Despotate of Velbazhd

Principality of Velbazhd (1373 - 1395)

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

The Despotate of Velbazhd (Bulgarian: Велбъждско деспотство, also known as Principality) was one of the short lived independent feudal states that emerged from the collapse of the Serbian Empire in 1371. It got its name from its capital Velbazhd, which today is the Bulgarian town, Kyustendil.

The principality was located between the rivers Struma and Vardar and includes many territories from the modern countries of Bulgaria, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. The Despotate was ruled by local feudal lord Jovan Dragaš and his brother Constantine Dragaš.^[1] After the Battle of Maritsa (1371) the brothers acknowledged Ottoman suzerainty and ruled their lands as vassals. Velbazhd was subjugated by the Sultan Bayezid I in 1395.

Reference

1. ^ The Bulgarians in their historical, ethnographical and political frontiers

Literature

• Велбълждско княжество в Енциклопедия България, Българската академия на науките, София, 1978, том 1
• Велбъждско княжество и Константин Драгаш в Енциклопедичен речник Кюстендил, Българската академия на науките, София, 1988