Serbian Medieval History
Timeline of Events
The Early Centuries (ca. 500 - ca. 1000)
Settlement, conversion, organization (ca. 500 - ca. 1000). By crossing the Carpathian range and the Danube at the dawn of the Middle Ages, the Serbs and South Slavs in general enter their present homelands and the historical scene at large. At the same time, they are drawn into the complex process of establishing themselves, coexisting with their numerous neighbors, and maturing politically and spiritually.
VIc
South Slavs reach the Danube and make incursions into the Balkan peninsula, which they settle in the course of this century.
Slavs reached Adriatic coast. Fall of Salona (near Split) (614).
VIc
623
Prince Samo (623-658)
Prince Samo (623-658) unites Slavic tribes defending against the Avars.
711
Arabians (Mores) conquer Iberian peninsula.
Bulgarians take Sofia (809).
711
VIII-IXc
First Serbian princes: Viseslav, Radoslav, Prosigoj
Methodios (bef. 820-885) and Constantine-Cyrill (826-869), missionaries, "Slavic apostles", founders of Slavic literacy.
836
Norman conquest of England begins.
836
850
Prince Vlastimir (840s - ca. 860)
Vlastimir's sons, Mutimir, Strojmir, and Gojnik, defeat the Bulgarian army (852-857).
867
Serban conversion to Christianity (867-874).
867
872
Pope John VIII (872-882).
First mention of Belgrade (former Singidunum) in the April 16th letter of Pope John VIII (878).
891
Prince Pribislav
Prince Pribislav, inherits throne from father Mutimir, but is soon overthrown by cousin Petar Gojnikovic.
891
892
Prince Petar Gojnikovic (892-917)
Caught by Bulgarians by deception, dies in banishment.
893
Bulgarian emperor Symeon, the most important ruler of the First Bulgarian empire, raises to throne.
Kliment and Naum, missionaries in Macedonia, spread Cyrillic literacy among Serbs (893).
X-XI c. - establishes the foundation of Serbian literature.
893
913
Constantine VII, Byzantine emperor and scholar, publishes important data about the South Slavs in his work "De administrando imperio."
917
Prince Pavle Branovic (917-920)
Mutimir's grandson and Hungarian vassal.
917
920
Prince Zaharije Pribisavljevic (920-924)
Overthrows Prince Pavle.
924
Bulgarian occupation of Serbian lands.
924
927
Prince Caslav Klonimirovic (927 - ca. 960)
Ruler of Raska (Serbia), Duklja (Montenegro), Travunija (East Hercegovina) and Bosnia.
936
Otto I the Great, king of Germany and first Holy Roman emperor.
936
976
Samuilo, ruler of Macedonian Slavs and Bulgarian emperor. Byzantine emperor Basil II Bulgaroktonos defeats Samuilo's army at Belasica in 1014, and annexes his state.
987
Hugh Capet, king of France, founds the Capet dynasty (ruled until 1348).
987
The First Kingdom (1000 - 1168)
The preeminence of Zeta and the rise of Raska (ca. 1000 - 1168). The emergence of new geopolitical realities following the 11th-century decline of the Byzantine state leads to the rise of Zeta (Duklja) - the first Serb state with wider international recognition and more prominent cultural monuments. While not surviving the Komnenian Byzantine revival of the early 12th c., it was to lay the foundation for the rise of its more centrally located neighbor, Raska - hence the dominant Serbian entity of the Middle Ages.
990
Prince Jovan Vladimir (990-1016) in Duklja
Founding of the archbishopric of Ohrid (1019).
Founding of the bishopric of Ras (1020).
Founding of the archbishopric of Dubrovnik (1022).
990
1035
Prince Vojislav (1035-1051) in Duklja
Prince Vojislav liberates Duklja and annexes Travunija and Zahumlje (modern Hercegovina) (1038).
The uprising of Macedonian Slavs under Peter Odeljan (1040).
King Mihailo (1051-1081) in Zeta
The first Serbian king, under whom Duklja (later Zeta) was the first Serbian state to achieve international recognition, concludes favorable treaty with Byzantines (1052).
1054
Definite schism between Eastern and Western Churches.
1055
Seljuq Turks conquer Baghdad.
1055
1066
Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror begins Norman domination in England.
First Catholic bishop in Bar (Zeta) (1067).
Insurrection of Mihailo's son Bodin and Djordje Vojteh in Macedonia (1072).
1076
Seljuq Turks take Jerusalem.
Pope Gregory VII gives Mihailo title of king (1077).
Erection of St. Mihailo's church in Ston (near Dubrovnik) (1080).
1076
1080
Grand zupan of Raska Vukan (1083-1122)
1081
King Konstantin Bodin (1081-1101) in Zeta
1081
1084
Henry IV conquers Rome.
Bishopric of Bar elevated to archibishopric (1089).
Vukan attacks Byzantine's possessions. Clashes around city of Zvecan in Kosovo (1093).
1096
The First Crusade. Crusaders found the Jerusalem kingdom.
1096
1102
Hungaria annexes Croatia.
Vukan advances against Byzantine lands (1106).
1122
Grand zupan of Raska Uros I (1122-1143)
Serbs take the city of Ras (1127).
1122
1143
Grand zupan of Raska Uros II (1143-1156)
Clashes with Byzantines in alliance with Hungary.
1147
First mention of Moscow.
Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos destroys Serbian towns Ras and Galic (1149).
Battle between Serbs and Byzantines at river Tara, near modern Valjevo (1150).
1147
1152
Holy Roman emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.
1155
Grand zupan of Raska Desa (1155)
The succession of several zupans on Raskan throne under Byzantine influence.
1155
1167
Byzantium defeats Hungary and conquers Srem, Bosnia, Dalmatia, and Croatia.
The Balkan Power (1168 - 1321)
Establishment of the Nemanjic state as a Balkan power (1168-1321). The remarkable statesmanship and spirituality of the early Nemanjic dynasts - above all, the canonized trio of its founder Stefan Nemanja, the father of the Serbian Church St. Sava, and the "Holy King" Milutin - lay the foundation not only for a viable, prosperous and cultured medieval state but also for a national consciousness that was to survive long beyond it.
1168
Grand zupan of Raska Stefan Nemanja (1168-1196)
Founder of the Nemanjic dynasty.
Nemanja defeats brother Tihomir at the battle of Pantino (1170).
Nemanja accepts the overlordship of Byzantine emperor Manuel I (1172).
1168
1172
Hungarian king Bela III recovers Srem, Croatia and Dalmatia.
1173
Beginnings of Inquisition.
1173
1175
Birth of Rastko Nemanjic (Saint Sava).
Serbs allied with Hungary against Byzantines, reached and ravaged Sofia (1182). Serbia gains full independence.
Nemanja attempts to conquer Dubrovnik and island of Korcula (1184), takes Duklja and town of Kotor, renews peace settlement with Dubrovnik (1186).
Serbian envoys in Nurenberg, negotiating with Barbarossa on the upcoming Crusade (1186).
1189
Third Crusade (1189-1192).
Richard the Lionheart (1189-1199).
Nemanja and Barbarossa meet in Nis as crusaders pass through Morava valley (1189).
Trade agreement between Bosnia and Dubrovnik, one of the first written documents in vernacular Serbian (1189).
Rastko Nemanjic becomes prince in Hum (1190).
Serb advance checked by Byzantines at Southern Morava (1190).
Stefan Nemanjic, Nemanja's middle son, marries Byzantine princess Eudokia (1191).
Nemanja abdicates and withdraws as monk, first to monastery Hilandar, and later to monastery Studenica (1196).
1189
1196
Grand zupan of Raska Stefan Nemanjic (1196-1227)
King from 1217.
Nemanja, as monk Simeon, dies in monastery Hilandar (1200).
Stefan was overthrown by his elder brother Vukan (1202).
Hungarians ravage Serbia (1203). Stefan and Vukan reconcile and Stefan becomes Grand zupan again (1203).
1204
Fourth Crusade. Crusaders conquer Constantinople and found Latin empire.
Nemanja's body transferred from Hilandar to Studenica (1206).
Sava Nemanjic becomes archbishop and settles in monastery Studenica (1206).
Stefan Nemanjic marries Anna Dandolo, Venitian doge's granddaughter (1207).
Stefan Nemanjic liberates Nis, Vranje and Prizren (1208).
1204
1215
Children Crusade.
Stefan Nemanjic fights wars against Bulgarians, Hungarians, and Byzantines (1216).
1217
King Stefan, the First-Crowned
Stefan Nemanjic becomes the first Serbian king in Raska, thus called "Prvovencani" (the First-Crowned).
Sava Nemanjic withdraws to Mt. Athos (1217).
Radoslav, Stefan's eldest son, marries Ana, daughter of the despot of Epirus (1219).
1217
1219
Serbian church becomes independent, with Sava as first Archbishop
1226
French king Louis IX (Saint-Louis) (1226-1270).
1226
1228
Sixth crusade, led by Holy Roman emperor Frederick II, conquest of Jerusalem (1229).
King Radoslav Nemanjic (1228-1233).
Archbishop Sava travels to Palestine (1229).
1232
Pope Gregory IX formally establishes the Holy Inquisition.
Bosnian ban Matija Ninoslav (1232-1250)
Hungarian vassal, Catholic flirting with "heresy", provokes crusade against Bosnia.
King Radoslav overthrown by his brother (1233).
1232
1234
King Stefan Vladislav I (1234-1243)
Married to Bulgarian emperor's daughter, rules under strong Bulgarian influence.
Serbian archbishop Arsenije I (1234-1263) takes a seat from retired Sava.
Second great voyage of Sava, who dies in Trnovo, Bulgaria (1236).
German Saxon miners come to Serbia (1241).
King Stefan Uros I Nemanjic (1243-1276)
1244
Turks conquer Jerusalem, now lost for ever for Christians.
1244
1248
Seventh crusade (1248-1254).
1250
Stefan Uros marries Helen d'Anjou (1250).
Clashes between Serbia and Dubrovnik (1251-1255).
1250
1250
Ban Prijezda (1250-1278) in Bosnia
Founder of the Kotromanic dynasty.
King Uros takes Skoplje, Prilep and Kicevo (1258).
1261
Michael VIII liberates Constantinople and restores Byzantine empire.
1261
1263
Archbishop Sava II (King Stefan's son) (1263-1271).
1265
Charles d'Anjou (1265-1285), king of Sicily and Naples.
King Uros I unsuccessfully attacks Hungerians in Macva (1267).
1265
1270
Eighth crusade. Louis IX dies outside of Tunisia.
1272
Archbishop Ioanikije I (1272-1276).
King Uros I besieges Dubrovnik (1275).
1272
1276
King Stefan Dragutin Nemanjic (1276-1282)
Dragutin abdicates following a hunting accident in favor of his brother Milutin at the council in Dezeva (1282) and retires to govern northern Serbia and Srem.
Serbs retake Skoplje, Polog, and areas around Belasica (1282).
1282
King Stefan Uros II Milutin Nemanjic (1282-1321)
Serbs clash with Byzantines, reaching Hilandar and the Aegean (1283).
Milutin marries Elizabeth, daughter of Hungarian king Stefan V (1283).
Serbs take Porec, Kicevo, and Debar in Macedonia (1284).
Dragutin receives concessions from Hungarians, Belgrade for the first time under direct Serbian rule (1284).
Mongols (Tatars) ravage Bulgaria, Hungaria, and parts of Serbia, and burn the monastery Zica (1285).
1282
1288
Osman I, Turkish sultan (1288-1326), founder of the Ottoman dynasty.
1290
Ban Stjepan Kotromanic (1290-1310) in Bosnia
Married to king Dragutin's daughter Jelena.
Dragutin takes Branicevo (eastern Serbia) (1291).
Hungarian king Andrew III gives Slavonija to Dragutin's son Vladislav (1292).
Archbishop Jevstatije (1292-1309).
Milutin takes Drac (Albania) (1296).
Peace settlement between Serbia and Byzantium, Milutin marries Simonida, daughter of emperor Andronikos II. Pec becomes seat of the Serbian archbishopric (1299).
1290
1302
First assembly of the General states in France.
Beginnings of conflict between brothers Milutin and Dragutin (1301).
Milutin gives Zeta to son Stefan to administrate (1309).
Archbishop Sava III (1309-1316), Milutin's close associate, renews churches and monasteries (1309).
Milutin sends 2,000 warriors to aid Byzantines in fight against the Turks (1313).
Stefan revolts against father Milutin. Milutin wins and has his son blinded and sent to Constantinople (1314). Queen-mother Helen (Jelena) dies (1314) and king Dragutin (1316).
War between Serbia and Dubrovnik (1317).
Archbishop Nikodim (1317-1324), monk and diplomat.
Hungary temporarily captures northern Serbia, including Macva and Belgrade (1319).
Milutin's son Stefan back from Constantinople (1320).
King Milutin dies (1321). Stefan claims miraculous return of eyesight, assumes the throne, and embarks on fight with rival contenders.
The Pinnacle (1321 - 1366)
The Empire of Stefan Dusan (1321-1366). Reaping the benefits of an existing solid foundation, yet adding a statesman prowess all his own - Stefan Dusan, precedeed by his able father, elevates the Nemanjic monarchy to a dominant regional position. Territorial expansion is accompanied by major advances in legal codification, ecclesiastic organization and artistic expression.
1321
King Stefan Uros III, Decanski (1321-1331)
1321
1322
Ban Stjepan II Kotromanic (1322-1353) in Bosnia
The economic and political rise of Bosnia with the support of Hungary; conflicts with Serbia; Franciscans spread their mission.
1323
Bulgarian emperor Michael Shishman (1323-1330), married to Stefan's daughter.
Archbishop Danilo II (1324-1337), diplomat and statesman, famous biographer of Serbian kings and archbishops
Bosnia annexes part of Hum (1326).
1323
1330
Bulgarian emperor Michael Shishman attacks Serbia with Byzantine help. Stefan decisively defeats them near Velbuzd (1330).
1331
Emperor Stefan Uros IV Dusan Nemanjic (1331-1355) king and emperor (1345) of Serbia
Stefan's son Dusan overthrows his father.
Stefan dies in imprisonment.
Dusan marries Jelena, sister of Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria (1332).
Dusan grants Adriatic coastline through Ston and Peljesac peninsula to Dubrovnik(1333).
Dusan takes Prilep, Ohrid, Strumica (1334) from Byzantines.
Hungarian attacks Serbia and are repelled; Serbs take Macva (1335).
1331
1337
Hundred years war between England and France (1337-1453).
Archbishop Joanikije (1337-1354), first patriarch of Serbia.
John Cantacuzenus, Byzantine emperor, seeks alliance with Dusan in Pristina (1342).
Serbs drawn into Byzantine civil war, take advantage of the conflict (1344).
Dusan takes the important city of Serres in eastern Macedonia and Mount Athos (1345).
Dusan assumes title of emperor on Christmas day (1345).
1346
Serbian church elevated to Patriarchy on Easter in Skoplje. Patriarch Joanikije crowns Dusan as Emperor of Serbs and Romans (Greeks).
Dusan and Jelena visit Mount Athos (1347).
Dusan annexes Epirus and Thessaly (1348).
1346
1348
"Black Death", the Bubonic plague, ravages Europe.
1349
Dusan's Zakonik (state law code) published.State council in Skoplje immediately promulgates the Law code.
Byzantine anathema on Serbian church. Dusan partially recaptures Hum area (1350).
Dimotika battle; Cantacuzenus, allied with Turks, defeats rival emperor John V, backed by Serbs and Bulgarians (1352).
1349
1353
John V Palaeologos restored on Byzantine throne.
Turks conquer Galipoli and enter Europe.
Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanic (1353-1391) in Bosnia.
Assumes, based on Nemanjic lineage, title king Stefan of Serbia in 1377.
Dusan sends embassy to pope Innocence VI, attempting to unite the Christian powers against the Turks (1354).
Papal embassy on Serbian court (1355).
Emperor Dusan dies at age 48 (1355).
1355
Emperor Stefan Uros V Nemanjic (1355-1371)
Dubrovnik rejects Venice and accepts Hungarian suzerainty. Power is divided between the Rector and three councils (1358).
Simeon-Sinisa Palaeologos, Dusan's half-brother, establishes virtually independent rule in Epirus and Thessaly (1359).
Serbian nobility increasingly ignores central authority (1360).
1355
1362
Turkish sultan Murad I.
1364
Charles V, king of France.
1364
The Decline (1366 - 1402)
Fragmentation of the empire and the arrival of the Ottomans (1366-1402). Despite efforts to maintain central authority within a modern and efficient state, Dusan's successors are unable to assert collective interests over the petty feudal ones - at the crucial point of the grave threat from an organized eastern invader. While the ensuing military showdowns were to mortally cripple the state, they also will have spawned a spiritual legacy that was instrumental in further shaping the national identity in the centuries to follow.
1366
Nobleman Vukasin Mrnjavcevic (1366-1371)
Crowned by Uros as a king and made co-ruler with great independence.
Despot Ugljesa, Vukasin's brother, rules the easternmost provinces of the Empire around Serres.
The battle of Marica (1371). Vukasin and Ugljesa move east to preempt Ottoman advance, but are defeated and killed.
Emperor Uros V dies (1371).
1366
1371
Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic (1371-1389)
Defeats rival nobleman Nikola Altomanovic and emerges as key ruler in central Serbia (1373).
Patriarch Jefrem (1375-1379). Reconciliation between Serbian and Byzantine patriarchies (1375).
1377
Tvrtko I Kotromanic of Bosnia assumes royal Serbian name Stefan and is crowned king of Serbia in Mileseva.
1377
1378
German emperor Charles IV dies. The beginning of the "Great schism" in the Catholic church.
Lazar officially crowned as "Lord of the Serbs and the Danube, Stefan Prince Lazar, autocrat of all the Serbs" (1378)
Patriarch Spiridon (1379-1389)
First Turkish incursion checked by Lazar at Paracin (1381).
1380
Charles VI, king of France.
Lazar sheds Hungarian vassalage (1382).
Turks take city of Serres from Byzantines (1383).
Lazar's son-in-law, Djuradj (George) II Stracimirovic Balsic (1385-1403), ruler of Zeta, recognizes Lazar's suzerainty; Lazar adds "and the Coast" to his title (1387)
Turks invade Toplica and take Nis (central Serbia) (1386).
Serbs defeat large Turkish raid at Bileca (Hercegovina) (1388).
1380
1389
The Battle of Kosovo
Major battle between invading Turks under sultan Murad I and Lazar's Serbian-led Christian army. Technically a draw, as both forces retreat and both commanders killed. Lazar's widow Milica becomes regent for young son Stefan.
Patriarch Jefrem, elected Patriarch for the second time (1389)
Hungarians under Sigismund raid Serbia from the north (1389).
Decline of Bosnian state after Tvrtko's death (1391).
Turks take Skoplje, former Serbian capital (1392).
Nobleman Vuk Brankovic (1371-1397), Lazar's son-in-law, retains southern Serbian possessions as Turkish vassal (1392).
Turks take Skadar (1393).
1394
Turkish siege of Constantinople (1394-1402).
Djuradj Balsic recovers Skadar (1395).
Battle of Rovine (1395), Serbian king Marko Mrnjavcevic and noble Konstantin Dejanovic die as Turkish vassals against Wallachian prince Mircea.
Venice takes possession of Skadar by agreement with Djuradj Balsic.
1394
1396
The end of the Vidin empire (Bulgaria). Truce between France and England.
Turks route Hungarian crusaders at Nikopolis (1396); Prince Stefan Lazarevic fights as a vassal of sultan Bayezid I.
Vuk Brankovic deposed by Turks, dies in Turkish banishment; his lands pass to Stefan Lazarevic (1397).
1398
Despot Stefan Lazarevic (1389 - 1402)
Prince Lazar's son, reconciles with the sultan.
1398
1399
Dethroned Richard III: the end of Plantagenet dynasty in England.
The Final Chapter (1402 - 1496)
The restored Despotate and its successors (1402 -1496). The Battle of Kosovo marks the traditional end of medieval Serbian statehood, but the 15th century saw a meaningful revival and unification of the land under the able Despots. While no longer a major regional power and wedged between the advancing Ottomans and opportunistic Hungarians, this state-managed nevertheless to produce lasting legacies in areas as diverse as the arts, legislation and chivalry.
1402
Battle of Angora between Mongols and Turks with Stefan as vassal. Mongols victorious, Bayezid captured, Stefan retreats (1402).
Stefan Lazarevic obtains title of Despot from Byzantine emperor (1402).
Patriarch Sava V (1400-1406)
Belgrade becomes capital of Serbia (1403).
Rebellion of Orthodox citizens in Skadar against Venetian rule, helped by nobleman Balsa III Balsic of Zeta (1405).
Patriarch Cyril (1407-1409).
1402
1407
Prince Louis de Orleans killed. Civil war in France.
Despot becomes first member of new Hungarian Order of the Dragon (1408).
Vuk Lazarevic, despot's brother, and brothers Brankovic rebel against the despot. Rebels and Turks take Pristina (1408).
Temporary division of Serbia between brothers Lazarevic (1409).
Vuk Lazarevic and Lazar Brankovic executed; despot Stefan restores southern part of Serbia (1410).
Despot Stefan actively involved in Ottoman civil war . Sultan Suleiman killed, Stefan strengthens ties with Hungary (1411).
Sultan Musa attacks Serbia. Reconciliation between despot and Djuradj Brankovic, who is declared heir to throne (1412).
Battle of Mt. Vitosa, Christian-supported Mehemmed victorious, Musa beheaded, end of Ottoman civil war (1403-1413).
Kotor surrenders to Venice (1420).
Patriarch Nikon (1420-1435).
Balsa III Balsic of Zeta (Montenegro) dies, bequeathing his lands to uncle Stefan (1421).
1422
Turkish siege of Constantinople
1422
1423
Despot Stefan supports new sultan Murad II in Turkish civil, gains alliance. Peace in Skadar between Serbia and Venice (1423).
Turkish advance on Serbia, diplomatically neutralized by Stefan with Hungarian help. Bosnian attack on Srebrnica repulsed (1425).
Stefan picks Djuradj as successor at council at Srebrnica. Agreement between despot Stefan and Hungarian king Sigismund in Tati (1426).
Despot Stefan dies (1427).
1427
Despot Djuradj Brankovic (1427 - 1456)
King Sigismund recognizes Djuradj as the new ruler of Serbia and vassal (1427).
Turks attack Serbia, take some towns, repulsed from mining center Novo Brdo. Construction of Smederevo, a strongly fortified new Serbian capital on the Danube, begins. Djuradj accepts formal Turkish overlordship (1428).
1427
1429
Djuradj reconferred title of Despot by Byzantine emperor John VIII.
1430
Construction of Smederevo, new Serbian capital, mostly complete. The Konavle war between Dubrovnik and Serbian nobleman Radoslav Pavlovic.
War between Bosnia and Serbia (1431-1433), Serbia gains control of Usora region including towns of Zvornik and Teocak.
Patriarch Nikodim II (1433-1455).
1430
1435
Contract in Arasse, the end of civil war in France.
Peace between Serbia and Venice. Despot's daughter Mara married to Turkish sultan Murad.
Battle of Godomine field (near Smederevo). Despot Djuradj cedes Danube fotress Branicevo (1437).
First fall of Smederevo to Ottomans (1439).
1439
Florentine union between Roman and Byzantine churches.
First Turkish siege of Belgrade fails, repulsed by Hungarian noble Janos Hunyady. Despot Djuradj moves to Zeta (1440).
Turks blind despot's sons Grgur and Stefan (1441).
Bosnian nobleman Stefan Vukcic Kosaca takes coastal town of Bar, Venetians Drivast and Budva (1442).
Stefan Vukcic takes title "Herceg (duke) of Saint Sava", invoking Serbian Nemanjic tradition; his main realm henceforth known as Hercegovina.
1439
1443
Pope declares crusade against the Turks. Venetians takes Bar. Skender-beg in Albania (1443-1464).
Christian Crusade ledby Hungarian king Vladislav, Hunyadi and Djuradj moves south, liberates most of Serbia and reaches Sofia.
Turkish sultan Murad formally recognizes restored Serbia with 24 towns. Hungarian crusaders defeated at Varna (1444).
Despot Djuradj restores Srebrenica (1445), his son Lazar receives hereditary rights to Despot title (1446).
Hostilities between Serbia and Venice over coastal Zeta. Hunyady defeated by Turks in second Kosovo battle (1448).
Death of sultan Murad, return of Mara Brankovic to Serbia (1451).
Peasant rebellion in Grbalj (Zeta coast) against Venice (1451-1452).
1453
End of Hundred Years' War. Fall of Constantinople, end of the Byzantine empire.
1453
1454
Turkish raids on Serbia resume; siege of Smederevo. Hunyady defeats Turks near Krusevac.
Turks take Novo Brdo. Zeta lost to Serbian despotate, divided by Turks, Venetians and semi-autonomous rule of Stefan Crnojevic (1455).
Stefan Crnojevic (1455-1465), Great Vojvoda in Zeta.
Patriarch Arsenije II (1455-1463).
1455
Failed Turkish siege of Belgrade; defending leaders, Hunyady and Cardinal John Capistrano, die in ensuing outbreak of plague. Despot Djuradj Brankovic dies at 82 (1456).
Failed Turkish siege of Belgrade; defending leaders, Hunyady and Cardinal John Capistrano, die in ensuing outbreak of plague. Despot Djuradj Brankovic dies at 82 (1456).
1455
1456
Despot Lazar Brankovic (1456 - 1458)
Serbian-Turkish peace (1457). Despot Lazar Brankovic makes limited advances north of the Danube, taking Kovin.
Turks conquer all of northern Serbia except Smederevo. Death of despot Lazar (1458).
1459
Despot Stefan Tomasevic, despot of Serbia (1459), king of Bosnia (1461-1463).
Final fall of Smederevo to Turks, the central Serbian state disappears. Stefan returns to Bosnia (1459).
1459
1465
Ivan Crnojevic (1465-1490), semi-independent ruler in Zeta (Montenegro)
Turks take Bosnia (1463), and king Stefan was beheaded.
Turks take large parts of Hercegovina. Herceg Stefan dies, succeded by son Vlatko (1466).
Turkish advance against Zeta and Albania, Ivan Crnojevic flees to coastal lands (1477).
Final Turkish attack on Hercegovina, fall of Herceg-Novi. Ivan Crnojevic returns to Zeta as semi-autonomous ruler (1481). Establishment of Cetinje as capital of Zeta and seat of Orthodox Metropolitanate (vladika).
1490
Djuradj Crnojevic (1490-1496), ruler in Montenegro
The Spanish captured Alhambra, the final Muslim stronghold in Spain. Expulsion of Jews from Spain (1492).
1490
1492
Cristopher Columbus reaches America (1492).
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal
Openning of first South Slavic Cyrillic printing press in Obod (1494).
1496
Vasco de Gama sails to India around Africa (1497).
Turks force Djuradj to flee, final Serbian land of Montenegro formally incorporated into Ottoman Empire (1496).
1496