Decline_and_Ottoman_conquest Serbia_in_the_Middle_Ages

states emerged after dissolution of serbian empire in 14th century

following death of child-less emperor uroš weak in 1371 (and end of nemanjić dynasty), empire left without heir , magnates, velikaši, obtained rule of provinces , districts (in called feudal fragmentation), continuing offices independent titles such gospodin, , despot, given them during empire. period saw rise of new threat, ottomans, turkic warriors overran anatolia , subsequently balkans.

the serbian empire divided between feudal lords; without emperor, became conglomerate of aristocratic territories , , empire divided between provincial lords: marko mrnjavčević, dejanović brothers, Đurađ balšić, vuk branković, nikola altomanović, , lazar hrebeljanović. lazar managed rule of today central serbia (known moravian serbia). unable unite serbian magnates, powerful , pursued own interests, fighting each other. ottomans began raiding serbia in 1381, though actual invasion came later. in 1386, lazar s knights beat ottoman army near pločnik, in today southern serbia. invasion ottomans came in summer of 1389, time aiming towards kosovo.

battle of kosovo petar radičević

on 28 june 1389 2 armies met @ kosovo, in battle ended in draw, decimating both armies (both lazar , murad fell). battle particularly important serbian history, tradition, , national identity (see kosovo myth). now, balkans unable halt advancing ottomans. eventually, serbian nobility became ottoman vassals.

serbia managed recuperate under despot stefan lazarević, surviving 70 more years, experiencing cultural , political renaissance, after stefan lazarević s death, successors branković dynasty did not manage stop ottoman advance. serbia fell under ottomans in 1459, , remained under occupation until 1804, when serbia managed regain sovereignty.