Jovan Uglješa

Jovan Uglješa
Born	Jovan Uglješa Mrnjavčević
Died	26 September 1371 Maritsa
Cause of death	Killed in action
Title	Grand Voivode (Veliki Vojvoda) Despot
Religion	Serbian Orthodox (Constantinople)
Spouse	Jelena (Jefimija)
Parents	Mrnjava

Jovan Uglješa Mrnjavčević (Serbian: Јован Угљеша Мрњавчевић, Bulgarian: Иван/Йоан Углеша) was a 14th-century Serbian noble (despot) and brother of Serbian ruler Vukašin Mrnjavčević.

Life

Uglješa was the son of Mrnjava, a treasurer of Helen of Anjou, the queen consort of Stephen Uroš I of Serbia.

He held Travunia in 1346, during the rule of Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia (1331–1355).^[1]

Uglješa married Jefimija, daughter of Vojihna, the Caesar of Drama.^[2][3] This boosted the power of Uglješa, who would later govern the region alongside his father-in-law.^[3] Vojihna died in ca 1360, and his lands were inherited by Uglješa.^[4]

He was given the title of despotes by Empress Helena of Bulgaria in 1365. His province was situated along the lower course of the Struma with Serres as seat.

He made substantial donations to Mount Athos. His realm was under the religious jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople since 1368. The Patriarch mentioned the master of Serbia, Uglješa, in a letter from 1371.

Death and legacy

With the Ottoman threat rising in the Balkans, Uglesha and his brother Vulkashin tried to oppose the Turks. He was killed on 26 September 1371 in the Battle of Maritsa. Unfortunately their troops were smashed by those of Ottoman commanders Lala Shahin Pasha and Gazi Evrenos at the Battle of Maritsa in 1371. The defeat resulted in big portions of the region of Macedonia falling under Ottoman power. Additionally, both brothers were killed during the fight. Their courage and self-sacrifice made them heroes of Bulgarian and Serbian epic poetry.

Preceded by Jelena Nemanjić	Ruler of Serres 1356–1371	Succeeded by (Byzantine Empire)
Royal titles
Vacant Title last held by Stefan Konstantin	Count of Travunia 1346	Vacant Title next held by ?

References

1. ^ Književno delo monahinje Jefimije, p. 1
2. ^ Jeffreys, 2006, pp. 78-79
3. ^ ^{a b} Fajfric, p. 5
4. ^ The Late Medieval Balkans, p. 364

Sources

• Dr Željko Fajfrić, Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje, p. 5; 41-50. Šid, 1998
• 1
• [1]
• Rift within the Dynasty
• Juhas-Georgievska Ljiljana, Književno delo monahinje Jefimije, Zbornik Matice srpske za književnost i jezik, 2002, vol. 50, br. 1-2, str. 57-70, Scindeks document
• Scindeks document
• Mikloshich, F & Muller, J. "Acta et diplomata" I, 1860, pp. 571
• Novakovich, S. "Zakonski spomenici Srpskih drzhava srednjeg veka", 1912, pp. 509