Medieval Serbian Army

Infobox War Faction
name= Medieval Serbian Army
war= the wars of the Serbian Principalities and Serbian Empire


caption=
active= 7th - 15th century
ideology=
leaders= Serbian Emperor (Commander-in-chief)
headquarters=
area= Balkans
strength=
partof= Serbian Empire
previous=
allies= Byzantine Empire,
opponents= Ottomans, Bulgarians and others

The Serbian Medieval army was well-known for its strength and was among the top Balkan armies before the Ottoman expansion.

Prior to the 14th century the army consisted of Byzantine-style Noble Cavalries ("Vlastela") armed with bows and lances (replaced with crossbows in the 14th century) and Infantry forces armed with spears, javelins and bows. With the economic growth from mining, Mercenary knights from other countries were recruited to finalize and increase the effectiveness of the army. The Army fought predominantly from the Balkan mountains. The Serb Army complemented the Byzantine Army in substantial numbers in the beginning and had later support of the Hungarian Army as well.

History

1000-1100

a Byzantine army led by Constantine Monomachus was destroyed by Vojislav in 1042/1043.

1100-1200

The Serbs unificated the Serbian states of Rascia and Duklja to a powerful Serbia under Stefan Nemanja's rule, 16 years of war against the Byzantine Empire resulted in full autonomy for Serbia in 1172, although Serbia continued to be an important ally of the Byzantines.

1200-1300

1300-1400

Serbia defeated Bulgaria in the Battle of Kyustendil in 1330 and paved away for the Serbian Empire to further grow.

The most powerful time of the Serbian Army was under Emperor Stefan Dushan, who conquered half of Greece, whole Albania and annexed Thessaly and Epirus. After Dushan's reign, Serbia declined in power due to defeats to the Ottomans at Marcia 1371 and Kosovo Polje 1389.

1400-1500

After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans, lead by Mohammed the conquerer annexed Serbia in 1459, putting an end to the structured Serbian Army.