, suggesting Đurađ had a prior marriage toa daughter of John IV of Trebizond. However his theory presented no sources and failed to take into account thatJohn IV was born between 1395 and 1417. He would be unlikely to be a grandparent by the 1410s.[3]

On 11 September 1429, Durad made a donation to Esphigmenou Monastery at Mount Athos. The charter for thedocument names his wife Irene and five children. The Masarelli manuscript also names the same five children ofĐurađ and Eirene. Other genealogies mention a sixth child, Todor Branković. He could be a child who died youngand thus not listed with his siblings.[3]

Lazar Branković 22

The oldest sibling listed in the Massarelli document was Grgur Branković. The 1429 document mentions him withthe title of Despot. According to "The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century tothe Ottoman Conquest" (1994) by J. V. A. Fine, Grgur was appointed governor of territories of southern Serbiaassociated to the House of Branković. He was reportedly appointed by Murad II of the Ottoman Empire in 1439. InApril 1441, Grgur was accused of plotting against Murad and his governorship terminated. He was imprisoned inAmasya and blinded on 8 May 1441.[4] According to "Monumenta Serbica Spectantia Historiam Serbiae, Bosniae,Ragusii" (1858) by Franc Miklošič, Grgur and his brothers co-signed a charter by which Durad confirmed theprivileges of the Republic of Ragusa. The charted was dated to 17 September 1445.[5] According to the "EuropäischeStammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten" (1978) by Detlev Schwennicke, Grgur retiredto a monastery under the monastic name "German".[6] According to Fine, Grgur resurfaced in 1458, claiming thesuccession of the vacant throne of Rascia for himself or his son.[7] The Massarelli manuscript mentioned Grgur asunwed. Later genealogies name his wife as "Jelisaveta". Vuk Grgurević, a son of Grgur, was later a titular Serbiandespot (1471–1485). He was possibly an illegitimate.[3]

The Massarelli manuscript next names an older sister of Lazar, Mara Branković. She was one of the wives of MuradII.[8] Then are listed Stefan Branković and "Cantacuzina", a sister with the Latinized version of their mother's lastname. Later genealogies give her name as Katarina. She married Ulrich II of Celje. Lazar is listed fifth and last, theyoungest child of the marriage [3]

ReignBoth Grgur and Stefan, his older brothers, were blinded by orders of Murad II in 1441. Lazar apparently became theheir to their father as the only son not to be handicapped. Đurađ died on 24 December 1456. Lazar succeeded him asplanned.[3]

According to Fine, his brief reign mostly included family quarrels with his mother and siblings. In 1457, Lazar gavean oath of subservience to Mehmed II, son and successor of Murad II. Fine considers this to be an attempt to preventan Ottoman invasion. His only other decision of consequence was to appoint Mihailo Anđelović, a member of theAngelos family, as his chief official. Mihailo would briefly serve as head of a regency council following the death ofhis lord.[3]

Lazar died on 20 January 1458. George Sphrantzes recorded the date but not the cause.[3]

Marriage and childrenIn 1446, Lazar married Helena Palaiologina of Morea. She was a daughter of Thomas Palaiologos, Ruler of Morea,and Catherine Zaccaria of the Principality of Achaea. [9] Her maternal grandparents were Centurione II Zaccaria andCreusa Tocco.[10] They would have three daughters[11] :• Helen (Mary), wife of King Stephen Tomašević of Bosnia.• Milica Branković, wife of Leonardo III Tocco, Ruler of Epirus.• Jerina Branković, wife of John Kastrioti, the son of Skanderbeg and Andronike Arianiti.

Lazar Branković 23

References[1] Tony Hoskins, "Anglocentric medieval genealogy" (http:/ / newsgroups. derkeiler. com/ Archive/ Soc/ soc. genealogy. medieval/ 2008-03/

msg00384. html)[2] "The Archives: the past & the present", section "The Council of Trent" (http:/ / asv. vatican. va/ en/ arch/ council. htm)[3] Profile of Đurađ and his children in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA.

htm#DjuradjVukovicdied1456)[4] J. V. A. Fine, "The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest" (1994), page 531[5] Franc Miklošič, "Monumenta Serbica Spectantia Historiam Serbiae, Bosniae, Ragusii" (1858), CCCL, page 433[6] Detlev Schwennicke, "Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten" (1878), vol. 3, page 180[7] J. V. A. Fine, "The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest" (1994), page 574[8] Profile of Mara in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA. htm#Maradied1487)[9] Profile of Helena in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ BYZANTIUM 12611453.

htm#HelenePdied1473)[10] Profile of Thomas in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ BYZANTIUM 12611453.

htm#ThomasPdied1465)[11] Profile of Lazar and his children in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA.

htm#LazarBrankovicdied1458)

Stefan Branković 24

Stefan Branković

Stefan III BrankovićSerbian Despot

Stefan Branković from the Esphigmenou charter (1429)

Reign January 19, 1458 - March 21, 1459

Serbian Стефан Бранковић

Born c. 1417

Birthplace Belgrade

Died October 9, 1476

Place of death Belgrade Castle near Udine

Buried Kupinovo

Predecessor Lazar Branković

Successor Stephen Tomašević

Consort Anđelina Komnena

Offspring Đorđe BrankovićJovan Branković

Royal House House of Branković

Father Đurađ Branković

Mother Eirene Kantakouzene

Religious beliefs Serbian Orthodox

Stefan III Branković (Serbian Cyrillic: Стефан Бранковић; c. 1417 – 9 October 1476) was briefly the despot(ruler) of the Serbian Despotate between 1458 and 1459, member of the House of Branković. He is venerated as asaint by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Stefan Branković 25

The Coat-of-Arms of Stefan Brankovic

Family

Stefan and his relations are named in "Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani", amanuscript held in the Vatican Library. The document is also known as the"Massarelli manuscript" because it was found in the papers of AngeloMassarelli (1510–1566).[1] Masarelli is better known as the general secretaryof the Council of Trent, who recorded the daily occurrings of the council.[2]

The Massarelli manuscript names him as a son of Đurađ Branković andEirene Kantakouzene. "The Byzantine Lady: Ten Portraits 1250-1500" (1994)by D. M. Nicol questioned his maternity, suggesting Đurađ had a priormarriage to a daughter of John IV of Trebizond. However his theorypresented no sources and failed to take into account that John IV was bornbetween 1395 and 1417. He would be unlikely to be a grandparent by the1410s.[3]

On 11 September 1429, Đurađ made a donation to Esphigmenou Monasteryat Mount Athos. The charter for the document names his wife Irene and five children. The Masarelli manuscript alsonames the same five children of Đurađ and Eirene. Other genealogies mention a sixth child, Todor Branković. Hecould be a child who died young and thus not listed with his siblings.[3] The oldest sibling listed in the Massarellidocument was Grgur Branković. The 1429 document mentions him with the title of Despot. According to "The LateMedieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest" (1994) by J. V. A.Fine, Grgur was appointed governor of territories of southern Serbia associated to the House of Branković. He wasreportedly appointed by Murad II of the Ottoman Empire in 1439. In April 1441, Grgur was accused of plottingagainst Murad and his governorship terminated. He was imprisoned in Amasya and blinded on 8 May 1441.[4]

According to "Monumenta Serbica Spectantia Historiam Serbiae, Bosniae, Ragusii" (1858) by Franc Miklošič, Grgurand his brothers co-signed a charter by which Đurađ confirmed the privileges to the Republic of Ragusa. The charterwas dated to 17 September 1445.[5] According to the "Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte derEuropäischen Staaten" (1978) by Detlev Schwennicke, Grgur retired to a monastery under the monastic name"German".[6] According to Fine, Grgur resurfaced in 1458, claiming the succession of the vacant throne of Rascia forhimself or his son.[7] The Massarelli manuscript mentioned Grgur as unwed. Later genealogies name his wife as"Jelisaveta". Vuk Grgurević, a son of Grgur, was later a titular Serbian despot (1471–1485). He was possibly anillegitimate.[3]

The Massarelli next names an older sister of Stefan, Mara Branković. She was one of the wives of Murad II.[8]

Stefan himself is listed third. His younger sister is listed as Cantacuzina, the Latinized version of their mother's lastname. Later genealogies give her name as Katarina. She married Ulrich II of Celje. The last and youngest siblinglisted was Lazar Branković, successor to their father.[3]

Stefan Branković 26

ReignAccording to Nicol, Stefan had become a citizen of the Republic of Venice. He was blinded alongside his brotherGrgur in 1441.[3] Both blind brothers seem to have been omitted from considerations as possible heirs to their father.They could only claim the throne in 1458, since the death of Lazar left them the only male representatives of theBranković.According to Fine, Stefan secured the throne by co-operating with his sister-in-law Helena Palaiologina, widow ofLazar. She was a daughter of Thomas Palaiologos, Ruler of Morea, and Catherine Zaccaria of the Principality ofAchaea. Helena however arranged the marriage of one of her daughters to Stjepan Tomašević, prince of Bosnia. Shethus managed to secure the throne for her new son-in-law.[9] Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and Stjepan TomašKotromanić, King of Bosnia and father of Tomašević, dethroned Stefan on April 8, 1459. They crowned StjepanTomašević as his replacement.When Serbia had been lost to Ottomans, Stefan's son Jovan led Serbian refugees in southern Hungary. There Jovanwas finally recognized as Serbian Despot, with a principality called Raitzen.

Marriage and childrenIn 1461, Stefan married Angjelina Arianit Komneni, daughter of Albanian voivode of Shkodër and Durrës, GjergjArianit Komneni.[10] They had four or five children:[9]

• Jovan (d. 10 December 1502). Mentioned first in the Massarelli manuscript. Titular despot of the area of Raitzen,Kingdom of Hungary. Married Jelena Jaksić. She is mentioned as “Helena, Serbiæ despotissa” in a charted datedto 1502.

• Đorđe (d. 18 January 1516). Mentioned second in the Massarelli manuscript. Titular despot of the area of Raitzen,Kingdom of Hungary. Married Isabella del Balzo, daughter of Agilberto, Duke of Nardò. Later retired as a monkunder the monastic name "Maxim". Resurfaced as Metropolitan of Ungro-Wallachia from 1508 to 1521. He alsoheld the title of Archbishop of Belgrade.

• Irene. Mentioned third in the Massarelli manuscript. Considered to have died young.• Marija Branković (d. 27 August 1495). Mentioned fourth and last in the Massarelli manuscript. Married Boniface

III, Marquess of Montferrat (1424–1494, reign 1483–1494).• Milica Branković (d. 30 January 1554). Not listed in the Massarelli manuscript, only later genealogies. Married

Neagoe Basarab, Prince of Wallachia.

References[1] Tony Hoskins, "Anglocentric medieval genealogy" (http:/ / newsgroups. derkeiler. com/ Archive/ Soc/ soc. genealogy. medieval/ 2008-03/

msg00384. html)[2] "The Archives: the past & the present", section "The Council of Trent" (http:/ / asv. vatican. va/ en/ arch/ council. htm)[3] Profile of Đurađ and his children in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA.

htm#DjuradjVukovicdied1456)[4] J. V. A. Fine, "The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest" (1994), page 531[5] Franc Miklošič, "Monumenta Serbica Spectantia Historiam Serbiae, Bosniae, Ragusii" (1858), CCCL, page 433[6] Detlev Schwennicke, "Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten" (1878), vol. 3, page 180[7] J. V. A. Fine, "The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest" (1994), page 574[8] Profile of Mara in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA. htm#Maradied1487)[9] Profile of Stefan and his children in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA.

htm#Stefandied1476)[10] Profile of the Araniti family in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ ALBANIA.

htm#_Toc157144110)

Principality of Zeta 27

Principality of Zeta

ЗетаZeta

Appanage of Serbian Kingdom (1186-1345)

Serbian Empire (1345-1362)

Confederation of Serbia

Administrative Unit of Serbia

← 1186–1402 →

Coat of arms

Lordship of Zeta Capital Scodra

Historical era Medieval

- Autonomy(Dissolution of Serbian Empire)

1186

- Serbian Despotate 1402

Zeta (Serbian: Зета) was a Province of Medieval Serbia, whose territory encompassed parts of present-dayMontenegro and Northernwestern Albania. The region and province is named after the Zeta River.Zeta was first noted, with it's name, as an administrative unit of the Principality and Kingdom of Serbia (Rascia), ruled by heirs to the Serbian throne from the Nemanjić dynasty. When the principal heir became Grand Župan of

Principality of Zeta 28

Rascia or King of Serbs, the appanage would be granted to second in line.During Emperor Stefan Dušan Uroš IV Nemanjić the Mighty (r. 1331-1355) Upper Zeta was held by a Duke.Lower and Upper Zeta were re-connected during the rule of House of Balsic. The gradual disintegration of theSerbian Empire under Emperor Uroš the Weak prompted the forming of several decentralized regions that were heldby different Serbian noblemen, the crown being in Moravian Serbia (where the ruler Lazar styled himself Tsar,Emperor, after marrying Milica, a Nemanjić) Zeta gained autonomy in 1362, during the gradual disintegration of theonce powerful Serbian Empire that followed the death of Tsar Stefan Dušan Uroš IV Nemanjić (Dušan the Mighty)in 1355.In 1296, the Upper Zeta region is mentioned as Crna Gora (15th century Venetian sources: Montenegro, "BlackMountain")

History

Appanage of Serbia

Grand Župan Stefan I Nemanja of Rascia andDuklja/Zeta.

Serbian Prince Desa Urošević conquered Duklja and Travunia in 1148,combining the title as "Prince of Primorje" (the Maritime) and co-ruledSerbia with his brother Uroš II Prvoslav 1149–1153, alone until 1162.

In 1190, Grand Župan of Rascia Stefan Nemanja's son, Vukan II,asserted his right to the Dukljan crown. In 1219, the regent of Zeta andKing Vukan's oldest son, Đorđe Nemanjić, became king ofDuklja/Zeta. He was succeeded by his second oldest son, Uroš I, whobuilt the 'Uspenje Bogorodice' monastery in Morača.

Between 1276 and 1309, Zeta was ruled by Queen Jelena, widow ofSerbia's King Uroš I. She restored around 50 monasteries in theregion--- most notably Saint Srđ and Vakh on the Bojana River. Thename Crna Gora (Montenegro) was formally mentioned for the firsttime in 1296, in the charter of St. Nicholas' monastery in Vranjina.This charter was issued by the Serbian King Stefan Milutin Nemanjić,who was the youngest son of Uroš I and Jelena Kurtene. Crna Gora(Montenegro) was to be understood as the highland region underMount Lovćen, within the confines of Zeta. By the beginning of the

14th century, during King Milutin's reign, the Archdiocese in Bar was the strongest feudal lord in Zeta.

From 1309 to 1321, Zeta was co-ruled by the oldest son of King Milutin, Young King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski.Similarly, from 1321 to 1331, Stefan's young son Stefan Dušan Uroš IV Nemanjić, the future Serbian King andEmperor, co-ruled Zeta with his father.

Dušan the Mighty was crowned Emperor 1331, and ruled until his death in 1355. Uroš the Weak succeeded him, hisepithet was given due to his weak rule of the Empire.Head Žarko held the Lower Zeta region, he is mentioned in records from 1356, when he raided some traders fromDubrovnik, not far from Sveti Srđ at Lake Skadar. Zeta itself was held by the widow of Dušan, Jelena, who at thetime was in Serres where she had her court. The next year, in june, Žarko becomes a citizen of the Republic ofVenice, where he is known as "baron lord of the Serbian King, with holdings in the Zeta region and Bojana of themaritime".Knight Đuraš Ilijić was "Head" (Kefalija, from Greek Cephalus) of Upper Zeta until his murder in 1362. Đuraš hadbeen killed by the sons of a Balša, a nobleman that held one village during the reign of Dušan.[1] [2]

Principality of Zeta 29

The House of Balšić

States in the Central Balkans (including Realm of Zeta of the Houseof Balšić) in the 14th century

The earliest State of Balsic

Founding

The Balšići are mentioned as provincial Lordssomewhere in between in an 1360 chart issued to theRepublic of Dubrovnik by Emperor Uroš the Weak (anepithet due to his weak rule).[3]

According to Mavro Orbin (l. 1563–1614), "A poorLord Balša", said to be ""kin to Nemanja"" held only avillage located between the Adriatic and Bojana riverduring the rule of Serbian Emperor Dušan the Mighty(r. 1331-†1355) but after the death of the Emperor andfollowing years under his son, Uroš, by 1362 takenover Lower Zeta, going on to kill voivode Đuraš Ilijić(founder of the House of Đurašević-Crnojević), Dukeof Upper Zeta who had held the position since around1326 (since King Stefan of Dečani). Balša I, togetherwith his three sons Stracimir, Đurađ I and Balša II,conquered Upper Zeta and the towns of Skadar, Kotorand Bar. Đurađ I ruled until 1378 and Balša II until1385.[3]

Đurađ I

Đurađ I's rule of Zeta extended from around 1362 to1378. During this time, he forged an alliance with KingVukašin Mrnjavčević, but Vukašin Mrnjavčević waskilled soon afterwards at the Battle of Maritsa in 1371.Đurađ I married Vukašin's daughter, Olivera.

Đurađ I ran Zeta as a modern ruler of the time. Zeta'sinstitutions were functioning well, while the coastaltowns enjoyed considerable autonomy. Commerce waswell developed and enhanced by the existence of Zeta'scurrency, the dinar.

Đurađ I allied with his neighbors Prince LazarHrebeljanović of Serbia, Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanić ofBosnia, Prince Nikola I Gorjanski and King Louis I of

Hungary, to defeat the ambitious Herzegovina'a ruler Nikola Altomanović in 1373. In spite of this, the defeated andblinded Nikola Altomanović found a refuge in Zeta until his death.

While he was battling in the south of Kosovo, Đurađ's younger brother Balša II, married Komnina, a close cousin ofthe mighty Tzar Dušan Uroš IV Nemanjić's wife, Jelena. By marrying Komnina, Đurađ II received a generous dowryin land, including Avlona, Berat, Kanina, and some additional strategically important regions.Upon the division of Herzegovina, the Balšićs took the towns of Trebinje, Konavle and Dračevica. Subsequentdispute over these towns led to a conflict between Zeta and Bosnia, led by Ban Tvrtko I. The fight was eventuallywon by Bosnia, supported by Hungary, after Đurađ's death in 1378.

Principality of Zeta 30

Balša II

In 1378, following Đurađ's death, his brother Balša II became the King of Zeta. In 1382, Ban Tvrtko I conqueredDračevica, and built the town later known as Herceg-Novi. Both Tvrtko I and Balša II aspired to ascend to the throneof the House of Nemanjić.During his rule, Balša II's could not maintain the control of the feudal lords as his predecessor did. His power wasstrong only in region around Skadar, and in the eastern part of Zeta. The most prominent feudal lords who did notrecognize Balša's rule was the House of Crnojević, who were consistent encouraged by the Venetians to rebel againsthim.Balša II needed four attempts to conquer Drač, an important commercial and strategic center. Defeated, Karl Thopiaappealed to the Turks for help. Turkish forces led by Hajrudin Pasha inflicted heavy damage to Balša II's forces andkilled him at a major battle at Saurian Field near Berat, in 1385.

Đurađ II

Picture of coat of arm insilver coin Đurađ II, about

1400 AD

The successor of Balša II, Đurađ II Stracimirović Balšić, ruled Zeta from 1385 to 1403,was Balša's nephew and son of Stracimir. He also had difficulties controlling the localfeudal lords, with no control over the feudal lords in the entire Upper Zeta. In addition,the feudal lords around Onogošt (Nikšić) accepted the Venetian protection. The mostprominent of those lords was Radič Crnojević, who controlled the area between Budvaand Mount Lovćen. Moreover, a number of Arbanas feudal lords, particularly LekëDukagjini and Paul Dukagjini joined the conspiracy against Đurađ II.

With this in mind as well as the constant danger from the Turks, Đurađ II maintainedstrong family ties with the Serbia's main lord of the time, Prince Lazar. To help PrinceLazar defend the Serbian lands from Ottoman invasion, Đurađ II sent his troops alongwith Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanić's forces (with whom he had a dispute over Kotor) to meetthe Ottoman army at Kosovo Polje. Despite Sultan Murad I's death, the Serbian armysuffered a defeat at the epic Battle of Kosovo in 1389. According to the sources, Đurađ IIdid not participate in the battle but was in Ulcinj in Southern Zeta.

In later years, Đurađ II played skillful diplomatic games to enhance the rivalry between the Ottomans and theVenetians. To that purpose, he offered Skadar to both hoping that eventually he would be able to keep it. After twoyears of fighting, Turks and Venetians agreed to leave it to Đurađ II, who was neutral in the conflict. Similarly, therivalry between Venetians and Hungarians brought a benefit to him. After a serious defeat of his forces by Turksnear Nikopolje, the Hungarian King Sigismund gave him the title of Prince of Arbania and the control over theislands of Hvar and Korčula.In the feud between Đurađ Branković and his uncle, Stefan Lazarević (son of Prince Lazar), who later received thetitle of Byzantine Despot, Đurađ II sided with Stefan. Due to Đurađ's support, Stefan defeated Turkish forces led byĐurađ Branković in the Battle of Gračanica on Kosovo Field on June 21, 1402.

Principality of Zeta 31

Balša III

In 1403, Đurađ II's 17-year old son, Balša III, inherited the throne of Zeta after his father died as a consequence ofthe injuries he suffered in the Battle of Gračanica. As he was young and inexperienced, his main advisor was hismother Jelena, a sister of the Serbian ruler, Stefan Lazarević. Under her influence, Balša III declared MontenegrinOrthodox Christianity as the official state religion; however, Catholicism was tolerated.Balša III continued the policies of his father. In 1418, took Skadar from the Venetians, but lost Budva. In thefollowing year he made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Budva. Afterwards he went to Belgrade to ask for helpfrom Despot Stefan, but never returned to Zeta.

Zeta in the Despotate (1421-1451)

Stefan Lazarević

In 1421, before his death and under the influence of his mother Jelena, Balša III passed the rule of Zeta to DespotStefan Lazarević. He fought Venetians and regained Bar in mid-1423, and in the following year he sent his nephewĐurađ Branković, who regaining Drivast and Ulcinium (Ulcinj).

Đurađ Branković

In 1427, Despot Stefan died and Serbian was inherited by his nephew, Despot Đurađ Branković who, at the time,needed to confront the more serious threat of the Ottoman Empire, and so could not pay particular attention to Zeta.

House of Crnojević

House of Crnojević Coat of Arms

Ascent to Power

The House of Crnojević began with two brothers, Đurađ and AleksaĐurašević-Crnojević, from the area around Mount Lovćen. But far moreimportant roles in establishing this family's rule in Zeta were played by StefanI Crnojević (1451–1465) and his son Ivan Crnojević (1465–1490). Ivan's sonĐurađ Crnojević (1490–1496) was the last ruler from this dynasty. Beginningwith the House of Crnojević rule, Zeta began to be referred to commonly asCrna Gora (Montenegro).

Stefan I

Stefan I Crnojević consolidated his power in Zeta and ruled for 14 years, from1451 until 1465. During his rule, he saw the Despotate completely subdued byTurkey soon after the death of Despot Đurađ Branković. Under StefanCrnojević, Montenegro comprised the Lovćen area around Cetinje, 51

municipalities which included Rijeka Crnojevića (Crnojević River), the valley of the River Zeta and the clansBjelopavlići, Pješivci, Malonsići, Piperi, Hoti, Klimenti (Kelmendi) and others. The population of the territoriescontrolled by Stefan was about 30,000. Total population of Zeta (including regions under the Venetian, Kosača's andTurkish rule), was about 80,000 people.

Capitalising on the weak position of Despot Đurađ, the Venetians and Herzog Stjepan Vukčić Kosača of St. Sava(the region of Herzegovina is named after him) conquered parts of his territory. Stefan I Crnojević, who had alreadyestablished himself as the head of House of Crnojević (around 1451) in Upper Zeta was forced to make territorialconcessions. In addition, Kosača took Stefan's son, Ivan a hostage, hoping that this will force Stefan to side with himwhen needed.

Principality of Zeta 32

Stefan married Mara, a daughter of a prominent Albanian Gjon Kastrioti, whose son was the Albanian national hero,Skanderbeg. In 1455, Stefan entered into an agreement with his ally Venice, stipulating that Zeta would recognizethe nominal supremacy of Venice while maintaining its factual independence in virtually every respect. Theagreement also stipulated that Zeta would assist Venice militarily on specific occasions in exchange for an annualprovision. But in all other respects, Stefan's rule in Zeta was undisputed.

Ivan

Ivan Crnojević became ruler of Zeta/Montenegro in 1465. His rule lasted until 1490. Immediately after taking thethrone, Ivan attacked Venice breaking the alliance his father had forged. He fought Venice in an attempt to captureKotor. He had some success, gaining increasing support from the coastal Slavic tribes of Grbalj and Paštrovići in hisquest to assert control over the Bay of Kotor. But when the Ottoman campaign in northern Albania and Bosniaconvinced him that the main source of danger to his country was to the East, he sought a compromise with Venice.Ivan fought numerous battles against the Turks.

The State of Crnojević in XV century

Zeta and Venice fought against the Ottoman Empire. The warended with the successful defense of Skadar, where the Venetianand Zetan defenders fought off forces of against Turkish SultanMehmed II and eventually won the war in 1474. However, thisvictory was short-lived, since the Sultan's forces conquered Skadarin 1479 and signed a peace treaty with Venice. Ivan hadaspirations to organise an anti-Turkish alliance consisting ofNapolitan, Venetian, Hungarian, and Zetan forces. However, hisdream could not be fulfilled since the Venetians did not dare tohelp Ivan after their peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire in1479. Left on his own, Ivan single-handedly managed to preserveZeta from frequent Ottoman offensives.

Knowing that the Ottomans would try to punish him for fightingon the Venetian side, and in order to preserve his independence, in1482 he moved his capital from Žabljak on Lake Skadar to themountainous area of Dolac, under Mount Lovćen. There he builtthe Orthodox Christian monastery (Cetinje Monastery) aroundwhich the capital, Cetinje, would emerge. This event marks the end of the history of Zeta, since the countrypermanently changed its name to Montenegro during Đurađ Crnojević's rise to power.

Đurađ IV

Đurađ IV Crnojević became ruler of Zeta in 1490. His rule lasted until 1496. Đurađ, Ivan's oldest son, was aneducated ruler. He is most famous for one historical act: he used the printing press brought to Cetinje by his father toprint the first books in southeastern Europe, in 1493. The Crnojević printing press marked the beginning of theprinted word among South Slavs. The press operated from 1493 through 1496, turning out religious books, five ofwhich have been preserved: Oktoih prvoglasnik, Oktoih petoglasnik, Psaltir, Molitvenik, and Četvorojevanđelje.Đurađ managed the printing of the books, wrote prefaces and afterwords, and developed sophisticated tables ofPsalms with the lunar calendar. The books from the Crnojević press were printed in two colors, red and black, andwere richly ornamented. They served as models for many books printed in Cyrillic.After the rule of Zeta was handed to Đurađ, his youngest brother, Staniša, with no chance to succeed his father, Ivan, went to Constantinople and converted to Islam. As a loyal servant of the Sultan, Staniša later became the Shkodrian Sanjak-Bey under the name of Skender. His brothers, Đurađ and Stefan II continued the struggle against Ottomans. The historical facts are unclear and disputed, but it seems that the Venetians, frustrated by their own inability to

Principality of Zeta 33

subdue the House of Crnojević to their own interests, managed to kill Stefan II and deceitfully sent Đurađ toConstantinople. Principally, Đurađ visited Venice to work on the wide anti-Ottoman campaign, but was kept incaptivity for some time while Stefan II was defending Zeta against the Ottomans. It is likely that upon his return toZeta, Đurađ was kidnapped by the Venetian agents and sent to Constantinople under the accusation that he had beenorganizing a Holy War against Islam. There are some unreliable claims that Đurađ was given Anatolia to rule, but inany case the reports about Đurađ's whereabouts ceased after 1503.

The End of the PrincipalityAfter the death of Đurađ Crnojević, Zeta was ruled by his brother Stefan II, as an Ottoman vassal. The end of the15th century and of Stefan's rule marked the end of the House of Crnojević. In the new administrative division of theBalkans, Zeta was a part of the Sanjak of İşkodra (Skadar) from 1499 to 1514. During this period, while Brda andNorth-West of Montenegro were nominally independent, the part of Zeta under Mount Lovćen remained entirelyindependent. By the end of the 15th century, Upper Zeta comprised Katunska, Riječka, Crmnička, and LješanskaNahijas.In 1514, Zeta was proclaimed as the separate Sanjak of Montenegro, by the order of Sultan Beyazid II. IvanCrnojević's son Staniša (Skenderbeg), who converted to Islam was chosen ad the first Sanjak-Bey and governed until1528. Despite Skenderbeg's emphasized cruelty, Ottomans did not have real power in Zeta. The real power was inthe hands of tribal heads. From 1534 onwards, there is no more mention of the Crnojevićs in Zeta. They reappearedin Montenegrin history as Čarnojevićs. Their most prominent member was Archbishop of Peć and Patriarch of SlavsArsenije III Čarnojević (1633–1706).In 1516, there was a shift in the constitution of Zeta. The last person of the House of Crnojević retired to Venice andmarried a Venetian. This conferred the succession upon the bishops of Cetinje. In Zeta, the position of vladika, as theprince-bishop was known, brought stability to that country's leadership. The link between church and state elevated itin the eyes of the peasantry, gave it an institutionalized form of succession that prevented its becoming a matter ofcontest between minor chieftains, and excluded the possibility of compromising alliances with the Ottomans.The Principality of Zeta officially ended when it was turned into a theocratic state by the Vladikas (Prince-Bishopsor Prince-Episcopes) when they took over in 1516. Zeta became known internationally as "Montenegro" (meaningblack mountain) because the mountain realm, though isolated, was visible to Venetian speaking merchants andseamen operating out of the ports of Cattaro and Ragusa on the Dalmatian coast. Indeed, access to the principalitywas only possible by way of the perilous Steps of Catarro that twist their way steeply into the dark, forbiddingmountains above the town. The Ottomans had controlled a part of Zeta since 1498, that was known as the Sanjak ofMontenegro, the Republic of Venice controlled Cattaro and the Vladikas of Montenegro controlled the rest.

List of rulers

House of Nemanjić

• Grand Zhupan Stefan Nemanja (1186–1196)• Vukan II Nemanjić of Duklja/Zeta and Dalmatia (1196–1208)• King Đorđe Nemanjić 1208-1243• King Stefan Uroš I 1243-1276• Queen Helene d'Anjou (Widow of King Stefan Uroš I) (1276–1309)• King Stefan Milutin Nemanjić (1309–1321)

• King Stefan Uroš III Nemanjić (St. Stefan Dečanski) (1309–1321)• King Stefan Dečanski|Stefan Uroš III Nemanjić (St. Stefan Dečanski) (1321–1331)

• King Stefan Dušan Uroš IV Nemanjić (1321–1331)• King and Tsar Stefan Dušan Uroš IV Nemanjić (1331–1355)

Principality of Zeta 34

House of Balšić

• Balša I (1356–1362)• Đurađ I (1362–1378)• Balša II (1378–1385)• Đurađ II (1385–1403)• Balša III (1403–1421)

Despots

• Despot Stefan Lazarević (1421–1427)• Despot Đurađ Branković (1427–1435)

House of Crnojević

• Stefan I Crnojević (1451–1465)• Ivan Crnojević (1465–1490)• Đurađ Crnojević (1490–1496)• Stefan II Crnojević (1496–1498)

References[1] Zeljko Fajfrić: Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ loza_nemanjica/ fajfric-svloza_5. html) "Posle toga krenuo je sa

svojim ljudima na osvajanje Gornje Zete, koju je držao Đuraš Ilijić i njegovi rođaci. Đuraša ubiše Balšini sinovi, neke njegove rođakezarobiše, a ostali napustiše zemlju. I tako su Balšini sinovi zagospodarili i Gornjom Zetom"

[2] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC)[3] Zeljko Fajfric: Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ loza_nemanjica/ fajfric-svloza_5. html) (Projekat Rastko)

Chapter 44, Oblasni gospodari: "Balša o kojem ćemo sada govoriti beše veoma siromašan zetski vlastelin i za života cara Stefana držao jesamo jedno selo. Ali kad je umro car, a kako njegov sin Uroš nije bio valjan vladar, počeo je s nekoliko svojih prijatelja i sa svojim sinovimaStracimirom, Đurđem i Balšom da zauzima Donju Zetu." "Posle toga krenuo je sa svojim ljudima na osvajanje Gornje Zete, koju je držaoĐuraš Ilijić i njegovi rođaci. Đuraša ubiše Balšini sinovi, neke njegove rođake zarobiše, a ostali napustiše zemlju. I tako su Balšini sinovizagospodarili i Gornjom Zetom" "Isto tako pali su u njihove ruke Dukađini koji su imali mnogo poseda u Zeti. Neke su poubijali, a drugebacili u tamnicu. Pri osvajanju ovih i drugih pokrajina više su se služili lukavstvom i prevarama nego silom oružja"

Sources• Dr Željko Fajfrić - Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ loza_nemanjica/ index. html),

1998• J. Jovanović, Stvaranje Crnogorske Države i Razvoj Crnogorske Nacionalnosti, 1947, Cetinje pages 18, 28, 36,

43, and 54-55• D. Živković, Istorija Crnogorskog Naroda, 1989, Cetinje

Balša I of Zeta 35

Balša I of Zeta

Balša

Coat of ArmsEthnicity Serb

Title Lord of Zeta

Children ĐurađStracimirBalša II

Balša (Serbian: Балша I) was a 14th-century Serbian provincial Lord of the Zeta region 1360-1362, subordinate theSerbian Emperor Uroš the Weak.[1] He is the founder of the noble House of Balšić.Balša was a petty nobleman and held only one village during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty (r. 1331-1355)but manages to expand his local power sometime after the death of Dušan (20 December 1355).[1] He begins withtaking lands previously held by Lord Žarko, (south of Lake Skadar, Lower Zeta[1] ), and is recognized as Oblastnigospodar (Lord) in charters of Emperor Uroš the Weak (r. 1355-1371). In 1362 his sons kill Head of Upper ZetaĐuraš Ilijić and expand further in Upper Zeta.[1] He died the same year.He had three sons, Đurađ, Stracimir, and Balša II, two of whom ruled Zeta: Đurađ and Balša II.

References[1] Zeljko Fajfric: Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ loza_nemanjica/ fajfric-svloza_5. html) (Projekat Rastko)

Chapter 44, Oblasni gospodari: "Balša o kojem ćemo sada govoriti beše veoma siromašan zetski vlastelin i za života cara Stefana držao jesamo jedno selo. Ali kad je umro car, a kako njegov sin Uroš nije bio valjan vladar, počeo je s nekoliko svojih prijatelja i sa svojim sinovimaStracimirom, Đurđem i Balšom da zauzima Donju Zetu." "Posle toga krenuo je sa svojim ljudima na osvajanje Gornje Zete, koju je držaoĐuraš Ilijić i njegovi rođaci. Đuraša ubiše Balšini sinovi, neke njegove rođake zarobiše, a ostali napustiše zemlju. I tako su Balšini sinovizagospodarili i Gornjom Zetom" "Isto tako pali su u njihove ruke Dukađini koji su imali mnogo poseda u Zeti. Neke su poubijali, a drugebacili u tamnicu. Pri osvajanju ovih i drugih pokrajina više su se služili lukavstvom i prevarama nego silom oružja"

Sources• Dr Željko Fajfrić - Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ loza_nemanjica/ index. html),

1998• The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century (http:/ / books. google. com/

books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC)• J. Jovanović, Stvaranje Crnogorske Države i Razvoj Crnogorske Nacionalnosti, 1947, Cetinje pages 18, 28, 36,

43, and 54-55• D. Živković, Istorija Crnogorskog Naroda, 1989, Cetinje

Đurađ I Balšić 36

Đurađ I Balšić

Đurađ IDied 13 January 1378Shkodër, Zeta

Cause of death Natural causes

Nationality Serb

Title Lord

Term 1372 - 1378

Predecessor Balša I

Successor Balša II

Religion Serbian OrthodoxRoman Catholic [1]

Spouse Olivera MrnjavčevićTeodora Dejanović Dragaš

Children JelisavetaGoisavaJevdokija (Eudokia)Konstantin (Košta)Đurađ (illegitimate)

Parents Balša IUnknown wife

Đurađ Balšić (Serbian Cyrillic: Ђурађ I) was a 14th-century Serbian noble and Lord of Zeta from 1362 - 13 January1378. He was the eldest of the three sons of Balša I, and belonged to the House of Balšić.

ReignHe was the eldest son of Balša, a petty nobleman that held one village during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty(r. 1331-1355), who was said to be "kin to Nemanja". The family started taking Lower Zeta sometime following thedeath of Dušan in 1355. In 1362 they murdered Đuraš Ilijić who was Head of Upper Zeta, the Balšići are henceforthrecognized as Oblastni Gospodari (Lords) of Zeta, as evident in charters of Uroš the Weak (r. 1355-1371).

Campaign against Karlo ThopiaIn 1363, Đurađ declared war against the Thopias, an Albanian noble family which controlled northern Albania. TheMatarangos, an Albanian noble family which controlled southern Albania, were allied with the Balšićs as a result ofa quarrel with the Thopias in the south. In the spring of 1364, Karlo Thopia took Đurađ captive due to a skirmish,ending Zetan involvement in the war. Đurađ was held captive until 1366 when Republic of Ragusa mediated peaceand procured his release.In January of 1368, a Ragusan document reported that the three Balšić brothers: Stracimir, Đurađ and Balša II, werepreparing for a campaign against Karlo Thopia. They were camped on the Mati River, of which Karlo's lands laysouth of. The fighting was apparently small-scale as two months later, Karlo had no difficulty capturingDyrrhachium from the Angevins.[2]

Đurađ I Balšić 37

Siege of KotorHoping to acquire suzerainty over the town, Đurađ had waged war against Kotor in 1368. Kotor, as a result ofwarfare, was suffering economic decline. Accepting Zetan rule wasn't going to aid Kotor economically either. Kotorresisted Đurađ's assault after seeing the town of Bar paying an annual tribute of 2,000 ducats to Đurađ, previouslypaying 100 perpers to Serbia, expecting the same fate for Kotor. Kotor sought aid from Nikola Altomanović, butafter his major defeat in Kosovo, he could provide little assistance. Kotor sought aid from the weak Tsar Uroš V andVenice. Neither provided much help as Venice was concerned that only their warships were on the Adriatic. In fact,Venice wrote to Tsar Uroš V in 1368, complaining that Serbia's armed ships were on the Adriatic, citing Bar, Budvanand Ulcinj to have them. They had also stated that this was also a violation of the Veneto-Serbian treaty andthreatened to treat this ships as pirate vessels. However, Uroš replied to that letter, stating that these ships thatVenice were complaining about belonged to Đurađ I Balšić, lord of Zeta.Uroš was unhappy with Đurađ's actions as they were directed against Kotor, which was under Uroš' suzerainty.Concluding that Đurađ was a rebel, the Serbian court claimed no responsibility for Đurađ's actions that might violatethe Veneto-Serbian treaty.In 1369, Đurađ laid siege to Kotor. Kotor, having no choice, turned to Hungary for support and sought for Hungariansuzerainty. Hungary sent a nobleman from Zadar to be the Prince of Kotor. This action only increased Kotor'stroubles, as it lost its trade privileges with Serbia for a time, causing a larger economic turmoil for Kotor. By spring1370, probably through Venetian mediation, Đurađ had made peace with Kotor. However, in the same year, NikolaAltomanović attacked Kotor.[3]

Campaign against Nikola Altomanović

In 1371, Đurađ announced to RagusanRepublic that Vukašin Mrnjavčevićand his son, Marko, along with theirarmies, were in Scutari with Đurađ,preparing an attack on Altomanović.Dubrovnik assisted their campaign byproviding ships to transport men andsupplies, since their campaign was inDubrovnik's interests. However, thecampaign never took place as Vukašinand Marko went to aid Vukašin'sbrother, Jovan Uglješa, in a campaignagainst the Turks, which ended up intotal disaster, Uglješa being killed inthe Battle of Maritsa. Altomanovićthought was now in even more trouble.Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović of Serbiaand Ban Tvrtko I of Bosnia alliedthemselves to defeat NikolaAltomanović. Desperate for a strongally, Altomanović began negotiations

with Đurađ. Most historians agree that in concluding negotiations, Đurađ gained the towns of Trebinje, Konavle andDračevica from Altomanović, possibly a bribe to remain neutral within the war. Other historians, however, follow

Đurađ I Balšić 38

Mauro Orbini's account and argue that Đurađ never concluded such an agreement, rather conquered the towns hegained from the agreement himself after Altomanović was defeated in 1373.[4]

Rivalry with Prince MarkoAfter the Battle of Maritsa, Marko, the son of Vukašin Mrnjavčević, was crowned king and gained his father's lands.However, his friendship with the Balšićs soon crumbled. This was a result of Đurađ, in 1371, expelling his first wifeOlivera, Marko's sister, and took Prizren from Marko. Lazar Hrebeljanović, prince of Moravian Serbia, conqueredPriština in the same year. Đurađ took Peć a year later, stripping most of Marko's lands north of Šar mountain.[5]

DeathĐurađ I died on 13 January 1378 in Skadar. However, recent studies now conclude that Đurađ died in 1379 ratherthan in 1378. The rule of Zeta was passed down to his younger brother, Balša II. Đurađ's death caused quite a stirbetween Zeta's neighbours. Bosnian Ban Tvrtko I annexed Đurađ's territories bordering Dubrovnik in 1377, alongwith the remainder of Đurađ's coastal lands between the Bay of Kotor and the land previously annexed in 1377 at thetime of his death. Tvrtko secured these possessions through Đurađ's death, free of worry of any counter-attack.Vuk Branković also took this opportunity to gain Đurađ's land. Branković sent his forces into Metohija and seizedPrizren, along with the rest of Đurađ's holdings in the region.[6]

Family and ChildrenĐurađ I was married to two women: Olivera Mrnjavčević (daughter of Vukašin Mrnjavčević) before 1364 andTeodora Dejanović/Dragaš (daughter of despot Dejan) after 1371. He had the following issue:• Jelisaveta (d. 1443)• Goisava (d. 1398), married Radič Sanković, lord of Nevesinje, Popovo Polje and Konavli• Jevdokija (Eudokia), married to Esau de' Buondelmonti, despot of Epirus• Konstantin (Košta) (d. 1402), local Zetan lord• Đurađ (illegitimate)

References[1] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 388 (http:/ / books. google.

com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA388,M1)

[2] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 372 (http:/ / books. google.com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA372,M1)

[3] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, pages 376-377 (http:/ / books.google. com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA377,M1)

[4] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 377 (http:/ / books. google.com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA377,M1)

[5] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 380 (http:/ / books. google.com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA380,M1)

[6] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 389 (http:/ / books. google.com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA389,M1)

Đurađ I Balšić 39

Sources• Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ loza_nemanjica/ fajfric-svloza_5. html), chapter 41:

"Balša o kojem ćemo sada govoriti beše veoma siromašan zetski vlastelin i za života cara Stefana držao je samojedno selo. Ali kad je umro car, a kako njegov sin Uroš nije bio valjan vladar, počeo je s nekoliko svojih prijateljai sa svojim sinovima Stracimirom, Đurđem i Balšom da zauzima Donju Zetu.""Posle toga krenuo je sa svojim ljudima na osvajanje Gornje Zete, koju je držao Đuraš Ilijić i njegovi rođaci.Đuraša ubiše Balšini sinovi, neke njegove rođake zarobiše, a ostali napustiše zemlju. I tako su Balšini sinovizagospodarili i Gornjom Zetom"

• The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, JohnVan Antwerp Fine, 1987

Balša IIBalša II (died September 18, 1385) was the Ruler of Principality of Zeta and a member of the House of Balšić,which ruled Shkodra and Zeta from 1356 to 1435. Balsha II was the youngest of three sons of Balša I. On January13, 1378, he came to power in Zeta after the death of his older brother, Đurađ I. His power was felt only in regionaround Shkodra and in the eastern part of Zeta's coast. The most prominent feudal lords who did not recognizeBalsha's rule were the Đurašević-Crnojević family, encouraged by Venetians.In 1372, Balša II married Komnina (Kanina), a daughter of John Komnenos Asen. As a dowry, Balsha gained thecities of Berat and Kanina.[1]

In 1382, Balša II started the war for the conquest of Durrës, taking it following four attempts. In 1385, defeated rulerKarl Topia appealed to Murat I for assistance and Ottoman Army led by Hajredin Pasha routed the Balšići the Battleof Savra near Berat. The Turks chopped Balša's head off and sent it as an exclusive gift to Hajredin Pasha. This endsthe rule of his family over Durrës.Balša's widow, Komnina, and their daughter Ruđina, later took control of Balša's territory in southern Albania toprotect it from Turkish invaders. Komnina seemed to be the Duchy of Valona's main ruler, until her death in 1396. Inthe meantime, the Muzakaj family had gained control of Berat. In 1391, however, Ruđina married Mrkša Žarković.Žarković succeeded the duchy, calling himself Lord of Valona. He reigned over the city until his death in 1414.Ruđina took over her late husband's position and ruled Valona until 1417, when it, as well as its citadel in Kanina,was seized by the Turks.[2] Ruđina fled Albania and sought asylum in Zeta. Her nephew, Balša III, then-ruler ofZeta, granted her asylum and entrusted her with governorship of the coastal town of Budva.[3]

References[1] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 372 (http:/ / books. google.

com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA372,M1)

[2] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 391 (http:/ / books. google.com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA533& lpg=PA533& dq=svetomiholjska+ metohija& source=web& ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA391,M1)

[3] The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 514 (http:/ / books. google.com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& pg=PA511& lpg=PA511& dq=drivast& source=web& ots=8BgcJY8Vam&sig=h6vkryf786DiahzLA6wzyJDB1_M& hl=en& sa=X& oi=book_result& resnum=2& ct=result#PPA514,M1)

Đurađ II 40

Đurađ II

Đurađ StracimirovićBorn Đurađ

Died April 1403Ulcinj

Cause of death Injuries

Resting place Church of Saint Catherine

Ethnicity Serb

Title Lord

Predecessor Balša II

Successor Balša III

Religion Roman Catholic

Spouse Jelena Lazarević

Children Balša

Parents Stracimir BalšićMilica Mrnjavčević (d. Jerina)

Đurađ II Stracimirović (Serbian Cyrillic: Ђурађ II Страцимировић, Albanian: Gjergj) anglicized Djuradj, Djerdj"or George; archaic version Đurđe or Djurdje, Serbian: Ђурђе, pronounced [ˈdʑuraːdʑ]; died April 1403) of the Houseof Balšić (Балшић), was a ruler of several Serbian lands from 1385 to 1403, most notably Zeta. He was the son ofStracimir, a brother of Đurađ's predecessor Balša II, and his wife Milica Мrnjavčević[1] (Jerina[2] ), daughter offallen Serbian King Vukašin Mrnjavčević.He reigned from 1386 up to 1389 in the still officially undissolved Serbian Empire in the form of a family alliance,then up to 1395 as an Ottoman vassal. He ruled until his death in 1403, when he was inherited by his only son, BalšaIII. He contributed greatly to secularization of Zeta and its modernization as a true tiny Medieval realm.

Đurađ II 41

Reign

Picture of coat of arms, on the silver coins ofDjuradj II Balsic (1385-1403).

In 1372 Đurađ had succeeded his father Stracimir as the fief lord ofUpper Zeta, Serbian Empire, of the Balšić family collective domain.Đurađ, in the standards of collective family reign, issued together withhis uncles Balša II and presiding Đurađ I an edict in the Republic ofRagusa on 30 November 1373. The edict confirmed the laws of TsarStefan Uroš from the Serbian Nemanjić and gave privileges to Ragusiantraders, including imposed taxes to the Adriatic City. It also included aunique clause, recognizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of theSerbian Empire even though for years without an Emperor and any formof centralized strong authority, a note that if anyone would became thenew sovereign Emperor of the Serbs and the Serbian nobility and lands,all the points shall be transferred from the Balšićs to him. Đurađ I'sLogotet Vitko was the witness, as well as Dragaš Kosačić[3] . Thecollectivity of the family of the Balšićs marked this unique feudal systemapplied to their domain.

Balša II succeeded Đurađ, what happened precisely is not known butfrom ca 1380 to Balša's death in 1385, young Đurađ was held captive bythe reigning uncle[1] , possibly in order to eliminate possible pretenders.Balša governed Đurađ's lands himself during this period.

Establishment

On 18 September 1385, Đurađ's uncle Balša II waskilled by the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Savra.Following the temporary rule of Balša's widowKomnena, daughter of Despot of Valona IvanKomnenos Asen, together with her daughterRuđina, Đurađ inherited the parts of Zeta andnorthern Albania, including the cities of Skadar,Drivast and Lješ, as per the Balšićs' traditional ruleof seniority, as "self-holder to the Zeta and Coastland". Đurađ was the governor of Ulcinj, whichhenceforth became the Balšićs' home town. Theremainder of the Balšić possessions, in southernAlbania, passed in 1391 from Ruđina to her spouseMrkša Žarković, son of Emperor Dušan'snobleman Žarko. The protovestijar Philip Bareli,the Venetian trader that handled Balša's financing, who was succeeded by Đurađ, is also mentioned.

Đurađ had succeeded leadership in the heats of disarray. The Pal Dukagjini broke off their allegiance to Đurađ, taking Lješ and the Drim area. Finally the Jonin family seceded with their own lands between Drač and the Drim, causing Đurađ to lose his very last possessions in Albania. Before even consolidating rule, Karlo Thopia conquered Drač and assigned it to his son George, Nikola Sakat, the Kastelan of Budva, and his brother Andrija seceded the city after 1386 and Vuk Branković took Peć and Prizren. Đurađ asked Dukagjini for an advice, and according to it, he

Đurađ II 42

had the Sakat brothers imprisoned and blinded. In the Zeta plains themselves under Lovćen, Đurađ had constantconflicts with the opposing ruler of Upper Zeta, Radič Crnojević, whose family has just come to prominence. Thearea of Onogost seceded to the Venetian side. It is thus that for a short time Đurađ's demesne was diminishing into asmall strip of land between Lake Skadar and the Adriatic Sea with his Ulcinj as the only city. Upon proclaiminghimself the sole head of the Balšić family, he issued an official edict on 28 January 1386 in the City of Skadar,calling his reign's strength upon "..the prayers and martyrs of my holy forefathers Symeon, the Nemanya, the firstSerbian Myhrr-flowing, and Sava the Saint" of his kin[4] . In it he also stated that the laws of the Serbian lords, hispredecessors Stracimir, Đurađ and Balša, and in specific of Emperor Dušan, shall remain and be valid for his reign.It was a standard remark of the ruler's calling upon divine right and inspired by the heritage of the Serbian Medievalstate, now in feudal disarray[5] . Mladen Ilić, Logotet Butko and Duke Nikola were witnesses in the edict [3] .

Serbian allianceFrom the start of his reign, Đurađ faced the potential threat from the powerful expansionist Ottoman Empire. Tostrengthen political links, he married Jelena (b. 1368), daughter of the Serbian Moravian lord Lazar Hrebeljanović,after recognizing Lazar as his sovereign in 1386. The folklore has recorded that Đurađ was at war with Prince Lazarfor three times before a peaceful union was achieved, although there is no historical confirmation. Prince Lazaraimed at maintaining the heritage of the dispersing Serbian Empire. Đurađ, Lazar, and Lord Vuk Branković ofKosovo formed a family alliance to govern the renewed Serbian realm, presided over by Lazar. The three also sharedthe annual tax paid to Serbian lords by the Republic of Ragusa. Each member retained some autonomy, however, ascan be seen through Đurađ's styling of himself as "I, Balšić in Christ the Lord, Đurađ, pious and autocratic lord ofthe lands of Zeta and the coast." Edicts for the realm were issued commonly by all three lords, extending Serbia tosome form of a level of a Triarchy, or even Diarchy, considering Vuk's considerably subordinate status to Lazar[6] .Đurađ also maintained diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire. Đurađ owes his position and everlastingpresence on the scene to his political cunningness. He succeeded the traditional rivalry between his family andBosnian-Serbian King Tvrtko I Kotromanić, whose Serbian crown the Balšićs did not recognize, most probablybecause of their own claims to the Serbian throne1. On his diplomatic initiative, the Ottomans invaded Bosnia in1386. During a second attack, Đurađ even sent his own troops to support the Ottoman Beylerbey of Rumelia LalaŞâhin Paşa at the Battle of Bileća on 27 August 1388, where he suffered a defeat to the hands of Bosnian DukeVlatko Vuković Kosača. This led to the suspicion that Đurađ was an Ottoman vassal. The Ragusan Republic wasweary of this Ottoman expansion, so they wanted to negotiate with Đurađ some military protection. On 23 August1388 Đurađ sent his envoy Žanin Bareli, Filip's son.[3] .Legends record Đurađ running with his forces to join the Serbian allied forces at the 1389 Battle of Kosovo andreturning after he heard the news about the fall; however this is very improbable if his links to the Ottomans in thatperiod are accounted for. The Epic telling records "Baoš" coming late on the 3rd day to the Kosovo Field after thebattle and how he was furious at the alleged traitor "Duke Vukan Branković". Also the wrong daughter of "EmperorLazar", Olivera Despina, was remembered as married to Đurađ2. Some historians who support the thesis of hisinvolvement in the battle identify him with the Serbian hero Banović Strahinja, while others suspect he was depictedin the heroic Miloš Obilić, who allegedly killed Ottoman Sultan Murad I, as the two share deep similarities[7] . In anycase, after the Battle of Kosovo, the Serbian Alliance crumbled and the last remains of the Serbian Empire dispersed,leaving Đurađ completely on his own.

Đurađ II 43

Zeta on its ownIn 1390 Vuk Branković sent envoys to Zeta and offered 500 liters of silver to Philip Bareli to hand over last Đurađ'sbastion, the City of Ulcinj. Fearing the occasion, Đurađ had him immediately imprisoned together with hischildren[8] .During his rule, Đurađ, like his predecessors, tried to find an effective modus vivendi for extending his rule over theCity of Kotor. As the richest and most economically developed city on the southern Adriatic coast close to Zeta, itfueled the rivalry between King Tvrtko and Đurađ. For these reasons no friendship between the two was created,even after peaceful relations were concluded in early 1389 on mediation of the Republic of Ragusa. When Tvrtkodied in the beginning of March 1391, the opportunity arose for Đurađ and he subsequently seized Kotor.From the start of Đurađ's reign he had to face with the outlaw of his cousin Konstantin, administrator of the lands inthe rivers of Bojana and Drim, who didn't accept his supremacy in the Balšićs' lands. It is believed that Filip Barelihad connections with Konstantin, so he was convicted for committing the highest felony, a "crime against Đurađ'sauthority" and all of his plentiful property was confiscated by Đurađ. Konstantin went into Ottoman service andsince 1390 under protection of Sultan Bayezid I actively works to seize power as the Head Balšić. As a result, Đurađcame into fierce opposition to the Ottomans in 1391, converted to Catholicism, and promised his lands in heritage toPope Boniface IX in the case of no heir apparent. Clearly siding with the Christian coalition under the legal PapalStates in conflict with the Avignonese Antipope Clement VII, Đurađ took the side of Louis II of Anjou in his waragainst Ladislas of Naples. But the broader plans for organizing a crusade against Turks have remained but a dream.Đurađ received a border with the Ottoman Empire as they took the lands of Vuk Branković in 1392. For oppositionto Turkish influence in the region, the Sultan sent an army to invade his lands in May of 1392. At the same time inthe heat of fighting his competitors Radič Crnojević and Konstantin Balšić, Đurađ was forced to negotiate with theOttomans for peace terms. He negotiated with Skopje Sanjakbey Lala Şâhin but the talks were fruitless as theOttoman demanded half of all his territories around Zeta, including his seat of Ulcinj. In addition to that, in late 1392the bey tricked him and threw him into prison. His wife Jelena Hrebeljanović was making moves to free him, withthe help of the Venetian Republic, but they all reached a moot end. One of the main reasons for that was that hisopponent Radič Crnojević expanded his reign vastly and became a Venetian vassal in November 1392. Thepossibility of this was Đurađ's reluctance to release Philip Bareli, a Venetian citizen, despite many pleas from theRepublic. In the heat of struggle amongst feudal lords in Zeta, Philip managed in 1392 to flee from his prison toDurrës, coming into John Thopia's service. On the other side King Stjepan Dabiša dispatched Bosnian Duke SandaljHranić from the Hum to takeover Đurađ's lands and further agitate Radič Crnojević.Having no other choice, Đurađ handed over to bey Şâhin the cities of Skadar and Drivast and the Forum of Sveti Srđon the Bojana River to the Turks, as well as agreed to pay annual taxes in exchange for his release. Ottomansquadrons occupied the locations in early 1393. The same year he tried to claim his old Lješ which was just handedover by the Dukagjinis to the Venetians, but Radič's support of Venetian control proved crucial. Seeing the necessityof Venetian support, he managed to get accepted into its citizenry in May 1395. Đurađ did not rest for long, andalready in October 1395 he broke the deal while the Ottomans were at war against the Hungarians and Wallachians,restored Skadar and Sveti Srđ and even defeated his rival Konstantin by seizing his stronghold of Danj, withVenetian assistance. To keep his cities safe, Đurađ relied upon the rivalry between Turkey and Venice. He handedover the cities into Venetian administration. When Ottoman advances obviously came to a halt, the Venetiansdecided to negotiate the deal. In April 1396 a contract was signed. Đurađ handed over Skadar, the Skadar Lake withall its islands and Sveti Srđ to Venetian administration, as well as agreed to channel the income from tolls in Danj, inexchange for 1,000 ducats every year. He also promised to give the cities support in case of a Turkish attack and wasaccepted into Venetian nobility. The whole act was typical for weak lords facing the mighty Ottoman Empire in thecoastline of the western Balkans. Đurađ remained to rule directly just a small territory west of the Bojana river withBar and Ulcinj as the only cities.

Đurađ II 44

In 1396 Koja Zakarija from the Sakat family came to power in northern Albania centered in Danj, independentlyfrom Đurađ.

Zeta's rebirthAt the end of April 1396, Radič and his brother Dobrivoje Crnojević had made a significant move against Đurađ.They took Grbalj and laid siege to Kotor. Đurađ became disliked by the Orthodox Serb commonfolk, so theexcessively Orthodox religious Crnojevićs' takeover was looked upon nicely by the people, resulting in Paštrovićs'cross to Radič's side. In May 1396 they moved to battle Đurađ himself, however Đurađ completely defeated theCrnojevićs and killed Radič, managing to get a hold over a part of the Crnojević domain. Soon a new enemy arose atthe west; Bosnian nobleman Sandalj Hranić Kosača seized large parts of land quickly and conquered Budva andKotor, made a deal with the Paštrovićs, also managing to win Venetian protection, who proclaimed him thelegitimate ruler of Budva and Zeta itself. In Upper Zeta the Đurašević subgroup of the Crnojevićs came toprominence, though they made an agreement and joined Đurađ, seeing a common enemy in Duke Sandalj. Theyaided him in the wars against Sandalj, taking the first fronts by retaking all the lands from Budva to Spič as well asthe Churchland of Saint Miholj in the Bay of Kotor, the Serbian Orthodox religious center in Zeta. In December1396, the Hungarian King Sigismund lost the Battle of Nicopolis. During his return across the sea, he stayed inĐurađ's lands. To honor Đurađ for his fights against the Ottomans, Sigismund made him Prince of his Dalmatianislands of Hvar and Kоrčula.The Most Serene Republic of Venice led an economic policy that soon introduced Venetian monetary domination inthe region, fully replacing that of the Balšićs', and ever since Spring 1396 clearly showed pretensions to take theremaining lands of Đurađ. The Venetian monopoly introduced by lowering customs and other taxes in Skadar andDrivast greatly diminished the Balšićs' income so the relations between the two deteriorated. It is so that in 1399when in the Venetian-administered Balšić lands the oppressed peasants raised a rebellion, all the guilt was attributedto Đurađ. As a result, in early 1401 Venice ceased paying the annual thousand ducat tribute for the lands. Anotherreason claimed were the frequent robberies by suspects from Đurađ's domain of Venetian storehouses of salt in theregion, a crucial resource in that time. This caused Đurađ to renew links with the Ottoman Turks again, but wars inAsia Minor have made them impossible to intervene, which finally forced Đurađ to succumb to Venetian demands.As per the new deal, he paid for all the damage done by the robbers and agreed to give free passage and specialprivileges to Venetian traders, while Venice continued to pay the tribute for the cities. These acts introducedVenetian presence in the region, which would henceforth remain as an important local political factor. In 1402 hislong-term Balšić rival Konstantin was killed by Venetian agents in Dyrrhachium under unknown circumstances.Returning from the Battle of Angora, Đurađ's brother-in-law, the newly-crowned Despot Stefan Lazarević, stayed athis court in the late Summer of 1402. Đurađ prepared him and organized an army to battle his rival Đurađ Brankovićin Ottoman service at the Battle of Tripolje near Gračanica on 21 June 1402, to help his cousin with all meanspossible, ending in full victory. In April of 1403, Đurađ II Stracimirović died of the injuries suffered in the battle. Hewas buried in the Church of Saint Catherine in his hometown of Ulcinj, where he still remains. Seventeen-year-oldBalša, Đurađ II's only child, inherited his lands. He ruled with his mother as Chief adviser until she remarried in1411, to Bosnian Duke Sandalj Hranić from Herzegovina. She gave a significant impact to Zetan foreign policy,tying it strongly with the newly created Serbian Despotate as a former important part of the Empire[9] .

MiscellaneousĐurađ continued using the currency of his predecessors, coins forged with the wolf, chest, and shield symbols of the Balšićs,[10] Dinars, used in the lands of the Serbian Empire, though he didn't mint many new coins, similar to his predecessor, due to continuous weakening of the Balšićs' economic power. One of the two versions featured heads of wolves and the Balšićs' coat of arms, each with a surrounding inscription: "M.D. GORGI STRACIMIR" on one side, and "S.STEFAN SCUTARI" on the other. The other version had the character "M" next to the coat of arms and the

Đurađ II 45

presentations of Balšićs' patron Saint Lawrence along with an inscription below him "S LAVRENCIUS M"[11] .Đurađ founded for the Serbian Orthodox Church a Church of Saint George and its Monastery of Beski (Brezovica)on the island of Gorica in Lake Skadar, near Starčevo. After his death, his wife Jelena expanded it with her ownmausoleum, where she was buried in 1443. The monastery became a significant cultural and spiritual center of theSerbian Church, actively working in scribing and nourishing the Nemanjić heritage[12] . Đurađ's wife Jelena becamea deeply religious and talented poet, writing the opus of then's Old Serb-Slavic language[13] .

Notes1 it seems that in the very early stages the Balšićs have become family-connected to the Nemanjićs, but there is no further information; the most

probably explanation is because Zeta was the cradle of the major Serbian dynasties, Nemanjić and Vojislavljević[14]

2 according to the legend she was planned to be married to Miloš Obilić, thus Djuradj's possible depiction in Obilic might've caused this mixup; in

reality she was sent to Ottoman Emperor's harem and married Sultan Bayezid I

References[1] Foundation for Medieval Genealogy, Montenegro, Balšići (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ MONTENEGRO. htm#_Toc156305674)[2] (Serbian) Genealogies of Serb dynasties in Montenegro and Serbia (http:/ / www. njegos. org/ markus/ 20. jpg) by Jovan B. Markuš[3] Nemirno doba srpskog srednjeg veka, Vlastela srpskih oblasnih gospodara. Marko Šuica, Belgrade, 2000.[4] Monumenta Serbica, Franz von Miklosich[5] History of Montenegro, Second Book, From the end of XII to the end of XV Century, Volume Two, Montenegro in the Age of Regional

Lords. Redaction for the History of Montenegro (Dr Dimitrije Vujovic, Risto Dragicevic, Nikola Djakonovic, Milinko Djurovic, Dr MircetaDjurovic, Dr Pavle Mijovic, Dr Djoko Pejovic, Dr Vlado Strugar), Titograd (Podgorica), 1970

[6] History of the Serbian People, Group of Authors (Sima Ćirković,....)[7] Serbian Epic Poetry (http:/ / home. earthlink. net/ ~markdlew/ SerbEpic/ gloss. htm) Glossary[8] Istorija Crne Gore, Ivan Božić[9] (Serbian) Ecclesiastic Occasions in Zeta during the Age of Nikanor Jerusalem's, Momčilo Spremić (http:/ / www. rastko. org. rs/

bogoslovlje/ nikon/ simposion/ mspremic-zeta_c. html)[10] (Serbian) "Appearance and development of currency", Economic Faculty (http:/ / www. ekonomija. co. me/ ), Podgorica[11] Perper, the Montenegrin Currency (http:/ / www. montenegrina. net/ pages/ pages1/ istorija/ cg_od_20vij_do_1_svj_rata/

perper_crnogorski_novac. htm) by Pavle V. Novaković[12] Ecclesiastic Occasions in Zeta during the Age of Nikanor Jerusalem's, Momčilo Spremić (http:/ / www. rastko. org. rs/ bogoslovlje/ nikon/

simposion/ mspremic-zeta_c. html)[13] Anthology of Serbian Poetry, Miodrag Pavlović[14] Ethnic Identity of Doclea and Zeta, Aleksandar Raković

External links• HISTORICAL LEXICON - BALŠIĆI, Đurađ II Stracimirović Balšić (http:/ / www. montenegrina. net/ pages/

pages1/ istorija/ balsici/ balsici_andrijasevic_rastoder. htm) (Serbian)

• Adžić, Novak. BALŠIĆS - ĐURAĐ II BALŠIĆ AS ARCHITECT OF A SOVEREIGN STATE OF ZETA,FROM 1385 TO 1403 (http:/ / montenegrina. net/ pages/ pages1/ istorija/ balsici/ balsici_novak_adzic. htm)article for Montenegrina (http:/ / montenegrina. net/ ) (Serbian)

Đurađ II 46

Further reading• Rastoder, Šerbo, Andrijašević, Živko, Papović, Dragutin, Folić, Zvezdan, Šabotić, Sait, Drobnjak, Slobodan,

Selhanović, Jadranka, Drinčić, Željko and Prekić, Adnan (2006). Istorijski leksikon Crne Gore, Balšići, Đurađ IIStracimirović Balšić entry, Daily Press - VIJESTI, 2006, ISBN 86-7706-165-7

• Veselinović, Andrija & Ljušić, Radoš (2001). СРПСКЕ ДИНАСТИЈЕ, СРЕДЊОВЕКОВНЕ ДИНАСТИЈЕ(Andrija Veselinović), БАЛШИЋИ, Platoneum.

• Intervju - ДИНАСТИЈЕ и владари јужнословенских народа, Балшићи. Special Edition 12, 16 June 1989.

Balša IIIBalša III (1387 - 28 April 1421, Belgrade) was the fifth and last ruler of Zeta from the House of Balša, from April1403 - May 1421. He was the son of Đurađ II. His wife was Mara, the granddaughter of the Balšić Family rival, KarlThopia.

ReignIn April 1403, Đurađ II's 17-year old son, Balša III, inherited the rule of Zeta as his father died in consequence of theinjuries suffered in the Battle of Gračanica. As he was young and inexperienced, his main advisor was his mother,Jelena, a sister of the ruler of Serbia at the time, Stefan Lazarević. Under the influence of his mother, Jelena, BalšaIII reverted the order of the state religion, passing the law whereby declaring Christian Orthodox as the officialconfession of the state, while Catholicism became a tolerant confession.Balša III waged a 10-year war against Venice. In 1405, Ulcinj, Bar and Budva were seized by the Venetians. Balšathen became a vassal to the Ottoman Turks. In 1409, however, Venice had purchased the rights to Dalmatia fromLadislas of Naples and began fighting for control of Dalmatian cities. After a huge effort, Balša seized Bar from theVenetians in 1412. Venice, pressed with difficulties, had no choice but to agree to return territories it had previouslyseized.[1]

Balša had waged a new war against Venice, which was connected to the war with the Hungaians and the Turks. In1418, he conquered Shkodër from the Venetians, but lost Budva and Luštica with its salt works. In the next year,1419, he made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Budva. He went to Belgrade to ask for aid from StefanLazarević, but never returned to Zeta. In 1421, before his death and under the influence of his mother Jelena, hepassed the rule of Zeta to his uncle, Despot Stefan Lazarević.

References[1] [[Sima Ćirković|Ćirković, Sima M. (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=Ki1icLbr_QQC& pg=PA92& dq=Balsa+ Balsic&

sig=p16KRFV5zv9II_UbIltOXZjudao#PPA92,M1)]. The Serbs, page 92, Blackwell Publishing, 2004, ISBN 0-631-20471-7

Stefan I Crnojević 47

Stefan I Crnojević

War in Zeta (1441-1444. Years) Duchy of Stephen VukcicKosaca annexed to the Upper Zeta Podgorica and square

fortress Medun. Conquered the city of Bar, with the fortress(now Old Bar) in Lower Zeta.

Military despots Đurađ Brankovic is broken under the Bar, inmid-July 1448th year: 1. Altoman (Duke Đurađ Brankovic),2nd Stefanica Crnojević (Duke Đurađ Brankovic) held the

position in the hills above the Bar, 3rd Paštrovići (most) on theside of the Serbian despot Đurađ; 4th Mrkojevići (paid warrior

troupe of 130 homes, the parish Prapratna, between Bar andUlcinj) most contributed to victory Venetians; 5.Venice

properties.

Stefan a.k.a. Stefanica Crnojević (Montenegrin/SerbianCyrillic: Стефан, Стефаница Црнојевић; 1426-1465) wasa medieval lord of the Principality of Zeta (in OldMontenegro), from the House of Crnojević that ruled itfrom 1451 to 1465.

Stefan I Crnojević 48

Reign

Crnojević family properties

Stefan was born in 1426 as the third son of the ZetanDuke Đurađ Đurašević Crnojević and the daughter ofAlbanian nobleman Kojë Zakarija. He becamenicknamed "Stefanica". When Stefanica grew up, hebecame one of the many noblemen who governedparts of Zeta within the Serbian Despotate, but didnot agree with the other Crnojević members andpursued his goals on his own, outside the mainstreamof the family.

With the temporary Ottoman occupation of theSerbian Despotate's main continental territories in

1441, Despot Đurađ Branković came to Zeta from the Ragusian Republic to organize resistance and liberate theoccupied parts, but the attempt did not come to fruition and resulted with the blinding of the despot's two capturedsons in retaliation. With his departure back to Hungary, Stefan aligned with the Bosnian nobleman Stefan VukčićKosača of Hum.[1]

Stefanica married the oldest daughter of Albanian lord Gjon Kastrioti, Maria Kastrioti, also called Mamica. Thisfamily link became really important when in 1443 John's son and Maria's brother, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbegrebelled in Albania against his Turkish sovereign and served as a shield against Ottoman expansion to theCrnojević's lands for decades. In 1444 lord Stefan Crnojević found strong new protectors in the Venetian Republic,but with the restoration of the Serbian Despotate after the Crusade, Stefan gave his loyalty to Despot ĐurađBranković in 1448.After the disappearance of Stefan's brother Goycinus from political life in 1451, Stefan took over the leadership ofthe house of Crnojević and became the ruler of a large part of Zeta. Stefanica was never good with his brothers andalways led politics on his own. To strengthen his position, he decided to immediately seek foreign protection. In1452 he gave his loyalty to Venice, and became her hired Captain, subsequently entitled Duke of Upper Zeta.Wisely, he anticipated the downfall of the Serbian Despots, and decided to align with the Venetians. In 1455 theOttoman Turks invaded Serbia and conquered all of its territories south of the Western Morava river, completelycutting Zeta off from the core of the Despotate. Therefore, Duke Stefan Crnojević along with representatives from all51 municipalities from Upper Zeta signed an agreement the same year with the Venetians in Vranjina, by whichUpper Zeta accepted Venetian rule. Venice came to rule only the cities, while all internal affairs were left to dukeStefan. The Republic of Venice also bound itself not to mettle with the ecclesiastical authority Serbian OrthodoxMetropolitan of Zeta in any way.Montenegro slowly became the name of Stefan's Zetan realm. He reigned peacefully without the intervention ofVenice and the Ottomans until his death in late 1464 or the beginning of 1465, when his son Ivan succeeded him.

References[1] Medieval and Renaissance Studies (1978). Viator (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=v9swtfALoisC& pg=PA388& dq=Stjepan+

VukÄ�iÄ�+ KosaÄ�a& lr=& as_brr=3& hl=hr& cd=1#v=onepage& q=& f=false). University of California Press. pp. 388–389.ISBN 0-520-03608-5. .

Ivan I Crnojević 49

Ivan I Crnojević

Ivan I CrnojevićLord of the Principality of Montenegro

Reign 1465 – 1490

Predecessor Stefan I Crnojević

Successor Đurađ IV Crnojević

Royal House House of Crnojević

Ivan Crnojević (names in other languages) was the medieval ruler of Zeta and first lord of the Principality ofMontenegro from 1465 to 1490.

ReignIn his youth he was in the many raids against the domains of the Bosnian nobleman Stefan Vukčić Kosača of Hum[1]

, and on one occasion he was captured. For a very long time was he the Herzog's servant before release. Ivan marriedGoislava, the sister of the Albanian lord Gjergj Arianit Komneni of the Comnenus dynasty, and became related withSerbian titular Despot Stefan Branković across his wife from the same family. In the beginning of his reign Ivan wasat very bad relations with the Venetians, whom he saw as occupiers of his cities. In return, the Venetians have put aprice on his head in 1465. But thanks to moves of the Saint Abbaside Duke Stephen and Albanian Lord Scanderbey,in 1466 he became a Duke under payment from the Venetian Republic with the capital in Žabljak at the Lake Skadar.His payment was quite fair, 1,200 ducats annually. In 1469 Ivan remarried. His next spouse was Mara, the daughterof the Herzegovinian Duke Stephen.

Ivan I Crnojević 50

The state of Crnojević

Ivan Crnojević fought fearsomely for the Venetians in its warsagainst the Ottomans. The Venetian Captain of Upper Zeta andDuke was accepted thus in 1473 into the ranks of Venetiannobility. The next 1474 he further honored his obligations anddefended Skadar from an Ottoman attack. After this success, DukeIvan planned to liberate Herzegovina from Ottoman occupation forthe brother of his second wife, Duke Vladislav Hercegović.Conflicts came out over discussions regarding the future borderbetween the realms of Montenegro and Herzegovina, whichallowed Sultan Mehmed II to take initiative and invadeMontenegro, and with Duke Stephen's help the Turks seize Ivan'sthrone of Žabljak in 1478. The next 1479 Ivan gave up onMontenegro and fled to Italy, forced to leave his realm in Ottomanhands.

After Sultan Mehmed II's death in 1481, Ivan Crnojević came backto occupied Montenegro. Using the civil war that erupted betweenMehmed's heirs, Bayezid and Jem, he restored control with the

help of the people that welcomed him gladly as a liberator. The new Ottoman sultan Bayezid accepted the reality, butIvan-bey anyway sent his youngest son Staniša in 1482 as a hostage to Istanbul as a sign of accepting vassalage,where he naturalized as "Skander". The center of his renewed realm was at Obod above the Crnojević River.Wishing to preserve the realm of Montenegro and its independence from the Turks because he didn't feel safe at theedge and the border, Ivan moved its capital deep into the hills and at the foot of Mount Lovćen. He also moved theseat of the Orthodox Metropolinate to the Cetinje Monastery. He had his court built in the field of Cetinje in 1482. In1485 Ivan built the monastery of the Mother of Christ in Cetinje as a personal endowment to the Orthodox Church. Itwas known as the Monastery of Crnojević. The new capital Cetinje that remains the Montenegrin capital to this day,was thus founded. Ivan Crnojević died in 1490, when he was succeeded by his son Đurađ Crnojević.

During his long-lasting reign, Ivan I he tried, in order to consolidate his country, to maintain good relations with theVenetians and Turks. That way, he found favor with those two powerful countries for his successor. He brought arange of legislative acts that was later of great importance for the legal and cultural history of a future Montenegro.Ivan was the father of Đurađ IV Crnojević. Ivan has become already in his life a living legend and one of the greatestMontenegrin national heroes.

Culture

“"Авај, царе, ранах допануо, живога те Срби распарали, са тобом се људи подругали, Москови ти царство разорили! Буд' ли си мипотурчио сина - јер му даде за пашалук клети моје земље и моје државе, јер му ђецу покла, нечоече?" ”

Addressing to the Ottoman Emperor: "Alas, Emperor, wounds got thee, alive the Serbs slain thee, with thou menchattered, Moscowans your Empire destroyed! If it is thou turcified my son - given thou him the cursed pashaluk mylands and my states, slaughtered his children, inhuman?"

Ivan I Crnojević 51

Names in other languages• English: John the Black• Montenegrin/Serbian: Cyrillic: Иван Црноjeвић - Иво, old-style: Јован; Latin: Ivan I Crnojevic• Italian: Giovanni Cernovichio• Bosnian: Ivan I Crnojević• Croatian: Ivan I Crnojević• Turkish & Ottoman Turkish: Ivan-bey

References[1] Medieval and Renaissance Studies (1978). Viator (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=v9swtfALoisC& pg=PA388& dq=Stjepan+

VukÄ�iÄ�+ KosaÄ�a& lr=& as_brr=3& hl=hr& cd=1#v=onepage& q=& f=false). University of California Press. pp. 388–389.ISBN 0-520-03608-5. .

Đurađ CrnojevićĐurađ Crnojević (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Гю(р)г Цьрноевыкь (archaic), Ђурађ Црноjeвић (modern)), the son toIvan Crnojević, was the ruler of the Principality of Zeta between 1490 and 1496, the founder of the first printinghouse, and identified himself as the "Duke of Zeta". He was well known by his great education, knowledge ofastronomy, geometry and other sciences.During his short-term reign he became famous for making efforts to spread the cultural heritage rather than for hispolitical successes. The Turks made him leave Zeta in 1496. Although he was removed from the historical scene, hisbooks remained as a great contribution to the Montenegrin culture. With the help of Hieromonk Makarije he printedfive books of big importance to the Montenegrin cultural heritage.

Crnojević Printing HouseAmong five major incunabula printed in the printing house of the Crnojevic family between 1493 and 1496 the mostnotable are Oktoih the First Voice (Oktoih prvoglasnik), Oktoih the Fifth Voice (Oktoih petoglasnik) and the Psalter(Psaltir sa posljedovanjem).Oktoih the First Voice was the first book to be printed in Cyrillic letters. It was printed on January 17, 1494. 108copies of this book survive. It contains 538 pages sized 29 x 21,6 cm. It is characterized by high quality and cleantwo-coloured printing, red and black, with nicely shaped letters and well placed banners and initials. Thesexylographic banners and initials are made in the spirit of Renaissance with a trace of old manuscript tradition. By thebeauty of its graphic it is considered to be at the same level as Venetian productions of that time. The DjurdjeCrnojevic Central National Library published 600 copies of Oktoih the First Courier in 1987.Oktoih the Fifth Voice, also printed in 1494, was the first illustrated South Slavic incunabulum. It was printed in1494. Its fragments have been preserved. The longest one contains 37 pages.What makes this incunabula special are six xylographic illustrations. The artist who engraved them managed to putrather complex compositions with many characters on a relatively small space.The Crnojevic Psalter was printed at Cetinje in 1495. It is not only of liturgical and conventional but also historicaland literary significance. It is decorated with three engraved banners and 27 initials repeated 221 times. There are 36complete and partial copies preserved. The Djurdje Crnojevic Central National Library published 650 copies of itsphoto-printed edition in 1986.

Kingdom of Prilep 52

Kingdom of Prilep

Province of Prilep

← 1371–1395 →

Coat of arms

Medieval Realm of King MarkoCapital Prilep

Language(s) Serbian

Religion Serbian Orthodox

Government Kingdom

King

- 1371-1395 Marko Kraljević (only)

Historical era Medieval

- Marko's inheritance September 26, 1371 1371

- Subjugation by Bayezid I 1395

The Lordship of Prilep was one of the provinces of the Serbian Empire, held by Vukašin Mrnjavčević, the co-rulerof Serbia alongside child-less Uroš the Weak (r. 1355-1371). Emperor Uroš and Lord Vukašin died at the Battle ofMaritsa, and Prilep was obtained by Marko Mrnjavčević, the son of Lord Vukašin.Since Marko is referred to as King in South Slavic folklore, (he had the personal title of young king[1] given by hisfather), the realm is in some sources called the Kingdom of Prilep (Serbian: Краљевство Прилеп, KraljevstvoPrilep, Macedonian and Bulgarian: Прилепско кралство, Prilepsko kralstvo).[2]

The seat was in Prilep, present-day Republic of Macedonia.

Kingdom of Prilep 53

States in the Central Balkans that emerged afterdissolution of Serbian Empire in the 14th century

The lands were held by Serbian feudal lord Vukašin Mrnjavčević, whowas crowned the king of the Serbs, Macedonians and Greeks in 1365as the co-ruler of last Serbian emperor Uroš. After the death of bothUroš and Vukašin in 1371, Vukašin's son Marko Mrnjavčević, knownas King Marko, became the sole legal ruler of the Serbian Empire buthis power was contested by other Serbian feudal lords who gainedcontrol over other regions leaving Marko only with the areas inwestern Macedonia.[3] So, after his father's death, Marko becameeffective ruler of the Kingdom of Prilep.[4]

The Province was subjugated by the Sultan Bayezid I in 1395.

Reference[1] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=HGI0Zhj6OcIC& pg=PA38& dq=marko+

kraljevic+ young+ king[2] The last centuries of Byzantium, (1261-1453) by Donald MacGillivray Nicol (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=y2d6OHLqwEsC&

pg=PA275& dq=KINGDOM+ OF+ PRILEP& lr=& num=50& ei=0Gz8StObGZbQNO-9vYkP& client=firefox-a#v=onepage&q=KINGDOM OF PRILEP& f=false)

[3] J.VA Fine, The late mediaeval Balkans, p.380 (http:/ / www. google. com/ books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC& printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=Marko& f=false)

[4] History of Serbia, by Harold William Vazeille Temperley (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=lP2gAAAAMAAJ& q=KINGDOM+ OF+PRILEP& dq=KINGDOM+ OF+ PRILEP& lr=& num=50& ei=0Gz8StObGZbQNO-9vYkP& client=firefox-a)

Prince Marko 54

Prince Marko

Marko MrnjavčevićKing

King Marko, a fresco above the south entrance to the church of Marko's Monastery near Skopje. He was a ktetor of this monastery.

Reign 1371 - 1395

Full name Marko Mrnjavčević

Died May 17, 1395

Place of death Rovine

Predecessor Vukašin Mrnjavčević

Successor Position abolished

Consort to Jelena

Royal House House of Mrnjavčević

Father Vukašin Mrnjavčević

Mother Alena

Marko Mrnjavčević (Serbian Cyrillic: Марко Мрњавчевић) (c. 1335–1395) was de jure the Serbian king from1371 to 1395, while de facto he ruled only over a territory in western Macedonia centered on the town of Prilep. Heis known as Prince Marko (Serbian: Краљевић Марко, Kraljević Marko) and King Marko (Bulgarian andMacedonian: Kрaли Марко) in South Slavic oral tradition, in which he has become a major character during theOttoman occupation of the Balkans. Marko's father, King Vukašin, was the co-ruler of Serbian Tsar Stefan Uroš V,whose reign was marked by the weakening of the central authority and the gradual disintegration of the SerbianEmpire. Vukašin's personal holdings included lands in western Macedonia, Kosovo and Metohija. In 1370 or 1371,he crowned Marko "young king"; this title included the possibility that Marko succeed the childless Uroš on theSerbian throne.On 26 September 1371, Vukašin was defeated and killed by the Ottomans in the Battle of Maritsa, and about twomonths later Tsar Uroš died. This formally made Marko the king of the Serbian land; however, great Serbiannoblemen, who had become effectively independent from the central authority, did not even consider to recognizehim as their supreme ruler. At an uncertain date after 1371, he became an Ottoman vassal. By 1377 significant partsof the territory he inherited from Vukašin, were seized by other noblemen. King Marko in reality came to be aregional lord who ruled over the relatively small territory in western Macedonia. He funded the construction of theMonastery of Saint Demetrius near Skopje, better known as Marko's Monastery, finished in 1376. Marko lost his lifeon 17 May 1395, fighting on the Ottoman side against Wallachians in the Battle of Rovine.Although he was a ruler of modest historical significance, Marko became a major character of South Slavic oral tradition. In Serbian epic poetry he is named Kraljević Marko, which is rendered as "Prince Marko" in English

Prince Marko 55

translations of the poetry; kraljević means "king's son". He is venerated as a national hero by the Serbs andBulgarians, remembered in the Balkan folklore as a fearless and powerful protector of the weak, who fought againstinjustice and confronted Turkish bullies during the earlier period of the Ottoman occupation.

Life

Until 1371Marko was born in c. 1335 as the first son of Vukašin Mrnjavčević and his wife Alena.[1] The patronymic"Mrnjavčević" comes from Mrnjava, described by 17th-century Ragusan historian Mavro Orbin as a minornobleman from Zachlumia (in present-day Herzegovina and southern Dalmatia).[2] By Orbin, Mrnjava's sons wereborn in Livno in western Bosnia,[2] where he could have moved to after Zachlumia was annexed by Bosnia in1326.[3] The Mrnjavčević familyn.b.1 may have later supported Serbian Tsar Dušan in his preparations to invadeBosnia, as did other Zachlumian nobles, and fearing punishment, emigrated to the Serbian Empire before the warstarted.[3] [4] These preparations possibly began two years ahead of the invasion,[4] which took place in 1350. Fromthat year comes the earliest written reference to Marko's father Vukašin, denoting him as Dušan's appointed župan(district governor) of Prilep,[3] [5] which had been acquired by Serbia from Byzantium in 1334 together with otherparts of Macedonia.[6] In 1355 the tsar suddenly died of a stroke at the age of about 47.[7]

Dušan was succeeded by his 19-years-old son Uroš, who apparently regarded Marko Mrnjavčević as a man of trust.The new tsar appointed him the head of the embassy he sent to Ragusa at the end of July 1361, to negotiate peacebetween the Empire and the Ragusan Republic during the hostilities that started earlier that year. The peace was notconcluded on this occasion, but Marko successfully negotiated the release of Serbian merchants from Prizrendetained by the Ragusans. He was also allowed to withdraw the silver his family had deposited in the city. Theaccount of that embassy in a Ragusan document contains the earliest known undisputed reference to MarkoMrnjavčević.[8] An inscription written in 1356 on a wall of a church in the Macedonian region of Tikveš, mentions aNikola and a Marko as governors in that region, but the indentity of this Marko is disputable.[9]

Dušan's death was followed by the stirring of separatist activity in the Serbian Empire. The southwestern territories,including Epirus, Thessaly, and lands in southern Albania, seceded already by 1357.[10] The core of the stateremained loyal to the new Tsar Uroš. It consisted of three main regions: the western lands, including Zeta andTravunia with the upper Drina Valley; the central Serbian lands; and Macedonia.[11] Nevertheless, great localnoblemen asserted more and more independence from Uroš' authority even in that part of the state that remainedSerbian. Uroš was weak and unable to counteract these separatist tendencies, becoming an inferior power in his ownrealm.[12] Serbian lords also fought each other over territories and influence.[13]

Prince Marko 56

Marko's father King Vukašin, a fresco in the PsačaMonastery, Macedonia.

Vukašin Mrnjavčević was a skillful politician, and graduallyassumed the main role in the Empire.[14] In August or September1365, Uroš crowned him king, making him his co-ruler. By 1370,Marko's potential patrimony increased as Vukašin expanded hispersonal holdings from Prilep further into Macedonia, Kosovo andMetohija, acquiring Prizren, Priština, Novo Brdo, Skopje, andOhrid.[3] In a charter he issued on 5 April 1370, Vukašin mentionedhis wife Queen Alena, and his sons Marko and Andrijaš, describinghimself as the Lord of the Serbian Land, of the Greeks, and of theWestern Provinces (господинь зємли срьбьскои и грькѡмь изападнимь странамь).[15] In late 1370 or early 1371, Vukašincrowned Marko "young king".[16] This title had been given to heirspresumptive of Serbian kings to secure their position as successors tothe throne. Since Uroš was childless, Marko could thus become hissuccessor, starting a new—Vukašin's—dynasty of Serbiansovereigns.[3] This would mean the end of the two-centuries-longreign of the House of Nemanjić. Most of the other Serbian lordswere not happy with this situation, which strengthened theiraspirations towards independence from the central authority.[16]

Vukašin wanted to obtain a well-connected spouse for his eldest son Marko. A girl of the Croatian House of Šubićfrom Dalmatia, was sent by her father Grgur to the court of their relative Tvrtko I, the ban of Bosnia, to be raised andsuitably married by Tvrtko's mother Jelena. The latter was daughter of George II Šubić (Juraj II), whose maternalgrandfather was Serbian King Dragutin Nemanjić.[17] As the ban and his mother approved of Vukašin's idea to marrythe Šubić girl to Marko, the wedding was about to be held.[18] [19] In April 1370, however, Pope Urban V sent aletter to Tvrtko in which he forbade him to give the Catholic lady in marriage to the "son of His Magnificence theKing of Serbia, a schismatic" (filio magnifici viri Regis Rascie scismatico).[19] The pope also wrote about thisimpending "offence to the Christian faith" to King Louis I of Hungary, the nominal overlord of the ban,[20] and thatmarriage never happened.[18] Marko married Jelena daughter of Radoslav Hlapen, the lord of Beroea and Edessa, themajor Serbian nobleman in southern Macedonia.[21]

In the spring of 1371, Marko participated in the preparations for a campaign against Nikola Altomanović, the majorlord in the west of the Empire. The campaign was planned jointly by King Vukašin and Đurađ I Balšić, the lord ofZeta, who was married to Olivera, the king's daughter. In July that year, Vukašin and Marko camped with their armyoutside Scutari, on Balšić's territory, ready to make an incursion towards Onogošt in Altomanović's land. The attacknever happened, as the Ottomans threatened the land of Despot Jovan Uglješa, the lord of Serres, Vukašin's youngerbrother who ruled in eastern Macedonia. The forces of the Mrnjavčevićs were quickly directed eastward.[22] Havingin vain looked for allies, the two brothers finally entered with their own troops into the territory controlled by theOttomans. At the Battle of Maritsa on 26 September 1371, the Turks annihilated the Serbian army; not even thebodies of Vukašin and Jovan Uglješa were ever found. The place where it was fought, near the village of Ormenio inthe east of present-day Greece, has ever since been called Sırp Sındığı "Serbian Rout" in Turkish. The outcome ofthis battle had serious consequences—it actually opened up the Balkans to the Turks.[23] [24]

Prince Marko 57

After 1371

Approximate borders of the territory ruled by KingMarko after 1377 (shown in the darker green).

When his father died, "young king" Marko legally became a kingand the co-ruler of Tsar Uroš. Soon afterwards came the end of theNemanjić dynasty, when Uroš died on 2 or 4 December 1371,which formally made Marko the sovereign of the Serbian state.Serbian lords, however, did not even consider to recognize him astheir supreme ruler,[25] and the separatism within the stateincreased even more.[23] After the demise of the two brothers andthe destruction of their armies, the House of Mrnjavčević was leftwithout any real power.[25] Lords surrounding Marko took theopportunity and seized significant parts of his patrimony. By 1372,Đurađ I Balšić grabbed Prizren and Peć, and Prince LazarHrebeljanović took Priština. By 1377 Vuk Branković acquiredSkopje, and Albanian magnate Andrija Gropa became practicallyindependent in Ohrid. The latter possibly remained a vassal toMarko as he had been to Vukašin.[23] [26] Gropa's son-in-law wasMarko's relative Ostoja Rajaković of the clan of Ugarčić fromTravunia. He was one of the Serbian nobles from Zachlumia and Travunia (adjacent principalities in present-dayHerzegovina) who had received lands in the newly-conquered parts of Macedonia during Tsar Dušan's reign.[27]

The remains of King Marko's fortress above Prilep, known asMarkovi Kuli "Marko's towers".

The only significant town that Marko kept was Prilep,from which his father's rise had started. So, KingMarko in reality became a petty prince who ruled overa relatively small territory in western Macedonia,bordered in the north by Mount Šar and Skopje, in theeast by the Vardar and the Crna Reka Rivers, and in thewest by Ohrid. The southern limits of his territory areuncertain.[21] Marko was not the sole ruler even in thislittle domain, as he shared it with his younger brotherAndrijaš, who had his own land in it.[23] Their motherQueen Alena became a nun after Vukašin's death,taking the monastic name Jelisaveta, but she was theco-ruler with Andrijaš for some time after 1371. Theyoungest brother Dmitar lived on the territorycontrolled by Andrijaš. There was yet another brother

named Ivaniš, about whom very little is known.[28] The exact date when Marko became an Ottoman vassal isuncertain, but it probably did not happen immediately after the Battle of Maritsa.[29]

At some point, Marko separated from his spouse Jelena and lived with Todora, the wife of a Grgur. Jelena returnedto her father Radoslav Hlapen in Beroea. Marko later sought to reconcile with her, but to get his wedded wife back,he first had to send Todora to Hlapen. As Marko's domain was bordered to the south by Hlapen's land, thisreconciliation may have been motivated by the fact that Marko did not want an enemy in the south, after all thoseterritorial losses he had in the north.[21] That this marital episode is known is due to scribe Dobre, a subject ofMarko's. Dobre transcribed a liturgical book for the church in the village of Kaluđerec,n.b.2 and when he finished thejob, he wrote an inscription in the book which begins as follows:[30]

Prince Marko 58

Слава сьвршитєлю богѹ вь вѣкы, аминь, а҃мнь, а҃м.Пыса сє сиꙗ книга ѹ Порѣчи, ѹ сєлѣ зовомьКалѹгєрєць, вь дьны благовѣрнаго кралꙗ Марка,ѥгда ѿдадє Ѳодору Грьгѹровѹ жєнѹ Хлапєнѹ, аѹзє жєнѹ свою прьвовѣнчанѹ Ѥлєнѹ,Хлапєновѹ дьщєрє.

Glory to God the Finisher for ever and ever, amen, amen,amen. This book was written in Porečje, in the villagecalled Kaluđerec, in the days of the pious King Marko,when he handed over Todora the wife of Grgur to Hlapen,and took back his first-wedded wife Jelena, Hlapen'sdaughter.

The fresco ensemble above the south entrance to the church ofMarko's Monastery. It comprises the images of King Marko (left)

and King Vukašin (right, rather damaged), complemented by asemicircle of seven saintly busts, all of which frame the portrait of

Saint Demetrius.

Marko's fortress was situated on a hill to the north ofpresent-day Prilep. Its remains, partially wellpreserved, are called Markovi Kuli "Marko's towers".Beneath the fortress lies the village named Varoš—thesite of medieval Prilep. The village contains theMonastery of Archangel Michael renovated by Markoand Vukašin, whose portraits are depicted on the wallsof the monastery's church.[21] Marko was the ktetor ofthe Church of Saint Sunday in Prizren, which wasfinished in 1371, just before the Battle of Maritsa. Inthe inscription above the church's entrance, he is titled"young king"[31]

The Monastery of Saint Demetrius, popularly known asMarko's Monastery, is situated at the village ofMarkova Sušica near Skopje. Its construction lastedfrom c. 1345 to 1376 or 1377. Kings Marko andVukašin, its ktetors, are portrayed above the southernentrance of the monastery's church.[1] Marko isrepresented as an austere-looking man in purpleclothes, wearing a crown adorned with strings of pearls. With his left hand he holds a scroll, the text on which beginswith the words: "I, in the Christ God the pious King Marko, built and inscribed this divine temple..." In his righthand he holds a big horn that symbolizes the horn of oil with which the Old Testament kings were anointed at theirenthronement (as described, e.g., in 1 Samuel 16:13). According to an interpretation, Marko is shown here as theking chosen and anointed by God to lead his people in the times of crisis after the Battle of Maritsa.[25]

Prince Marko 59

A silver coin minted byKing Marko with the

reverse depicting Christseated on a throne.

Marko minted his own money, as did his father and other Serbian nobles of the time.[32]

His silver coins weighed 1.11 grams,[33] and were produced in three types. In two ofthem, the obverse contained this text in five lines:ВЬХА/БАБЛГОВ/ѢРНИКР/АЛЬМА/РКО "In the Christ God, the pious KingMarko". The reverse depicted Christ seated on a throne in the first type, and Christ seatedin a mandorla in the second. In the third type, the reverse represented Christ in amandorla, and the obverse contained the text in four lines:БЛГО/ВѢРНИ/КРАЛЬ/МАРКО "Pious King Marko".[34] With this simple titleMarko referred to himself also in the aforementioned church inscription. He did notinclude any territorial designation in his title, probably in tacit acknowledgment of hislimited sway.[21] His brother Andrijaš also minted his own money; still the money supplyon the territory ruled by the Mrnjavčević brothers mostly consisted of the coins that hadbeen struck by King Vukašin and Tsar Uroš.[35] It is estimated that about 150 pieces ofMarko's coins are kept today in various numismatic collections.[34]

By 1379, Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic, the lord of Pomoravlje, emerged as the first andmost powerful among Serbian nobles. In his signatures, he titled himself as theAutokrator of all the Serbs (самодрьжць вьсѣмь Србьлѥмь); nevertheless, he was

not powerful enough to unite all Serbian lands under his authority. The Houses of Balšić and Mrnjavčević,Konstantin Dragaš (maternally a Nemanjić), Vuk Branković, and Radoslav Hlapen, ruled in their respective domainswithout consulting with Lazar.[29] [36] Another king besides Marko advanced on the political scene: in 1377, theMetropolitan of Mileševa crowned Tvrtko I, maternally related to the House of Nemanjić, King of the Serbs and ofBosnia. He had previously taken some western parts of the former Serbian Empire.[37]

On 28 June 1389, Serbian forces led by Prince Lazar, Vuk Branković, and Tvrtko's nobleman Vlatko Vuković ofZachlumia, confronted the Ottoman army led by Sultan Murad I. This was the Battle of Kosovo—the most famousbattle in Serbia’s medieval history. The bulk of both armies was wiped out; both Lazar and Murad lost their lives.The battle was a draw,[38] yet in the wake of it the Serbs were left with too few men to effectively defend their lands,while the Turks had many more troops in the east. Consequently, the Serbian principalities that were not alreadyOttoman vassals, one after the other became so in the following years.[38]

In 1394 a group of Ottoman vassals in the Balkans decided to renounce their vassalage. Marko was not one of them,but his younger brothers Andrijaš and Dmitar refused to remain under the Turkish dominance. In the spring of 1394they left their homeland and emigrated to the Kingdom of Hungary, entering into the service of King Sigismund.They travelled via Ragusa, where they withdrew two thirds of their late father's deposit of 96.73 kilograms of silver,the remaining third being left for Marko.[39] Andrijaš and Dmitar were the first Serbian nobles who emigrated toHungary: the northward migration of the Serbs would continue throughout the Turkish occupation.[40]

In 1395 the Turks assailed Wallachia to punish its ruler Mircea I for his incursions into their territory. On theOttoman side fought three vassals: King Marko, Konstantin Dragaš, and Despot Stefan Lazarević, the son and heir ofPrince Lazar. So it happened that Christians were forced to help the Muslim Ottomans in their fight against otherChristians. The Battle of Rovine took place on 17 May 1395, and was won by the Wallachians. King Marko andKonstantin Dragaš were killed in it. After their deaths, the Turks annexed their lands, and combined them into asingle Ottoman province centered in Kyustendil.[41] Thirty six years past the Battle of Rovine, Konstantin thePhilosopher wrote the Biography of Despot Stefan Lazarević. In this book Konstantin recorded an account of whatMarko said to Dragaš on the eve of the battle: "I pray the Lord to help the Christians, no matter if I will be the first todie in this war."[42]

Prince Marko 60

In folk poetry

Serbian epic poetryMarko Mrnjavčević is the most popular hero of the Serbian epic poetry,[43] in which he is referred to as KraljevićMarko; kraljević, translated as "prince",[43] means "king's son". This informal title was often attached to the names ofKing Vukašin's sons in the contemporary sources. It was also used postpositively as a surname: Marko Kraljević.n.b.3

The title/surname was adopted by the Serbian oral tradition, and became an integral part of the hero's name.[44]

A Herzegovinian sings to the gusle (drawing from1823). Serbian epic poems were often sung to theaccompaniment of this traditional bowed string

instrument.

The poems about Kraljević Marko are not sequels that continue thesame story line—the only thing that binds them into a single poeticcycle is the hero himself.[45] His adventures are narrated with the goalto illuminate his character and personality.[46] The epic Marko wasendowed with the life of 300 years, and other prominent heroes fromthe 14th to the 16th centuries appear sometimes as his companions,[45]

including Miloš Obilić, Relja Krilatica, Vuk the Fiery Dragon, andSibinjanin Janko with his nephew Banović Sekula.[47] The poemscontain few historical facts about Marko Mrnjavčević, notably hisconnection to the epoch of disintegration of the Serbian Empire, andhis vassalage to the Ottomans.[45] They were composed byanonymous Serbian folk bards during the Ottoman occupation of theirland. American Slavicist George Rapall Noyes characterized them as"combining tragic pathos with almost ribald comedy in a fashionworthy of an Elizabethan playwright."[43]

The Serbian epic poetry accords with the historical fact that KingVukašin was Marko's father. It asserts that his mother was Jevrosima,the sister of Voivode Momčilo, the lord of the Pirlitor Fortress inMount Durmitor (in Old Herzegovina). He is described as a man ofimmense size and strength, possessing magical attributes: a wingedhorse and a sabre with eyes. Vukašin murdered him with the help ofthe voivode's young wife Vidosava, despite Jevrosima'sself-sacrificing attempt to save her brother. Instead of marryingVidosava, as was the initial plan, Vukašin killed the treacherouswoman. He took Jevrosima from Pirlitor to his capital city of Scutari

and wedded her, as the dying Momčilo had actually advised him to do. She bore him two sons, Marko and Andrijaš,and the poem recounting these events concludes with the statement that Marko took after his uncle Momčilo.[48] Thisepic character corresponds historically to the Bulgarian brigand and mercenary Momchil, who was for some time inthe service of Serbian Tsar Dušan; he later became a despot and died in 1345 in the Battle of Peritheorion.[49]

According to another account, Marko and Andrijaš were born by a vila (a Slavic mountain nymph), whom Vukašinwedded after he caught her by a lake and took off her wings so that she could not fly away.[50]

Prince Marko 61

Marko Kraljević, statue by Ivan Meštrović.

As Marko matured he developed a strong individuality, and Vukašinonce declared that he had no control over his son, who went whereverhe wanted, drank and brawled. Marko grew up into an extraordinarilylarge and strong man, with a rather terrifying appearance which was atthe same time somewhat comical. He wore a wolf-skin cap pulled lowover his dark eyes; his massive black mustache was as large as asix-months-old lamb; his cloak was a shaggy wolf-pelt. A Damascussabre swung at his girdle and a spear was slung across his back.Marko's six-flanged mace weighed 66 okas (85 kilograms), which hehung at the left side of his saddle, balancing it with a well-filledwineskin attached to the saddle's right side. His grip was such that hecould squeeze drops of water out of a piece of dry cornel wood. Hedefeated a succession of the greatest champions, fighting triumphantlyagainst overwhelming odds.[45] [46]

The hero's inseparable companion and friend was his piebaldwonder-horse Šarac, who could talk. When Marko drank he alwaysgave Šarac an equal share of the wine.[46] The horse could leap threespear-lengths high and four spear-lengths forward, which enabledMarko to pursue and capture the dangerous and elusive vila called Ravijojla. She then became his sister-in-God,promising to aid him if he should ever be in evil straits. When Ravijojla helped him to kill the monstrous,three-hearted Musa the Outlaw, who almost defeated him, Marko grieved because he had slain a better man thanhimself.[51] [52]

Marko is portrayed as a protector of the weak and helpless, a fighter against Turkish bullies and against injustice ingeneral. He acted as an ideal bearer of patriarchal and natural norms of life: amidst a Turkish military camp, hebeheaded the Turk who dishonorably killed his father; he abolished the marriage tax by killing the tyrant whoimposed it on the people of Kosovo; he saved the sultan's daughter from an unwanted marriage, after she entreatedhim as her brother-in-God to help her; he rescued three Serbian voivodes, his brothers-in-God, from a dungeon; hehelped animals in trouble. He is shown as a rescuer and benefactor of people, promoter of life; "Prince Marko isremembered like a fair day in the year," as is stated in a poem.[45]

A striking characteristic of Marko's was his devotion to his mother Jevrosima, for whom he cherished a limitlessreverence and love. He constantly sought her advice and obeyed it even when it contradicted his own impulses anddesires. She lived with Marko at his mansion in Prilep, shining as his lodestar that led him toward the good and awayfrom the evil, along the path of moral improvement and Christian virtues.[53] Marko's honesty and high moralcourage are conspicuous in the poem in which he happened to be the only person who knew the will of the late TsarDušan regarding his heir. Marko refused to bear false witness in favor of the pretenders—his own father anduncles—and spoke out the truth that Dušan had appointed his son Uroš heir to the Serbian throne. This almost costhim life as Vukašin tried to kill him.[46]

Marko is also represented as a loyal vassal to the Ottoman sultan, fighting to protect the potentate and his empirefrom dangerous outlaws. When summoned by the sultan, he participated in Turkish military campaigns.[45] Yet evenin this relationship, the hero's strong personality and sense of dignity were expressed. More than once the sultanactually showed anxiety towards his burly, wayward vassal during face-to-face interactions with him.[46] Theinterviews between Marko and his imperial master usually ended in this way:

Prince Marko 62

Цар с' одмиче, а Марко примиче,Док доћера цара до дувара;Цар се маши у џепове руком,Те извади стотину дуката,Па их даје Краљевићу Марку:"Иди, Марко, напиј ми се вина."[54]

The Sultan went backwards and Marko followed after,

Until he drave him even to the wall.

Right so the Sultan put hand in pocket

And drew forth an hundred ducats,

And gave them to Kraljević Marko.

"Go, Marko," quoth he, "drink thy fill of wine."[55]

Marko's fealty was skilfully combined with the suggestion that the nominal servant was in reality greater than hislord. Serbian bards thus reversed the roles and turned the tables on their conquerors. This dual aspect of Marko couldbe a reason why he became a national hero of the Serbs: for them he grew into "the proud symbol expressive of theunbroken spirit that lived on in spite of disaster and defeat,"[46] as stated by David Halyburton Low, translator ofSerbian epic poems.In fights Marko used not only his strength and prowess but also cunning and trickery. Despite all the extraordinaryqualities, he was not depicted as some abstract superhero or a god, but as a mortal man. There were opponents in thepresence of whom his courage halted and those who surpassed him in strength; there were times when his spiritquailed. He had his evil moments, when he acted capricious, short-tempered, or even with cruelty, but these werefew in number. The prevailing traits of the hero's nature were honesty, self-sacrificing loyalty, and the fundamentalgoodness.[46]

With his comically stylized appearance and behavior, and his wry remarks at opponents' expense, Marko is regardedas the most humorous character in the Serbian epic poetry.[45] When a Moor smote him with a mace, the hero spoketo the attacker laughingly, "O valiant black Moor! Are you jesting or smiting in earnest?"[56] Jevrosima once advisedher son to cease from his bloody adventures and to plough fields. He obeyed, but in his grimly humorous way,[46]

ploughing the sultan's highway instead of fields. There came a group of Turkish Janissaries, who transported threepacks of gold. They shouted at him to stop ploughing the highway, to which he responded by warning them to keepoff the furrows. Marko quickly wearied of the exchange of words:

Диже Марко рало и волове,Те он поби Турке јањичаре,Пак узима три товара блага,Однесе их својој старој мајци:"То сам тебе данас изорао."[57]

He swung plough and oxen on high,

And slew therewith the Turkish Janissaries.

Then he took the three charges of gold,

And brought them to his mother,

"Behold," quoth he, "what I have ploughed for thee this day."[58]

The death of Prince Marko, painting by Novak Radonić (1848).

Marko, aged 300 years, rode on 160-years-old Šarac by theseashore towards Mount Urvina, when a vila told him thathe was going to die. Marko then stooped over a well andsaw no reflection of his head from the water, hydromancythus confirming the vila's words. He killed Šarac lest Turkscapture and use him for menial labor, and gave his belovedcompanion an elaborate burial. He broke his sword andspear and threw his mace far out into the sea, before lyingdown to die. The hero's body was found seven days later byVaso, the abbot of the Monastery of Hilandar on MountAthos, and his deacon Isaija. Abbot Vaso transportedMarko to Mount Athos and buried him at the monastery,leaving no sign of his grave.[59]

Prince Marko 63

Epic poetry of Bulgaria and MacedoniaKrali Marko has been one of the most popular characters in Bulgarian folklore for centuries.[60] Bulgarian epic talesin general and those about Krali Marko in particular are found mainly in the Southwestern part of the Bulgarianethnic area,[61] much of it on the territory of the present-day Republic of Macedonia. Therefore, the same tales arealso seen as part of the ethnic heritage of the present-day Macedonian nation, which had not yet come to be regardedas an entity independent from the Bulgarian ethnicity at the time when most of the songs were recorded.According to the local legends, Marko's mother was Evrosiya (Евросия), sister of the Bulgarian voivoda Momchil,who ruled territories in the Rhodope Mountains. At the birth of Krali Marko, three narecnitsi (fate-fairies) appearedand foretold that he would become a hero and replace his father, the king. When king Volkašin heard this he threwhis son in a basket in the river to get rid of him. But a samodiva (also called samovila) named Vila found Marko andbrought him up, becoming his foster mother. Because Marko suckled the samodiva's milk, he acquired supernaturalpowers. He is portrayed as a Bulgarian fighter for freedom against the Turks. He has a winged horse, calledSharkolia (meaning Dappled) and a stepsister — the samodiva Gyura. The Bulgarian legends incorporate importantfragments of pagan mythology and beliefs, even though the Marko epos itself was created as late as the 14-18thcentury. Among Bulgarian epic songs, songs from the cycle about Krali Marko are particularly common and occupya central place in it.[62] [63] [64] Some prominent Bulgarian folklorists who collected stories about Marko are teacherTrayko Kitanchev (in the region of Resen in Western Macedonia), and Marko Cepenkov from Prilep (in differentareas in the region).[65]

Prince Marko is known as Deli Marko in Bulgarian tradition and Marko Viteazul in Romanian folk legends.

In legendsSouth Slavic legends about Kraljević Marko or Krali Marko are mostly based on mythological motifs that are mucholder than the historical Marko Mrnjavčević. There are differences between the hero's image in the legends and thatin the folk poems. In some areas he was imagined as a giant who walked stepping on hilltops, his head knocking theclouds. It was also narrated that he helped God in shaping the Earth in ancient times, and created the river gorge ofDemir Kapija ("Iron Gate") with a stroke of his sabre. Thus he drained the sea that covered the regions of Bitola,Mariovo, and Tikveš in Macedonia, which enabled people to inhabit them. After the Earth was shaped, he took toarrogantly showing off his strength. God took it away from him by leaving a bag as heavy as the Earth on a road:when Marko tried to lift it, he lost his gigantic strength and became an ordinary man.[66]

Legends also have it that the hero acquired his strength after he was suckled by a vila. King Vukašin threw his littleson Marko into a river, because he did not resemble him, but the boy was saved by a cowherd who adopted him as ason, and the vila suckled him. By other accounts, Marko was a shepherd or a cowherd who found a vila's childrenlost in a mountain, and made a shade for them against the scorching son, or gave them water. As a reward, the vilasuckled him three times, after which he was able to lift and throw a huge boulder. In an Istrian version of this story,he made a shade for two snakes instead of the children. In a Bulgarian version, each of the three draughts of milkthat he suckled from the vila's breast, turned into a snake.[66]

He was regularly associated with huge solitary boulders and indentations in rocks. The boulders were said to bethrown by Marko from a hill, the indentations being his footprints or those of his horse.[66] He was also connectedwith other geographic objects, such as hills, glens, cliffs, caves, rivers, brooks, and groves, which he created or didsomething memorable at. They were often named after him, so there are many toponyms from Istria in the west toBulgaria in the east that are derived from the hero's name.[67]

Marko's wonder-horse was a gift from a vila by some legends, while a Serbian story gives the following account. He was looking for a horse that could bear him. To test a steed, he would grab him by the tail and sling him over his shoulder. Noticing a leprous piebald foal owned by some carters, he grabbed him by the tail, but could not move him at all. Marko bought and cured the foal, naming him Šarac (after šara "dapple"). He grew up into an enormously

Prince Marko 64

powerful horse, becoming the hero's inseparable companion.[68] A legend from Macedonia has it that Marko, on avila's advice, captured a sick horse in a mountain and cured him. The patches on his skin that had been covered withcrusts grew white hairs, so the hero's horse became piebald. In stories from Bulgaria and Macedonia, Marko had asister who was as strong as he, and competed with him in throwing boulders.[66]

According to folk traditions the hero never died, but lives on in a cave, in a den covered with moss, or in anunknown land.[66] A Serbian legend recounts that Marko once fought in a battle in which so many men were killedthat the fighters and their horses ended up swimming in blood. He lifted up his hands towards heaven and said, "OGod, what am I going to do now!" God took pity on Marko transporting him and Šarac into a cave, where the herostuck his sabre into the rock and fell asleep. There is some moss in the cave, which Šarac eats bit by bit, while thesabre slowly comes out of the rock. When it falls down after it completely emerges, and the horse eats all of themoss, Marko will awake and reappear in the world.[68] Some people allegedly saw him after they descended into adeep pit, where he lived in a large house in front of which his horse was also seen. Others saw him in a faraway land,dwelling in a cave. According to a tradition from Macedonia, Marko drank of "eagle's water" which made himimmortal, and he now accompanies Prophet Elijah in heaven.[66]

In modern culture

LiteratureIn 19th century, Marko was the subject of multiple dramatizations. In 1831, Hungarian drama Prince Marko wasshown in Budim, possibly written by István Balog[69] and in 1838 Hungarian drama Prince Marko - Great SerbianHero by Celesztin Pergő was shown in Arad[69] . In 1848 Jovan Sterija Popović wrote the tragedy San MarkaKraljevića [The Dream of Prince Marko] which has the legend of sleeping Marko as its central motif. PetarPreradović wrote the drama Kraljević Marko which glorifies the strength of the South Slavs. In 1863, FrancescoDall'Ongaro presented his Italian drama Resurrection of Prince Marko[69] .American Slavicist Clarence A. Manning wrote a novelization of Marko's life Marko, The King's Son: Hero of TheSerbs, published in New York in 1932. Marko is also the titular character in Marguerite Yourcenar's short storyMarko's Smile, published in the volume Oriental Tales. His character, while showing extraordinary courage andendurance, is at the same time portrayed as a selfish and ruthless man who does not fight for any particular ideals.Other authors choose to parody Marko's adventures. Radoje Domanović wrote the satirical story Kraljević Marko podrugi put među Srbima [Prince Marko among the Serbs for the Second Time] in which God fulfills Marko's wish andbrings him back to life to help the Serbs who are calling him for hundreds of years. The story portrays Serbs ofDomanović's time as unworthy of their forefathers and heroes. Multiple modern authors have carried this evenfurther, writing stories such as Prince Marko among the Serbs for the Third Time or Prince Marko among the Serbsfor the Fourth Time, updated with modern events. In 2006 Boris Starešina wrote the book Kraljević Marko:Natprirodni ciklus pjesama [Prince Marko: Supernatural Cycle of Poems], which parodies Serbian epic poems. InStarešina's poems Marko fights aliens, samurais, canibals, Superman's great-great-grandfather, and other enemies.Some recent Balkan epic fantasy writers also reuse Marko. Boriana Balin, a Bulgarian writer of historical andfantasy stories has a book Vechniyat Konnik [Eternal Rider] published in Bulgarian. The book deals with the life ofMarko's father Valkashin as well as the life and death of the legendary hero himself. Similarly, Marko is one of theprincipal characters of the Kosingas fantasy series by Serbian writer Aleksandar Tešić.

Prince Marko 65

Visual arts

Ivan Meštrović's sculpture of Marko on Šarac on50 Yugoslav dinars banknote.

Of all the epic or historical figures of Serbian history, Marko isconsidered to have given the most inspiration to visual artists[70] . VukKaradžić wrote that in his childhood (late 18th century) he saw apainting of Marko carrying an ox on his back.[68] 19th century artistswho portrayed Marko include Mina Karadžić or Novak Radonić; 20thcentury Paja Jovanović or Ivan Meštrović; all the way to modernillustrators such as Bane Kerac.

Popular culture

Counting on the popularity of the epic hero, the Prilep breweryintroduced in 1966 a light beer called Krali Marko.

Notesn.b.1 The family name "Mrnjavčević" was not mentioned in the contemporary sources, nor was any other surnameassociated with this family. The oldest known source mentioning the name "Mrnjavčević" is Ruvarčev rodoslov "TheGenealogy of Ruvarac", written between 1563 and 1584. It is unknown whether it was introduced into the Genealogyfrom some older source, or from the folk poetry and tradition.[71]

n.b.2 This liturgical book, acquired in the 19th century by Russian collector Aleksey Khludov, is kept today in theState Historical Museum of Russia.n.b.3 The name Despotović ("despot's son") was applied in a similar way to Uglješa, the son of Despot JovanUglješa, King Vukašin's younger brother.[44]

[1] Fostikov 2002, pp.49–50.[2] Orbin 1968, p.116.[3] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, pp.362–3.[4] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.323.[5] Stojanović 1902, p.37.[6] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.288.[7] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.335.[8] Mihaljčić 1975, p.51. Ćorović 2001, " Распад Српске Царевине (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ rastko-bl/ istorija/ corovic/ istorija/ 3_9. html)".[9] Mihaljčić 1975, p.77.[10] Šuica 2000, p.15.[11] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.358.[12] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.345.[13] Šuica 2000, p.19.[14] Mihaljčić 1975, p.83.[15] Miklošič 1858, p.180 (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ monumentaserbic00miklgoog#page/ n200/ mode/ 1up), № CLXVII.[16] Šuica 2000, p.20.[17] Fajfrić (2000), " Први Котроманићи (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ zfajfric-kotromanici_c. html#_Toc486040898)".[18] Jireček 1911, p.430 (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ geschichtederser00jire#page/ 430/ mode/ 1up).[19] Theiner 1860, p.97 (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ p1veteramonument02thei#page/ 97/ mode/ 1up), № CXC.[20] Theiner 1860, p.97 (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ p1veteramonument02thei#page/ 97/ mode/ 1up), № CLXXXIX.[21] Mihaljčić 1975, pp.170–1.[22] Mihaljčić 1975, p.137. Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.377.[23] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, pp.379–82.[24] Ćorović 2001, " Маричка погибија (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ rastko-bl/ istorija/ corovic/ istorija/ 3_10. html)".[25] Mihaljčić 1975, p.168.[26] Šuica 2000, pp.35–6.[27] Šuica 2000, p.42.[28] Fostikov 2002, p.51.[29] Mihaljčić 1975, pp.164–5.

Prince Marko 66

[30] Stojanović 1902, pp.58–9[31] Mihaljčić 1975, p.166.[32] Mihaljčić 1975, p.181.[33] Šuica 2000, pp.133–6.[34] Mandić 2003, pp.24–5.[35] Mihaljčić 1975, p.183.[36] Mihaljčić 1975, p.220.[37] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.393.[38] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, pp.408–11.[39] Fostikov 2002, pp.52–3.[40] Fostikov 2002, p.47.[41] Van Antwerp Fine 1994, p.424.[42] Konstantin 2000, " О погибији краља Марка и Константина Драгаша (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ liturgicka/

konstantin-zitije_desp_stefana_c. html)".[43] Noyes 1913, " Introduction (http:/ / www. sacred-texts. com/ neu/ hbs/ hbs04. htm)".[44] Rudić 2001, p.89.[45] Deretić 2000, " Епска повесница српског народа (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ jderetic_knjiz/ jderetic-knjiz_05_c. html)".[46] Low 1922, " The Marko of the Ballads (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ n35/ mode/ 2up)".[47] Popović 1988, pp.24–8.[48] Low 1922, " The Marriage of King Vukašin (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ n47/ mode/ 2up)".[49] Ćorović 2001, " Стварање српског царства (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ rastko-bl/ istorija/ corovic/ istorija/ 3_7. html)".[50] Bogišić 1878, pp. 231–2 (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ narodnepjesmeiz00bogigoog#page/ n411/ mode/ 2up).[51] Low 1922, " Marko Kraljević and the Vila (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ 20/ mode/ 2up)"[52] Low 1922, " Marko Kraljević and Musa the Outlaw (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ 124/ mode/

2up)"[53] Popović 1988, pp.70–7.[54] Karadžić 2000, " Марко Краљевић познаје очину сабљу (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ usmena/ vkaradzic-pesme_II_c.

html#_Toc494261502)".[55] Low 1922, p.73 (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ 73/ mode/ 1up).[56] Karadžić 2000, " Марко Краљевић укида свадбарину (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ usmena/ vkaradzic-pesme_II_c.

html#_Toc494261514)".[57] Karadžić 2000, " Орање Марка Краљевића (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ usmena/ vkaradzic-pesme_II_c. html#_Toc494261518)".[58] Low 1922, " Marko's Ploughing (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ 158/ mode/ 1up)".[59] Low 1922, " The Death of Marko Kraljević (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ 174/ mode/ 2up)".[60] Volume 2 of Shaping the Superman: Fascist Body as Political Icon, p. 88. (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=FJojVDgQt-4C&

pg=PA88& dq=krali+ marko+ Bulgarian& lr=#v=onepage& q=krali marko macedonian& f=false)[61] Българско народно творчество в 12 тома. Том 1. Юнашки песни. (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20071015095416/ http:/ /

bulgarian-orthodox-church. org/ slovo/ narod/ bnt12_1. txt)[62] Studies and Monographs, Textualization of Oral Epics, p.302. (http:/ / books. google. bg/ books?id=vyfOPBtlz54C& pg=PA319&

lpg=PA319& dq=krali+ marko+ Bulgarian+ epic& source=bl& ots=zXY4pwg6Ys& sig=_L-D7vYuThPMF--W7tjusUIYjio& hl=bg&ei=iOaTSob4IZCCnQPy56WnAQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=8#v=onepage& q=krali marko Macedonian epic& f=false)

[63] The River Danube in Balkan Slavic Folksongs, Ethnologia Balkanica (01/1997), Burkhart, Dagmar; Issue: 01/1997 , range Range: 53-60.[64] A history of Macedonian literature 865-1944, Volume 112 of Slavistic printings and reprintings, Charles A. Moser, Publisher Mouton, 1972.[65] Прилеп; зап. Марко Цепенков (СбНУ 2, с. 116-120, № 2 - "Марко грабит Ангелина").[66] Radenković 2001, pp.293–7.[67] Popović 1988, pp.41–2.[68] Karadžić 1852, pp.345–6, s.v. "Марко Краљевић".[69] Šarenac 1996, p. 26[70] Šarenac 1996, p. 06[71] Rudić 2001, p.96.

Prince Marko 67

ReferencesBogišić, Valtazar (1878). Народне пјесме: из старијих, највише приморских записа [Folk poems: fromolder records, mostly from the Littoral] (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/narodnepjesmeiz00bogigoog#page/ n9/ mode/ 2up) (in Serbian). 1. The Internet Archive.Ćorović, Vladimir (November 2001). Историја српског народа [History of the Serbian People] (http:/ /www. rastko. rs/ rastko-bl/ istorija/ corovic/ istorija/ index. html) (in Serbian). Project Rastko.Deretić, Jovan (2000). Кратка историја српске књижевности [Short history of Serbian literature] (http:/ /www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ jderetic_knjiz/ index_c. html) (in Serbian). Project Rastko.Fajfrić, Željko (7 December 2000). Котроманићи (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ istorija/ zfajfric-kotromanici_c.html) (in Serbian). Project Rastko.Fostikov, Aleksandra (2002). "О Дмитру Краљевићу [About Dmitar Kraljević]" (in Serbian). Историјскичасопис [Historical Review] (Belgrade: Istorijski institut) 49. ISSN 0350-0802.Jireček, Konstantin Josef (1911). Geschichte der Serben [History of the Serbs] (http:/ / www. archive. org/stream/ geschichtederser00jire#page/ n9/ mode/ 2up) (in German). 1. The Internet Archive.Karadžić, Vuk Stefanović (1852). Српски рјечник [Serbian dictionary]. Vienna: Vuk Stefanović Karadžić.Karadžić, Vuk Stefanović (11 October 2000). Српске народне пјесме [Serbian folk poems] (http:/ / www.rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ usmena/ vkaradzic-pesme_II_c. html) (in Serbian). 2. Project Rastko.Konstantin the Philosopher (2000). Gordana Jovanović ed. Житије деспота Стефана Лазаревића[Biography of Despot Stefan Lazarević] (http:/ / www. rastko. rs/ knjizevnost/ liturgicka/konstantin-zitije_desp_stefana_c. html) (in Serbian). Project Rastko.Low, David Halyburton (1922). The Ballads of Marko Kraljević (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ n7/ mode/ 2up). The Internet Archive.Mandić, Ranko (2003). "Kraljevići Marko i Andreaš" (in Serbian). Dinar: Numizmatički časopis (Belgrade:Serbian Numismatic Society) № 21. ISSN 1450-5185.Mihaljčić, Rade (1975). Крај Српског царства [The end of the Serbian Empire] (in Serbian). Belgrade:Srpska književna zadruga.Miklošič, Franc (1858). Monumenta serbica spectantia historiam Serbiae Bosnae Ragusii (http:/ / www.archive. org/ stream/ monumentaserbic00miklgoog#page/ n9/ mode/ 1up) (in Serbian and Latin). The InternetArchive.Noyes, George Rapall; Bacon, Leonard (1913). Heroic Ballads of Servia (http:/ / www. sacred-texts. com/neu/ hbs/ index. htm). The Internet Sacred Text Archive.Orbin, Mavro (1968). Franjo Barišić, Radovan Samardžić, Sima M. Ćirković eds. Краљевство Словена [TheRealm of the Slavs] (in Serbian). trans. Zdravko Šundrica. Belgrade: Srpska književna zadruga.Popović, Tatyana (1988). Prince Marko: The Hero of South Slavic Epics. New York: Syracuse UniversityPress. ISBN 0-8156-2444-1.Radenković, Ljubinko (2001). "Краљевић Марко" (in Serbian). Svetlana Mikhaylovna Tolstaya, LjubinkoRadenković eds. Словенска митологија: Енциклопедијски речник [Slavic mythology: Encyclopedicdictionary]. Belgrade: Zepter Book World. ISBN 86-7494-025-0.Rudić, Srđan (2001). "O првом помену презимена Mрњавчевић [On the first mention of the Mrnjavčevićsurname]" (in Serbian). Историјски часопис [Historical Review] (Belgrade: Istorijski institut) 48.ISSN 0350-0802.Stojanović, Ljubomir (1902). Стари српски записи и натписи [Old Serbian inscriptions andsuperscriptions] (in Serbian). 1. Belgrade: Serbian Royal Academy.

Prince Marko 68

Šarenac, Darko (1996) (in Serbian). Марко Краљевић у машти ликовних уметника [Prince Marko inImagination of Visual Artists]. Belgrade: BIPIF. COBISS.SR-ID 79814156. ISBN 86-82175-03-5.Šuica, Marko. (2000). Немирно доба српског средњег века: властела српских обласних господара [Theturbulent era of the Serbian Middle Ages: the noblemen of the Serbian regional lords] (in Serbian). Belgrade:Službeni list SRJ. ISBN 86-355-0452-6.Theiner, Augustin (1860). Vetera monumenta historica Hungariam sacram illustrantia (http:/ / www. archive.org/ stream/ p1veteramonument02thei#page/ n5/ mode/ 2up) (in Latin). 2. The Internet Archive.Van Antwerp Fine, John (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Centuryto the Ottoman Conquest. The University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-08260-4.

External links• The Ballads of Marko Kraljević (http:/ / www. archive. org/ stream/ balladsofmarkokr00lowduoft#page/ n7/

mode/ 2up), translated by David Halyburton Low (1922).• Heroic Ballads of Servia (http:/ / www. sacred-texts. com/ neu/ hbs/ ), translated by George Rapall Noyes and

Leonard Bacon (1913).• Macedonian songs (http:/ / www. kralemarko. org. mk/ default-mk.

asp?ItemID=53A58133D6FE814E8848DA2947A7ECA4), fairy tales (http:/ / www. kralemarko. org. mk/default-mk. asp?ItemID=DE09C3D6A0EB9945AEC37A3D011335B0) and legends (http:/ / www. kralemarko.org. mk/ default-mk. asp?ItemID=7399614AAA7A834FA9917C1403BE6554) about Marko (Macedonian).

• Bulgarian ballads (http:/ / liternet. bg/ folklor/ sbornici/ bnt/ 1/ content. htm) (also here (http:/ / web. archive. org/web/ 20071015095416/ http:/ / bulgarian-orthodox-church. org/ slovo/ narod/ bnt12_1. txt), with moreinformation) and legends (http:/ / web. archive. org/ web/ 20080116080502/ http:/ / bulgarian-orthodox-church.org/ slovo/ narod/ bnt12_11. txt) about Marko (Bulgarian).

• Marko, The King's Son: Hero of The Serbs (http:/ / markokraljevic. uzice. net) by Clarence A. Manning (1932).• Web comic strip (http:/ / www. crsn. com/ studiostrip/ markokraljevic).Videos of Serbian epic poems sung to the accompaniment of the gusle:• Prince Marko Recognises His Father's Sword (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=n4sbBI6Rycc).• Prince Marko Abolishes the Marriage Tax (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=VFrqUZCwTSw).• Prince Marko and the Eagle (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=7BucosPAPG8).

Despotate of Velbazhd 69

Despotate of Velbazhd

Principality of Velbazhd (1373 - 1395)

States in the Central Balkans that emerged afterdissolution of Serbian Empire in the 14th century

The Despotate of Velbazhd (Bulgarian: Велбъждско деспотство, alsoknown as Principality) was one of the short lived independent feudalstates that emerged from the collapse of the Serbian Empire in 1371. Itgot its name from its capital Velbazhd, which today is the Bulgariantown, Kyustendil.

The principality was located between the rivers Struma and Vardar andincludes many territories from the modern countries of Bulgaria,Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. The Despotate was ruled bylocal feudal lord Jovan Dragaš and his brother Constantine Dragaš.[1]

After the Battle of Maritsa (1371) the brothers acknowledged Ottomansuzerainty and ruled their lands as vassals. Velbazhd was subjugatedby the Sultan Bayezid I in 1395.

Reference[1] The Bulgarians in their historical, ethnographical and political frontiers (http:/ /

www. promacedonia. org/ en/ dr/ dr_10-19_en. htm)

Literature

• Велбълждско княжество в Енциклопедия България, Българскатаакадемия на науките, София, 1978, том 1

• Велбъждско княжество и Константин Драгаш в Енциклопедиченречник Кюстендил, Българската академия на науките, София,1988

Jovan Dragaš 70

Jovan Dragaš

Jovan DragašBorn Jovan Dejanović Dragaš1343

Died 1378

Title Despot

Religion Serbian Orthodox Christianity

Parents Dejan DragašEvdokija Nemanjic

Jovan Dragaš (Serbian: Јован Драгаш) was a 14th-century Serbian noble that held the title of Despot[1] ofKumanovo, Kocani and Strumica under his uncle Stephen Uroš V of Serbia, he later became an Ottoman vassal afterthe Battle of Maritsa in 1371.His father ruled Kumanovo with a district spanning from Presevo to Velbazhd (Kyustendil). After his father's death,the young brothers Jovan and Constantine were taken care of by Vlatko Paskačić, at the order of the Mrnjavcevics,who continued to rule the region until Jovan reached adolescense.He began his office in ca 1365[1] , and ruled alongside his mother and younger brother Constantine for some years.His uncle gave him the title of Despot, as had did his father before him (this is attested in sources dating to 1373).[2]

After the Battle of Maritsa, the two brothers became Ottoman vassals as the Mrnjavcevics are defeated. They,however, continued to rule their region as a semi-independent state, and managed to further expand their fathersdistrict, taking territory from Jovan Oliver. He issued coins that were of same design as those of VukasinMrnjavcevic.[3]

He donated the Saint Vasilii church in Shtip to the Hilandar monastery.[4]

He died in 1378 and his brother continued to rule until 1392.

His mother Evdokija, Visoki Dečani

References[1] Rules and governments of the world: 1930 to 1975, Volume 3 (http:/ / books.

google. com/ ?id=JHCAz1b8eCgC& q=jovan+ dragas)[2] Istorija Srpskog naroda II, ISBN 8637904769[3] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=-FNmAAAAMAAJ& q=jovan+ dragas[4] http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=ZEooAQAAIAAJ& q=jovan+ dragas

Constantine Dragaš 71

Constantine Dragaš

Constantine DragašBorn Konstantin DragašSerbian lands

Died May 17, 1395Rovine, Romania

Cause of death Battle of Rovine

Residence Kyustendil

Nationality Serbian

Other names Konstantínos Dragáses

Title Despot

Term 1378-1395

Predecessor Dejan Dragaš

Religion Eastern Orthodoxy

Spouse UnknownEudokia of Trebizond

Children Helena Dragases, Jahov

Parents Dejan Dragaš, Theodora

Relatives Stefan DušanStefan Dečanski

Constantine Dragaš (Serbian and Bulgarian: Константин Драгаш, Konstantin Dragaš; Greek: KωvσταντίνοςΔραγάσης, Konstantínos Dragáses) was a regional semi-independent lord in the fragmenting Serbian realm centeredat Velbăžd (Kyustendil) from 1378 until his death at the battle of Rovine on May 17, 1395.

Constantine Dragaš 72

Life

States in the Central Balkans, including Realm of Constantine Dragaš(Principality of Velbazhd) in 1373–1395

Constantine was the son of the Serbian sebastokratorDejan Dragaš by Theodora (Eudokia), a sister of theSerbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. His maternalgrandparents were Serbian king Stefan Dečanski andTheodora, daughter of tsar Smilets of Bulgaria.

Together with his brother Jovan Dragaš, who died in1378/1379, Constantine governed large portions ofSlavic eastern Macedonia and middle portion of theStruma River (Strymon) valley. Constantine's titlesvary in the sources, where he is called variously "lord"(Serbian gospodin, Greek kyr or authentēs), and he mayhave acquired the title of Despot (despotēs), by whichhe is usually referred to in modern discussions, perhapsby a grant from his son-in-law, the Byzantine EmperorManuel II Palaiologos.

The Dragaš brothers generously endowed severalmonasteries on Mount Athos, including Hilandar,Pantaleimon and Vatopédi.

After the battle of Maritsa, they were forced to become vassals of the Ottoman Empire, but they maintained closelinks with their Christian neighbors, including the Byzantine Empire. In 1395, together with his neighbor and ally,the Serbian king of Prilep Marko, Constantine Dragaš was killed fighting for their Ottoman overlord Sultan BayezidI against Mircea cel Bătrân of Wallachia at Rovine, near Craiova. The Ottomans named Constantine's capitalVelbažd/Velbužd after him, Köstendil (now Bulgarian Kyustendil).

FamilyConstantine Dragaš was married twice. The name of his first wife is unknown, but she is not identical with Thamar(Tamara), the daughter of the Emperor (tsar) Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria, who had married a certain despotēsConstantine. Constantine Dragaš married as his second wife Eudokia of Trebizond, daughter of Emperor Alexios IIIof Trebizond and Theodora Kantakouzene. By his first wife, Constantine Dragaš had at least one daughter andpossibly a son:1. Helena Dragases (Jelena Dragaš, nun Hypomone), who married the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos

and died on May 13, 1450. Their many children included the last two Byzantine emperors, of whom ConstantineXI added the name Dragaš (in Greek, Dragasēs) to his own.

2. (possibly) Jakov (Muslim under the name Yaqub), who succeeded as lord of Velbăžd (Kyustendil).

References• Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.

Simeon Uroš 73

Simeon Uroš

Simeon Uroš

Fresco from 1346, Visoki DečaniBorn Симеон Урош

Died ~1370

Title Governor of Epirus and Thessaly

Religion Serbian Orthodox Christianity

Parents Stefan Uroš III Dečanski and Maria Palaiologina

Simeon Uroš or Siniša Uroš (Serbian Cyrillic: Симеон Урош), in Greek Symeon Ouresis Palaiologos (ΣυμεώνΟύρεσης Παλαιολόγος, Symeōn Ouresēs Palaiologos), was the ruler of Epirus from 1359 to 1366 and of Thessalyfrom 1359 until his death in c. 1370.

LifeSimeon Uroš, nicknamed Siniša, was the son of King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski of Serbia by his second wife, MariaPalaiologina, the daughter of the despotes John Palaiologos, a grandson of Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos.When his half-brother Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan conquered Epirus and Acarnania in 1348, he appointed asgovernor of these regions Simeon Uroš, whom he had granted the title of despotes traditionally reserved foremperors' brothers and younger sons. Simeon Uroš consolidated his position in relation to the local aristocracy bymarrying Thomais, the daughter of the former ruler of Epirus, John Orsini.Simeon Uroš's relatively uneventful governorship was interrupted when, shortly after Dušan's death in 1355, hisbrother-in-law Nikephoros II Orsini, the deposed ruler of Epirus, reappeared in Greece and gained the support of thenobility in Thessaly and Epirus. In 1356 Nikephoros entered Epirus and forced Simeon Uroš to flee to Kastoria,where he attempted to proclaim himself "Emperor of Serbs and Greeks" in the place of his nephew Stefan Uroš V.Although he gained the support of some important magnates like John Komnenos Asen (the brother of Dušan'swidow), Simeon Uroš was unable to assert himself against the wishes of the nobility of Serbia proper andMacedonia.After he was forced to retreat from his attempt to invade Zeta (modern Montenegro) in 1358, Simeon Uroš gave uphope of asserting himself in Serbia. The next year, however, Nikephoros II Orsini was killed in a skirmish againstthe Albanians, and opened up a welcome opportunity for Simeon Uroš. Consequently, he rapidly swept into Thessalyand was acknowledged as its ruler in 1359. He then invaded Epirus, where the towns, harried by the Albanianclansmen who had taken over the countryside, also recognized his authority.While Simeon Uroš was in Epirus, Radoslav Hlapen of Vodena attempted to seize Thessaly on behalf of his stepson Thomas Preljubović. Simeon Uroš was forced to cut his losses by recognizing Radoslav Hlapen's conquests, turning

Simeon Uroš 74

over Kastoria to him, and marrying his daughter Maria to Thomas. Hlapen recognized Simeon Uroš's suzerainty in atleast some of these lands and provided a buffer between him and the Serbian nobles to the north. Simeon Urošestablished himself in Trikala in Thessaly, and spent the remaining decade of his reign in relative peace. He soonrecognized two of the Albanian leaders in Epirus, Gjin Bua Shpata and Peter Losha, as despotes of Arta andAngelokastron.[1] In 1366 he turned over Ioannina, his last major possession in Epirus, to his son-in-law Thomas,who reigned there as vassal despotes.In Trikala Simeon Uroš presided over a court including Byzantine, Serbian, and Albanian nobles, but he showedpreference for the Byzantine relatives of his wife. He also founded and generously endowed the monasteries ofMeteora. He died sometime between 1369 and 1371.

FamilyBy his marriage to Thomais Orsini, Simeon Uroš had three children:• John Uroš, who succeeded as ruler of Thessaly.• Stephen Uroš, governor of Pharsalos.• Maria, who married Thomas II Preljubović, who succeeded as ruler of Epirus.

References[1] http:/ / books. google. se/ books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC& pg=PA350

• The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.• John V.A. Fine Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans, Ann Arbor, 1987.• George C. Soulis, The Serbs and Byzantium, Athens, 1995.

John Uroš 75

John Uroš

Jovan UrošRuler of Thessaly

Reign 1370-1373

Coronation 1359

Died 1422-1423

Predecessor Simeon Uroš

Royal House House of Nemanjić

Father Simeon Uroš

Mother Thomais Orsini

Religious beliefs Serbian Orthodox

Jovan Uroš (Serbian: Јован Урош, John Uroš) or John Ouresis Doukas Palaiologos (Greek: Ιωάννης ΟύρεσηςΔούκας Παλαιολόγος, Iōannēs Ouresēs Doukas Palaiologos, Дука Палеолог) was the ruler of Thessaly from c.1370 to c. 1373, died 1422/3.John Uroš was the son of Emperor Simeon Uroš Palaiologos by Thomais Orsini. His maternal grandparents wereJohn II Orsini and Anna Palaiologina.Between 1369 and 1372 he succeeded his father as titular emperor of Serbians and Greeks and as ruler of Thessaly.He may have been associated on the throne by his father as early as 1359/60. After reigning for an uncertain numberof years, John Uroš abdicated in favor of his relative, the Caesar Alexios Angelos Philanthropenos, and became amonk.He joined the monastic community founded by his father at Meteora, where he is documented under his monasticname Joasaph in 1381. Although he had surrendered political power, John Uroš remained wealthy and influential. In1384–1385 he helped his sister Maria govern Epirus after the murder of her husband Thomas II Preljubović. Heendowed the monasteries at Meteora and eventually became the head of the local monastic community, rebuilding orestablishing further monasteries in the area in 1388 and 1390. In the 1390s he visited Mount Athos, but was back inMeteora by 1401, and died there in 1422 or 1423.John Uroš was the last emperor of Serbs and Greeks and the last Serbian ruler of Thessaly. His relative AlexiosAngelos Philanthropenos succeeded him and recognized Byzantine suzerainty, and the area was lost to Bayezid I ofthe Ottoman Empire by his son Manuel Angelos Philanthropenos in 1394. John Uroš had a younger brother namedStephen Uroš, who may have held Pharsalos as his fief. Although he died long after his brother became monk, he didnot succeed him as ruler of Thessaly.

References• John V.A. Fine Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans, Ann Arbor, 1987.• George C. Soulis, The Serbs and Byzantium, Athens, 1995.• Nicholas Cheetham, Mediaeval Greece, Yale University Press, 1981.• D.I. Polemis, The Doukai, London, 1968.

Thomas II Preljubović 76

Thomas II Preljubović

Thomas II PreljubovićRuler of Epirus

Thomas and Maria Paleologina

Reign 1366-1384

Born 14th century

Died December 23, 1384

Place of death Ioannina, Epirus

Predecessor Simeon Uroš

Successor Maria Palaeologina

Offspring Irene, Preljub

Father Caesar Gregorios Preljub

Mother Irene

Religious beliefs Eastern Orthodox Christian

Thomas II Preljubović or Komnenos Palaiologos (Serbian: Тома Прељубовић; Greek: Θωμάς ΚομνηνόςΠαλαιολόγος, Thōmas Komnēnos Palaiologos), was ruler of Epirus in Ioannina from 1366 to his death on December23, 1384. He also held the title of Albanian-slayer (Ἀλβανιτόκτονος).[1]

FamilyThomas was the son of caesar Gregorios Preljub (Greek: Grēgorios Prealimpos), the Serbian governor of Thessaly,who died in late 1355 or early 1356. According to "The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the LateTwelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest" (1994) by J. V. A. Fine, his mother Irene was a daughter of Stefan UrošIV Dušan of Serbia and Helena of Bulgaria. [2]

LifeAfter the violent death of his father, Thomas' claim to Thessaly was asserted by his mother Irene, but they wereforced to flee to Serbia by the advance of Nikephoros II Orsini in 1356. Here Irene married Radoslav Hlapen, theruler of Vodena, who took Thomas under his wing.During the absence of Thessaly's new ruler Simeon Uroš Palaiologos in Epirus in 1359–1360, Hlapen invadedThessaly, attempting to win it for his stepson. Although Simeon Uroš managed to contain the invasion, he wasforced to cede Kastoria to Thomas and to marry him to his daughter Maria. Over the next several years, Simeon Urošrecognized that he could not assert effective authority over most of Epirus and delegated power in Arta andAngelokastron to local Albanian chieftains. In 1366 the citizens of Ioannina, the last major fortress to remain underSimeon Uroš's control, sent him a petition to appoint a governor who could protect them from the raids of Albanianclansmen.

Thomas II Preljubović 77

Simeon Uroš responded by designating Thomas as his governor and forwarding the Ioanninan and Vagenetian(Thesprotian) embassy to him. Thomas entered Ioannina sometime in 1366 or 1367. Thomas' reign in Epirus isreflected in most detail in the so-called Chronicle of Ioannina, which represents him as a cruel and capricious tyrant.Thomas seized various properties of the Church of Ioannina and awarded them to his Serbian retainers. In 1382 anew appointee to the local archbishopric, Matthew, was sent out from Constantinople, and invested Thomas with thetitle of despotes on behalf of the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos. Nevertheless, later Thomas quarreled withthe archbishop and exiled him from Ioannina.Thomas is also accused of persecuting the local nobility and thus inspired a series of revolts against his rule. Inaddition to seizing ecclesiastical and private property, Thomas established new taxes and monopolies on variouscommodities, including fish and fruit. In addition to relying on his military forces to enforce these imposts, Thomaswaged continuous war against the Albanian clans and the rulers of Arta and Angelokastron.Soon after taking possession of Ioannina, Thomas was unsuccessfully besieged by Peter Ljosha of Arta; this conflictended with the marriage of Thomas' daughter Irene to Peter's son John. When the Ljoshas lost Arta to John BuaShpata of Angelokastron, the warfare commenced anew, and was ended with a projected marriage between John andThomas' half-sister Helena. This arrangement also did not last, and in 1377 Thomas defeated an Albanian attack onIoannina. Another attack, which came close to taking the city, was repelled in 1379. Continuously harried, Thomasturned for help to his Frankish and then his Ottoman neighbors. The latter responded promptly and dispatched anauxiliary force in 1381. Thomas put this force to good use and conquered many fortresses from his enemies in1381–1384. His ruthless successes won him the epithet "Albanian-Slayer" (Αλβανοκτόνος, Albanoktonos).However, Thomas had come to be on bad terms with his wife Maria, who participated in the subsequent conspiracyagainst her husband. On December 23, 1384, Thomas was murdered by his guards and the happy population ofIoannina swore allegiance to Maria and invited her brother John Uroš Doukas Palaiologos to come and advise her inthe government.

FamilyBy an unnamed mistress, Thomas II Preljubović had at least one daughter:• Irene, who married John Ljosha of Arta, and died in 1374/5.By his wife Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina Thomas II possibly had a son:• Preljub (Prealoupes), who must have died young.

References[1] http:/ / www. cliohres. net/ books/ 7/ 08. pdf[2] Profile of Stefan IV in "Medieval Lands" by Charles Cawley (http:/ / fmg. ac/ Projects/ MedLands/ SERBIA. htm#StefanDusandied1355)

• The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.• George C. Soulis, The Serbs and Byzantium, Athens, 1995.• John V.A. Fine Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans, Ann Arbor, 1987.

Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina 78

Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina

Maria Angelina Ducena Palaeologina Basilissa of Epirus

Thomas and Maria Paleologina

Reign 1385-1386

Predecessor Thomas II Preljubović

Successor Esau de' Buondelmonti

House House of Nemanjić

Father Simeon Uroš

Mother Thomais Orsini

Born 1350/51

Died December 28, 1394 Ioannina, Despotate of Epirus

Religion Eastern Orthodox Christian

Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina (Greek: Μαρία Αγγελίνα Δούκαινα Παλαιολογίνα) (died December 28,1394) was ruler of Epirus from 1385 to 1386. She took the title of Basilissa of Epirus or Empress/Queen of Epirus.Maria was the daughter of Emperor Simeon Uroš Palaiologos and Thomais Orsini. Her maternal grandparents wereJohn Orsini of Epirus and Anna Palaiologina. In 1360 or 1366, Maria married Thomas II Preljubović, who wasappointed governor of Epirus in Ioannina by her father. Popular with her subjects, she was apparently mistreated byher husband and connived in his murder on December 23, 1384.

FamilyThe population of Ioannina acclaimed Maria as ruler. She used the title of basilissa, female form of basileus. Shesummoned her brother John Uroš Doukas Palaiologos (now monk under the name Joasaph) to advise her in theaffairs of state. John Uroš suggested that Maria marry Esau de' Buondelmonti, one of the Latin noblemen capturedby Thomas in 1379. There is an allegation, that Maria was already enamored of the captive before the murder of herhusband, and that this affair had resulted in the assassination of Thomas.Maria married Esau in February 1385, and survived for a further decade, dying on December 28, 1394. TheChronicle of Ioannina, so hostile towards Thomas, describes Maria in very flattering terms; the Byzantine historianLaonikos Chalkokondyles suggest that she was an unfaithful wife of questionable morality. Both accounts may bebiased. Maria does not appear to have had surviving children from either marriage.

Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina 79

References• The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.• George C. Soulis, The Serbs and Byzantium, Athens, 1995.• John V.A. Fine Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans, Ann Arbor, 1987.

Serbian Despotate 80

Serbian Despotate

Српска ДеспотовинаSrpska DespotovinaSerbian Despotate

← 1402–1459 →

Coat of arms

1422Capital Belgrade and Smederevo

Language(s) Serbian

Religion Serbian Orthodox Christianity

Government Monarchy

Despot

- 1402-1427 Stefan Lazarević

History

- Established February 22, 1402

- Disestablished November 10, 1459

Currency Serbian perper

The Serbian Despotate (Serbian: Српска деспотовина / Srpska despotovina) was a Serbian state, the last to be conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 is generally considered the end of the medieval Serbian state, the Despotate, a successor of the Serbian Empire and Moravian Serbia survived for 70 more years, experiencing a cultural and political renaissance in the first half of the 15th century before it was conquered by

Serbian Despotate 81

the Ottomans in 1459. Even then, it continued in Hungarian exile until the mid-16th century.

History

Origin of the DespotateAfter Prince Lazar was killed in the Battle of Kosovo on June 28, 1389, his son Stefan Lazarević succeeded him.Being a minor, his mother Princess Milica ruled as his regent. A wise and diplomatic woman, she managed tobalance the Ottoman threat as Ottoman Empire was in a turmoil after the Battle of Kosovo and killing of SultanMurad I. She married her daughter, Olivera, to his successor, Sultan Bayezid ISometime after the battle, in 1390 or 1391, Serbia became a vassal Ottoman state, so Stefan Lazarevic was obligedto participate in battles if ordered by the Ottoman sultan. He did so in the Battle of Rovine in May 1395 against theWallachian prince Mircea I and the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396 against the Hungarian king Sigismund. After that,Sultan Bayezid awarded Stefan with the majority of the Vuk Branković's land on Kosovo, as Branković sided withthe Hungarian king at Nicopolis.When Mongols entered the Ottoman realm, Stefan Lazarević participated in the Battle of Angora in 1402 whenOttomans were defeated and sultan Bayezid was captured. Returning back to Serbia, Stefan visited Constantinoplewhere the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos granted him the title of despot. In previous years, title wouldmean that the despot would rule some vassal state, but as the Byzantine Empire was too weak to assert such a ruleand Serbia was not its vassal state, Stefan Lazarević took this title as the personal style of the Serbian monarchs, thusthe Principality of Serbia became the Serbian Despotate.

Stefan Lazarević

Consolidation

Already in Constantinople, Stefan had a dispute with his nephew Đurađ Branković, son of Vuk Branković who wasaccompanying him and got arrested by the Byzantine authorities. Đurađ would later succeed Stefan. Stefan's brotherVuk Lazarević was also in his escort and as they were returning over the Kosovo, they were attacked by theBranković army at Tripolje, near the Gračanica monastery. Vuk headed the Lazarević army, which was victorious,but reaching Novo Brdo, the brothers had a quarrel and Vuk went to the Ottoman side, to the new sultan (actuallyco-ruler with his 3 brothers) Suleyman (I) Çelebi.Counting on unrests within the Ottoman empire (Ottoman Interregnum), in early 1404 Stefan accepted vassalage tothe Hungarian king Sigismund, who awarded him with Belgrade, until then in Hungarian possession, so Belgradebecame capital of Serbia for the first time in history as all the old capitals of Serbia (Skopje, Priština, Prilep andKruševac) were already taken by the Ottomans.Next few years are marked by events in Stefan's personal life. He managed to liberate his sister and Bayezid's widowOlivera. In 1404 he made peace with his brother Vuk, in 1405 he married Katilina Gatiluzzi, daughter of FrancescoII Gatiluzzi, ruler of the Greek island of Lesbos. Also in 1405 his mother Milica died.In 1408 brothers disputed again and Vuk, together with sultan Suleyman and the Branković family, attacked Stefanin early 1409. Being besieged at Belgrade, Stefan agreed to give southern part of Serbia to his brother and to acceptagain Ottoman vassalage. Suleyman's brother Musa rebelled against him and Stefan took Musa's side in the battle ofKosmidion in 1410, near Constantinople. Musa's army was defeated and Suleiman sent Vuk and Đurađ Branković'sbrother Lazar to come to Serbia before Stefan returns, but they both were captured by Musa's sympathizers and gotexecuted in July 1410. Through Constantinople, where emperor Manuel II confirmed his despotic rights, Stefanreturned to Belgrade and annexed Vuk's lands.

Serbian Despotate 82

Serbian Despotate at the time of Stefan Lazarevic(1422) and possession limit of Venice in Adriatic

coast.

When Musa became self-proclaimed sultan in European part of theOttoman empire, he attacked Serbia in early 1412 but was defeatedby Stefan near Novo Brdo in Kosovo. Stefan then invited ruler ofthe Anatolian part of the empire, sultan Mehmed Çelebi to attackMusa together. Securing Hungarian help, they attacked Musa atÇamorlu, near the Vitosha mountain (modern Bulgaria) anddefeated him, with Musa being killed in the battle. As a reward,Stefan received the town of Koprijan near Niš (Niš itself remainedin Ottoman hands) and the Serbian-Bulgarian area of Znepolje. Forthe rest of his rule, Stefan remained in good relations withMehmed, which made the recovery of medieval Serbia possible.

On April 28, 1421, Stefan's nephew and ruler of Zeta, Balša IIIdied and bequeathed his lands to his uncle. With this and territorialgains from the Hungarians (Belgrade, Srebrenica, etc), Serbiarestored majority of its ethnic territories it occupied before theBattle of Kosovo.

Renaissance

The rule of the poet, thinker and artist, despot Stefan Lazarević,was a period of renewed artistic development in Serbia. StefanLazarević himself was a poet, writing one of the major medievalSerbian literary works, Slovo ljubve ('The word of love') and oneof the largest libraries in the Balkans at that period. Apart frompolitical stability as a result of Stefan's ability to keep a distancefrom both the Ottoman Empire and Hungarians, stability was also

helped by the very rich silver mines, Srebrenica and Novo Brdo, some of the wealthiest in Europe at that time.Belgrade, at that time became one of the largest cities in Europe, numbering over 100,000 people.

Đurađ Branković

First rule

As despot Stefan had no children of his own, already in 1426 he bequeathed the despotate to his nephew, ĐurađBranković who succeeded him upon his death on July 19, 1427. Already the second most important figure in thedespotate for the last 15 years, he was confirmed as despot by the Byzantine emperor John VIII Palaeologus in 1429.As an immediate result of Stefan's death, Serbia had to return Belgrade to the Hungarians which gave it to Stefan asa personal gift to him. As the southern wealthy cities (like Novo Brdo) were too close to the Ottomans to be declarednew capitals, Đurađ decided to built a new one, a magnificent fortress of Smederevo on the Danube, close to theHungarian border. Constructed 1428-30, Smederevo was a source of many future misinterpretations of the history,especially concerning Đurađ's wife Jerina. Being a Greek and with her brothers very influential to the new despot,people began to dislike her, attributing to her many vicious and evil characteristics including that building ofSmederevo was her caprice. In folk poetry she's been dubbed Prokleta Jerina (the Damned Jerina), but nothing ofthis can't be confirmed from historical sources.

Serbian Despotate 83

Temporary Ottoman occupation

Period of relative peace ended in 1438 when Ottoman army, headed by the sultan Murad II himself, attacked andsacked Serbia. Despot Đurađ fled to Hungary in May 1439, leaving a regency of two, his son Grgur Branković andJerina's brother Toma Kantakuzin to defend the country. After three-months siege, Smederevo fell on August 18,1439, while Novo Brdo, 'mother of all cities' was conquered on June 27, 1441. At this point the only free remainingpart of the despotate was Zeta. First Ottoman governor of Serbia was Ishak-Beg who in 1443 was replaced byIsa-Beg.

Đurađ Branković restored and reconquered

In Hungary, Đurađ Branković managed to talk Hungarian leaders into expelling the Ottomans, so a broad Christiancoalition of Hungarians (under John Hunyadi), Serbs and Romanians (under Vlad II Dracul) advanced to Serbia andBulgaria in September 1443, and Serbia was fully restored by the Peace of Szeged on August 15, 1444. How hard itwas to balance between such a strong powers in the region may be seen from the fact that in 1447-48 despot Đurađprovided funds to the Byzantines to repair the city walls of Constantinople, but being officially an Ottoman vassal,he had to send an army to help Sultan Mehmed II conquer Constantinople in May 1453. In the next year, Mehmed IIattacked Serbia, finally taking Novo Brdo in 1455, while in 1456, despot Đurađ handed over to the Sultan the entiresouthern section of Serbia, before he died on December 24, 1456 in Smederevo.

Lazar BrankovićDespot Lazar Branković, who succeeded his father Đurađ, seeing that Serbia is too weak and that it is impossible todefeat the Ottomans on the battlefield, managed to make a deal with sultan Mehmed II on January 15, 1457.According to this, he was granted back most of his father's lands and a promise that Serbia will not be disturbed bythe Ottomans until Lazar's death, who in turn had to pay a tribute. Being relieved of the southern threat, Lazar turnedto the north and Hungarian internal battles, managing to capture the town of Kovin on the left bank of the Danube in1457, which was the first time in Serbian history that Serbia stretched across the Danube. Despot Lazar died onJanuary 20, 1458.

Regency and Stefan BrankovićAs despot Lazar Branković had no sons, a three-member regency was formed after his death. It included Lazar'sbrother, the blind Stefan Branković, Lazar's widow Jelena Palaeologus and Mihailo Anđelović, the 'governor ofRascia'. After Anđelović secretly let one company of Ottomans into Smederevo, he was imprisoned in March 1458and Stefan became despot in his own right. Year later, Stefan opted to marry his niece, late despot Lazar's daughter,Marija, to the heir apparent of Bosnia, Stefan Tomašević. Even before Stefan married Marija, he declared himselfnew despot on March 21, 1459 and expelled ex-despot Stefan to Hungary on April 8, 1459.

Stefan Tomašević and fall of the DespotateStefan Tomašević is considered to be the unluckiest Serbian ruler in the Middle Ages as he lost two countries to theOttomans: Serbia in 1459 and Bosnia in 1463. His appointment as new despot was highly unpopular but pushed hardby his father, Bosnian king Stefan Tomaš. Since by this time Serbia was reduced to only a strip of land surroundingSmederevo, sultan Mehmed II decided to conquer Serbia completely and arrived at Smederevo; the new ruler didn'teven try to defend the city. After negotiations, Bosnians were allowed to leave the city and Serbia was officiallyconquered by Turks on June 20, 1459.

Serbian Despotate 84

Despotate in Hungarian exileIn 1404 Hungarian King Sigismund lend parts Syrmia to Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević for governing, latersucceeded by Đurađ Branković[1] . After the Ottoman Empire conquered Serbia in 1459, the Hungarians renewed thelegacy of Despots to the House of Branković in exile, later to the Berislavić family, who continued to govern most ofSyrmia until the Ottoman conquest but territory has been de facto and de jure part of Hungarian kingdom. Theresidence of the despots was Kupinik (modern Kupinovo). The Despots were: Vuk Grgurević (1471–1485), ĐorđeBranković (1486–1496), Jovan Branković (1496–1502), Ivaniš Berislavić (1504–1514), and Stjepan Berislavić(1520–1535). The last of the titular Serbian despots in Syrmia, Stevan Berislav, moved in 1522 to Slavonia, sinceKupinik was seized by the Ottoman forces.

Rulers of the Serbian Despotate

Name Reign Remark

Stefan Lazarević (1374–1427) August, 1402-July 19, 1427 Lazarević dynasty

Đurađ Branković (1375–1456) July 19, 1427-August 18, 1439 Branković dynasty

Grgur Branković (1416–59) May, 1439-August 18, 1439 co-regent for Đurađ

Thomas Kantakouzenos May, 1439-August 18, 1439 co-regent for Đurađ

Ishak-Beg (+1443) 1439–1443 Turkish governor

Isa-Beg 1443-June 12, 1444 Turkish governor

Đurađ Branković (1375–1456) June 12, 1444-December 24, 1456 restored

Lazar Branković (1421–58) December 24, 1456-January 19, 1458 Branković dynasty

Mihailo Anđelović (+1464) January 19, 1458-March, 1458 co-regent

Jelena Paleolog (1432–73) January 19, 1458-March, 1458 co-regent

Stefan Branković (1420–76) January 19, 1458-March 21, 1459 co-regent to March 1458

Stefan Tomašević (1438–63) March 21, 1459-June 20, 1459 Kotromanić dynasty

Titular rulers of the Serbian Despotate in Hungarian exile

Vuk Grgurević Branković (1438–85) 1471-April 16, 1485 "Zmaj Ognjeni Vuk"

Đorđe Branković (1461–1516) February, 1486-July, 1497 Branković dynasty

Jovan Branković (1462–1502) 1492-December 10, 1502 Branković dynasty

Jelena Branković (d.1530) December 10, 1502–1503 Jovan's widow; acting

Ivaniš Berislavić (d.1514) 1503-January, 1514 Berislavić dynasty

Stefan Berislavić (1504–36) January, 1514–1536 Berislavić dynasty

Jelena Branković (d.1530) January, 1514–1522 second time; acting for her minor son Stefan

Radič Božić (d.1528) June 29, 1527-September, 1528 Božić dynasty

Pavle Bakić (d.1537) September 20, 1537-October 9, 1537 Bakić dynasty

Serbian Despotate 85

References• Mala Prosvetina Enciklopedija, Third edition (1985); Prosveta; ISBN 86-07-00001-2• Dušan Spasić, Aleksandar Palavestra, Dušan Mrđenović: Rodoslovne tablice i grbovi srpskih dinastija i vlastele,

Second edition (1991); Bata; ISBN 86-7685-007-0• Vladimir Ćorović: Ilustrovana istorija Srba, Vol. III (2006); Politika NM & Narodna Knjiga; ISBN

86-331-2525-0 (NK)• Dennis P. Hupchick: The Balkans: From Constantinople to Communism; Palgrave Macmillan; ISBN

1-4039-6417-3[1] Sve o Slankamenu (http:/ / www. slankamen. org. yu/ slankamen/ ss. html)

Article Sources and Contributors 86

Article Sources and ContributorsMoravian Serbia  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414216468  Contributors: Andrwsc, Baks, Bellatores, Christopher Kraus, Chzz, CommonsDelinker, CrniBombarder!!!,Deucalionite, Djidash, EmilJ, Evlekis, Good Olfactory, Gökçe Yörük, Jaraalbe, Krenakarore, Kwiki, Mladifilozof, Mlaffs, PANONIAN, Rich Farmbrough, Sasha thor, Serbia123, Shadowjams,User1389, Vanjagenije, Xycut, Zoupan, Иван Богданов, Методије, Пера ложач, 14 anonymous edits

Lazar of Serbia  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414838708  Contributors: 1997, Aekos, Ajdebre, Angel ivanov angelov, Balkantropolis, Bbik, Bg007, Black Falcon, BojanMijić, BokicaK, Brian1979, Bryan Derksen, Cavila, CheckIntentPlease, CrnaGora, CrniBombarder!!!, Cyberscholar, D6, Damjanoviczarko, Davewho2, Dchall1, Deville, Dimadick, Djordjes,Duja, Dysepsion, EamonnPKeane, EstherLois, Ev, Evgen2, Farkasven, Feinoha, Forteana, Free smyrnan, Good Olfactory, GregorB, Groupblues123456, Gtrmp, Hadžija, Hajenso, HennessyC,Jaraalbe, Jonel, Jovan66102, Joy, Kansas Bear, Katieh5584, Kovac09, Kseferovic, Ktsquare, Lacrimosus, Luk, MONGO, Maed, Man vyi, Mild Bill Hiccup, Mintleaf, MishaPan, Mladifilozof,Mlaffs, Monegasque, Neilc, Nikai, Nikola Smolenski, Ninam, Noirceuil, Obradovic Goran, Ostalocutanje, PANONIAN, Palladinus, PaxEquilibrium, Peripitus, Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy,Radu Gherasim, RedWolf, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, RogDel, RottweilerCS, Sergivs, Spinningspark, Steven J. Anderson, Stijn Calle, SunCreator, That Guy, From That Show!, Thinking ofEngland, TimBentley, Tracer bullet, Vanjagenije, Vvacic, Welsh, Zoupan, Æthelwold, Александър, Методије, Пера ложач, 88 anonymous edits

Stefan Lazarević  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416706738  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Adam Bishop, Adam78, Ajdebre, Angel ivanov angelov, Antidiskriminator, Bbik,Bg007, BokicaK, Brane.Blokar, Bratislav, Cavila, Dimadick, Djido, Djordjes, Duja, EivindJ, Evlekis, FeanorStar7, Flavius Belisarius, Forteana, Free smyrnan, Greier, Hadžija, HennessyC,Jaraalbe, Johnpacklambert, Joy, Khoikhoi, LilHelpa, Luwilt, Maed, Monegasque, Naddy, Nedim Ardoğa, Neurolysis, Ninam, Ostalocutanje, Outlook, PANONIAN, Queen Elizabeth II's LittleSpy, Radu Gherasim, RogDel, SGS, Sole Soul, Stane, Tetyana-Yanata, Vanjagenije, Vladko, Vojvodaen, WereSpielChequers, WhiteWriter, Zoupan, Методије, Милан Јелисавчић, 42anonymous edits

District of Branković  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415741843  Contributors: Ajdebre, Clanedstino, Cplakidas, Evlekis, Frietjes, Jaraalbe, Mladifilozof, Nikola Smolenski,WikiNameBaks, Woohookitty, 3 anonymous edits

Vuk Branković  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415717340  Contributors: ABXDataLogic, Adam78, Ajdebre, Alfio, Anonymous56789, Axeman89, Bbik, Bg007, BlackFalcon, Bonadea, Brane.Blokar, Cavila, Clanedstino, Future Perfect at Sunrise, Gadget850, Hadžija, Hajenso, HexaChord, Jaraalbe, Kebeta, Kovac09, Luk, Luna Santin, Maed, Mellery, Mild BillHiccup, Mladifilozof, Mlaffs, Monegasque, Nikola Smolenski, Nimandza, Ninam, Ostalocutanje, PANONIAN, PaxEquilibrium, Rose Garden, RottweilerCS, SMcCandlish, Sabbut, Studerby,Teleutomyrmex, The Phoenix, Vanjagenije, Veverica17, Vladar86, WikHead, Woohookitty, Zoupan, 23 anonymous edits

Đurađ Branković  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414838566  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Adam78, Ajdebre, Angel ivanov angelov, Bbik, Bg007, Bratislav, Cavila, Cecil,Cmdrjameson, Dimadick, Duja, Evlekis, FeanorStar7, Francs2000, Future Perfect at Sunrise, Gligan, HennessyC, Jaraalbe, Joy, KissL, Maed, Megales, Nenad Seguljev, Nikola Smolenski,Ninam, Olessi, Ostalocutanje, PANONIAN, PaxEquilibrium, Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy, Rjecina, Rjwilmsi, RogDel, SGS, Seqsea, Spookyland, StAnselm, Stemonitis, Tpbradbury,Valentinian, Vanjagenije, Vladar86, WhiteWriter, Zello, Zoupan, Методије, 17 anonymous edits

Lazar Branković  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411987182  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Aelfthrytha, Ajdebre, Bbik, Caerwine, Dimadick, Djordjes, Duja, Ghirlandajo,HollyAm, Iblardi, Jeanne boleyn, Joy, LilHelpa, Longshot14, Maed, Megales, Ostalocutanje, Pearle, Phil Boswell, Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy, RogDel, SatuSuro, Surtsicna, Vanjagenije,Zoupan, 4 anonymous edits

Stefan Branković  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411987708  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Ajdebre, Bbik, Caerwine, Dannydjwalker@yahoo.co.uk, Deville, Dimadick,Djordjes, Duja, HollyAm, Joy, LilHelpa, Maed, Maliepa, Phil Boswell, Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy, RogDel, Sulmues, Vanjagenije, WikiNameBaks, Zoupan, Методије, 10 anonymous edits

Principality of Zeta  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415994738  Contributors: Aetheling1125, Ajdebre, AndrewHowse, Android Mouse, Apiya, Bali ultimate, Bg007,BokicaK, Bowlhover, BraneJ, Buttons, Caerwine, CapitalR, Choess, City12601, Clicketyclack, Colonies Chris, CommonsDelinker, Conscious, Critikal1, CrnaGora, DIREKTOR, DabMachine,Dbalic, Dijxtra, Doggiewoggie, DragonflySixtyseven, Emir Arven, Eraserhead1, Evlekis, Garion96, Giraffedata, Greenshed, GregorB, Grutness, Hadžija, Irishguy, Izno, JHunterJ, Jeff3000,Jelenatabas, John of Reading, Joshuagross, Joy, Kaikhosru, Kedadi, Killing Vector, Kilo-Lima, Kopljanik, Kubura, Litany, Luk, Markussep, Martey, Missmarple, Mladifilozof, Montenegro(MNE), Nikola Smolenski, Noirceuil, Nv8200p, Omnipaedista, Ondundozonananandana, PANONIAN, PaxEquilibrium, Peripitus, Philippe, Rave92, Rich Farmbrough, Shenme, Sideshow Bob,Snowdog, Sulmues, Talessman, Thelmadatter, TimBentley, Tobias Conradi, Vanjagenije, Vgranucci, WhiteWriter, WikiNameBaks, Woohookitty, Xycut, Zoupan, Пера ложач, 107 anonymousedits

Balša I of Zeta  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416616980  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Ajdebre, Bbik, CrnaGora, CrniBombarder!!!, Fram, FriedrickMILBarbarossa, Hadžija,Kovac09, No such user, Rich Farmbrough, Timbouctou, Valentinian, Zoupan, Zykasaa, 11 anonymous edits

Đurađ I Balšić  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=415992182  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Ajdebre, Bbik, Bratislav, CrnaGora, CrniBombarder!!!, Evlekis,FriedrickMILBarbarossa, Jeff3000, JimCubb, Kilibarda, Mdupont, Mild Bill Hiccup, Mladifilozof, Monegasque, PaxEquilibrium, Prevalis, R'n'B, RogDel, Stephen Day, Tempo21, Timbouctou,Underground Soldier, Valentinian, Vanjagenije, Zoupan, Zykasaa, 13 anonymous edits

Balša II  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=400288808  Contributors: Ajdebre, Angel ivanov angelov, Charles01, CrnaGora, CrniBombarder!!!, FriedrickMILBarbarossa,Hadžija, Lysandros, Monegasque, Omegastar, Prevalis, Rich Farmbrough, Sideshow Bob, Sulmues, The Transhumanist, Valentinian, Vanjagenije, Zykasaa, 14 anonymous edits

Đurađ II  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=414289413  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Ajdebre, Allstarecho, Bbik, Bratislav, C mon, Cplakidas, CrnaGora, Djordjes, Emperor ofEurope, Fatguy983, Gene Nygaard, Good Olfactory, Iridescent, JimCubb, Joy, Jun Nijo, Kovac09, Kwamikagami, MBisanz, Mavronjoti, Mboverload, Mild Bill Hiccup, Paranomia,PaxEquilibrium, Prevalis, Rasho, Rich Farmbrough, Rjecina, Rjwilmsi, Roltz, Surtsicna, TimBentley, Underground Soldier, Vanjagenije, Zakipfc, Zoupan, Zykasaa, 17 anonymous edits

Balša III  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411985660  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Bbik, CrnaGora, Deb, Djordjes, FriedrickMILBarbarossa, Monegasque, Prevalis, Zykasaa, 2anonymous edits

Stefan I Crnojević  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411985856  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Angusmclellan, Bratislav, Critikal1, FeanorStar7, Iridescent, Jmcrek, Kebeta,Ljubljana, Monegasque, Mr X-Ray12, Pascal666, PaxEquilibrium, Prevalis, Spaceflower, Sulmues, Theo10011, VVVladimir, Zykasaa, 16 anonymous edits

Ivan I Crnojević  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411985970  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Ajdebre, Avala, Bansp, BraneJ, Buttons, CommonsDelinker, Critikal1, CrnaGora,Djordjes, Eraserhead1, Kebeta, LilHelpa, PaxEquilibrium, Rave92, RogDel, SS.Nolimit, Sideshow Bob, Sulmues, TimBentley, Valentinian, Woohookitty, Xycut, Zykasaa, 48 anonymous edits

Đurađ Crnojević  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411986085  Contributors: Aca Srbin, Aciram, Ajdebre, Alex Bakharev, Buttons, CrnaGora, Djordjes, JimCubb, Kilibarda,Kovac09, Missmarple, Nije bitno..., PaxEquilibrium, RandomCritic, Rave92, Rosiestep, SMasters, Sideshow Bob, TimBentley, Valentinian, WereSpielChequers, YUL89YYZ, Zykasaa, 11anonymous edits

Kingdom of Prilep  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=410905538  Contributors: Ajdebre, Andrwsc, Clanedstino, EagleFan, Evlekis, Future Perfect at Sunrise, Jaraalbe, Kobac,Laveol, Life of Riley, LilHelpa, Local hero, Mactruth, Mkd07, Mladifilozof, TodorBozhinov, WikiNameBaks, Woohookitty, Zoupan, 5 anonymous edits

Prince Marko  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416051422  Contributors: 3rdAlcove, Ajdebre, Al3xil, Alai, Alekjds, Altenmann, Apetrovsky, Avitohol, Bender235,Billinghurst, Bogdangiusca, Bomac, Brane.Blokar, CalJW, Casito, Catalographer, Chris the speller, Clanedstino, Crzrussian, Damjanoviczarko, Debresser, Dedokire, Delirium, Denipavlovski,Drbreznjev, Dultz, El.tula, Evlekis, Fireaxe888, Flauto Dolce, FunkyFly, Future Perfect at Sunrise, Gfoley4, Ghirlandajo, Greier, Hadžija, Jaraalbe, JavMilos, Jeff G., Jiang, Jingiby, Joy,Jujutacular, Jusdafax, KathrynLybarger, Kbdank71, Kebeta, Keep it Fake, Kirev, Kostja, Kovac09, Krushevo komitet, Lalalalalalol, Laveol, Life of Riley, Local hero, Maed, Man vyi, Marko sk,Martin Sulevski, MatriX, Mboverload, Mladifilozof, Mrki83, Mushroom, Nathrach, NeroN BG, Nikola Smolenski, Ninam, Ntsimp, Ostalocutanje, PANONIAN, R'n'B, RJaguar3, Raso mk,Reconsider the static, Rjwilmsi, Robin klein, Romanm, Rvuckov, Ryan Roos, Smith03, Stane, TaurusMK, The Anome, TodorBozhinov, TonyBallioni, VMORO, VVVladimir, Vanished user 03,Vanjagenije, Velimir85, WiccaIrish, Wik, Woohookitty, X!, Xdr2011, York60, Zikicam, Zoupan, Методије, Саша Стефановић, 280 anonymous edits

Despotate of Velbazhd  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=411354792  Contributors: Cplakidas, Jaraalbe, Laveol, Mladifilozof, Woohookitty, Zoupan, 4 anonymous edits

Jovan Dragaš  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=396853517  Contributors: Paulmcdonald, Woohookitty, Zoupan

Constantine Dragaš  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=394117759  Contributors: Againme, Ajdebre, Alexander VIII, Balkantropolis, Bbik, Brane.Blokar, Cemsentin1, Cplakidas, CrniBombarder!!!, Deiz, Dimadick, Dr.K., DragonflySixtyseven, Evlekis, Ferred, Imladjov, JSimin, Jaraalbe, Jeanne boleyn, Laveol, Luk, McMarcoP, Mladifilozof, PANONIAN,

Article Sources and Contributors 87

Peripitus, RafaAzevedo, Rjwilmsi, TodorBozhinov, Vanjagenije, Zoupan, Пера ложач, 31 anonymous edits

Simeon Uroš  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=396501069  Contributors: (:Julien:), Ajdebre, Alexikoua, Cplakidas, CrniBombarder!!!, Delirium, Dimadick, Djordjes, Dr.K.,Hadžija, Hectorian, Imladjov, Jaraalbe, Kedadi, Magioladitis, MarcoLittel, Rjwilmsi, Sardanaphalus, Satoran, Str1977, Vanjagenije, VirtualDelight, 6 anonymous edits

John Uroš  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=395239888  Contributors: Angel ivanov angelov, Carski, Cplakidas, Dimadick, Djordjes, Erud, FeanorStar7, Hadžija, Imladjov,Jaraalbe, Sardanaphalus, Zoupan, 5 anonymous edits

Thomas II Preljubović  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=407923160  Contributors: Ajdebre, Alexikoua, Angel ivanov angelov, Athenean, Brane.Blokar, Carski, Cplakidas,CrniBombarder!!!, Delirium, Dimadick, Dr.K., FocalPoint, Imladjov, J04n, Jncraton, Kauczuk, MarcoLittel, PaxEquilibrium, Rjwilmsi, Shakko, Vanjagenije, VirtualDelight, Zoupan, 6anonymous edits

Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=407923019  Contributors: Ajdebre, Alexikoua, Carlaude, Cplakidas, CrniBombarder!!!,Deucalionite, Dimadick, Dr.K., Dsp13, Imladjov, InfernoXV, J04n, John of Reading, Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy, Rjwilmsi, RogDel, Shakko, Thismightbezach, Yannismarou, 1 anonymousedits

Serbian Despotate  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=416701013  Contributors: AjaxSmack, Akerans, Andrwsc, Antidiskriminator, Attilios, Bart133, Bbik, Bellatores,BokicaK, Bratislav, Buttons, Catalographer, Chris the speller, Chzz, CommonsDelinker, Cplakidas, CrniBombarder!!!, DIREKTOR, Deucalionite, Deville, Djidash, Everyking, Flapdragon, Gcm,Good Olfactory, Greenshed, Hadžija, HennessyC, Hmains, Iaroslavvs, Jaraalbe, Jun Kayama, Kansas Bear, Kedadi, Kovac09, Maduixa, Milosevo, Mimihitam, Mladifilozof, Nedim Ardoğa,Nesalomivi, No such user, PANONIAN, PajaBG, PaxEquilibrium, Radu Gherasim, Rekonstruh, Rich Farmbrough, Rjecina, Serbia123, Tabletop, ThaddeusB, Theo10011, User1389, Vanjagenije,Visitante22, Xycut, Zoupan, Zvonko, Пера ложач, 34 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 88

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Supposed Serbian Empire flag.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Supposed_Serbian_Empire_flag.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:B1mboFile:SLazarevic Coat of Arms.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SLazarevic_Coat_of_Arms.png  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Original uploader was Ninam at sr.wikipediaFile:Grb Lazarevic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Grb_Lazarevic.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Original uploader was Djordjes atsr.wikipediaFile:Moravian Serbia.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Moravian_Serbia.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:MladifilozofImage:lazar.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lazar.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Nikola Smolenski, PANONIAN, Vanjagenije, 1 anonymous editsFile:Servia1350AD.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Servia1350AD.png  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Ajdebre (formerlyNexm0d)Image:Knez Lazar Hrebeljanovic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Knez_Lazar_Hrebeljanovic.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Djura Jaksic (1832-1878)File:La Serbie en fin de regne de Lazar.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:La_Serbie_en_fin_de_regne_de_Lazar.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: SpiridonManoliuFile:Battle on Kosovo1389.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Battle_on_Kosovo1389.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:LaessigFile:Kosovo Polje sized.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kosovo_Polje_sized.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploader was Majstor Mile aten.wikipediaFile:Praise to Prince Lazar.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Praise_to_Prince_Lazar.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Jefimija (c 1350. - c 1405)File:Milica Ljubostinja1.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Milica_Ljubostinja1.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: XV century serbian painterFile:Despot Stefan Manasija lik.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Despot_Stefan_Manasija_lik.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: XV century painterFile:Vuk lik Rudenica (1402-1405).jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Vuk_lik_Rudenica_(1402-1405).jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: XV century serbianpainterFile:Stefan Lazarevic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Lazarevic.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: own workFile:Crkvine - Stefan lazarevic.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Crkvine_-_Stefan_lazarevic.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:AntidiskriminatorFile:Stefan Lazarevic Despotate 1422.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Lazarevic_Despotate_1422.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Bratislav TabašImage:SLazarevic Coat of Arms.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:SLazarevic_Coat_of_Arms.png  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 Contributors: Original uploader was Ninam at sr.wikipediaImage:Grb Lazarevic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Grb_Lazarevic.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Original uploader was Djordjesat sr.wikipediaFile:Stefan Lazarević - Despotovac.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Lazarević_-_Despotovac.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:PetarMFile:Stefan_Lazarević_tomb.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Lazarević_tomb.JPG  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:PetarMFile:Brankovic_small_COA.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Brankovic_small_COA.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:WikiNameBaksFile:Realm of Brankovic.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Realm_of_Brankovic.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:MladifilozofFile:Herb Brankovic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Herb_Brankovic.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: w:User:Nexm0dImage:Realm of Brankovic.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Realm_of_Brankovic.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:MladifilozofImage:Central balkans 1373 1395.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Central_balkans_1373_1395.png  License: unknown  Contributors: PANONIANImage:Kosovo Field.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kosovo_Field.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: User:Nikola SmolenskiImage:Despot Djuradj lik s novca.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Despot_Djuradj_lik_s_novca.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Bbik, Betacommand,МетодијеFile:Smederevo 1940.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Smederevo_1940.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: UnknownImage:Herb Brankovic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Herb_Brankovic.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: w:User:Nexm0dFile:Stefan Vukcic and the war in Zeta 1441.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Vukcic_and_the_war_in_Zeta_1441.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution 3.0  Contributors: Bratislav TabašFile:1441 Kosaca in the Zeta.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1441_Kosaca_in_the_Zeta.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: BratislavTabašFile:Venetian property, and invasion of the Serbian Despotate (Djuradj Brankovic).svg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Venetian_property,_and_invasion_of_the_Serbian_Despotate_(Djuradj_Brankovic).svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors:Bratislav TabašFile:Attempt to capture the town of Bar 1448.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Attempt_to_capture_the_town_of_Bar_1448.svg  License: GNU Free DocumentationLicense  Contributors: Bratislav TabašImage:Lazar Brankovic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Lazar_Brankovic.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: first upload by А.ДинчићImage:Stefan Esfigmen.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Esfigmen.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Unknown painterImage:StefanDjurdjevicGrb.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:StefanDjurdjevicGrb.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:WikiNameBaksFile:Civil_Flag_of_Serbia_(2010).png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Civil_Flag_of_Serbia_(2010).png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: National Assembly ofthe Republic of Serbia (Serbian Parliament)File:Balsic_small_COA.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Balsic_small_COA.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:WikiNameBaksFile:Principality of Zeta.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Principality_of_Zeta.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:MladifilozofImage:Nemanja.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Nemanja.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: CrniBombarder!!!, Pufacz, TommyBee,Vanjagenije, 1 anonymous editsImage:THE STATE OF BALSIC.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:THE_STATE_OF_BALSIC.png  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Bratislav TabašImage:About 1400. on the coin.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:About_1400._on_the_coin.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:BratislavImage:Grb Crnojev.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Grb_Crnojev.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: AjdebreImage:THE STATE OF CRNOJEVIC.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:THE_STATE_OF_CRNOJEVIC.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: BratislavFile:Grb balsica.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Grb_balsica.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Original uploader was Zizovic atsr.wikipediaFile:Posjedi b.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Posjedi_b.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Bratislav TabašImage:Djuradj II Stracimirovic Balsic map XIV c.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Djuradj_II_Stracimirovic_Balsic_map_XIV_c.svg  License: Public Domain Contributors: Bratislav

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 89

Image:Stefan Vukcic and the war in Zeta 1441.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Stefan_Vukcic_and_the_war_in_Zeta_1441.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution 3.0  Contributors: Bratislav TabašImage: Attempt to capture the town of Bar 1448.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Attempt_to_capture_the_town_of_Bar_1448.svg  License: GNU FreeDocumentation License  Contributors: Bratislav TabašImage:Crnojević family properties 1.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Crnojević_family_properties_1.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  Contributors:BratislavImage:ivancrnojevic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ivancrnojevic.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Sideshow BobFile:Flag of the Ottoman Sultanate (1299-1453).svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_the_Ottoman_Sultanate_(1299-1453).svg  License: Public Domain Contributors: User:MaxSemFile:Mrnjavcevic_small_COA.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mrnjavcevic_small_COA.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors:User:WikiNameBaksFile:Kingdom of Prilep.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kingdom_of_Prilep.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:MladifilozofImage:Marko Mrnjavcevic.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Marko_Mrnjavcevic.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AnonymousImage:Kral Volkašin large.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kral_Volkašin_large.jpg  License: Free Art License  Contributors: Raso mkImage:Markovi Kuli zapaden del.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Markovi_Kuli_zapaden_del.JPG  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors:Original uploader was PetarM at sr.wikipediaImage:Južni ulaz Markovog Manastira.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Južni_ulaz_Markovog_Manastira.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AnonymousImage:Marko - money.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Marko_-_money.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: BokicaK, Exonie, Li4kata, 2 anonymous editsImage:Hercegovac_pjeva_uz_gusle.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hercegovac_pjeva_uz_gusle.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: AnonymousImage:Marko kraljevic on horseback.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Marko_kraljevic_on_horseback.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: OstalocutanjeFile:Smrtta na Krale Marko od Novak Radonic.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Smrtta_na_Krale_Marko_od_Novak_Radonic.jpg  License: Public Domain Contributors: Novak Radonjic (13 mart 1826 - july 1890)Image:50-Dinara-1931-back.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:50-Dinara-1931-back.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors: Narodna Banka JugoslavijeFile:Principality of Velbazhd.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Principality_of_Velbazhd.png  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:MladifilozofFile:Loza Nemanjica Decani c 5 1.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Loza_Nemanjica_Decani_c_5_1.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: XIV century serbianpainterFile:Loza Nemanjica Decani c 5 2.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Loza_Nemanjica_Decani_c_5_2.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: XIV century serbianpainterfile:Maria Paleolog.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Maria_Paleolog.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: anonimousImage:Maria Paleolog.JPG  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Maria_Paleolog.JPG  License: Public Domain  Contributors: anonimousFile:Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1453-1844).svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_the_Ottoman_Empire_(1453-1844).svg  License: unknown  Contributors:Bender235, CommonsDelinker, Guilherme Paula, Homo lupus, Mattes, Yasin54xFile:Serbian Despotate (1422)-sr.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Serbian_Despotate_(1422)-sr.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:Ivan25Image:1422 Zeta in the Serbian Despotate after death Balsa III.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:1422_Zeta_in_the_Serbian_Despotate_after_death_Balsa_III.svg License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Bratislav Tabaš

License 90

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unportedhttp:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/