Đurađ II of Zeta

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Đurađ II was the 4th ruler of the Independent Principality of Zeta, in accordance to the House of Balša. Đurađ II was the son of Stracimir, one of the 3 sons of Balša I. Đurađ II full name was Đurađ II Stracimirović Balšić. He ruled Zeta from September 18, 1385 - April 1403. His wife, Jelena, was the daughter of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, and sister to Serbian 'Despot' Stefan Lazarević.

[edit] Reign of Zeta

Đurađ II had enormous difficulties to control the local feudal lords. He did not have any control over the feudal lords in the entire Upper Zeta. In addition, the feudal lords around Onogost (a city in present-day Montenegro now known as Nikšić) accepted the Venetian protection and particularly did so Radič Crnojević, who controlled the area between Budva and Mount Lovćen. Moreover, a number of Arbanas feudal lords, particularly Lekë Dukagjini and Paul Dukagjini joined the conspiration against Đurađ II.

Having this in mind as well as the constant danger from the Turks, Đurađ II maintained good family ties with Serbian rulers of the time, Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović. His mother, Milica Mrnjavčević, was a sister of Prince Vukašin Mrnjavčević of Serbia, and he married Jelena who was a daughter of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović of Serbia.

In later years, Đurađ II played skillful diplomatic games to enhance the rivalry between the Turks and the Venetians. For that purpose, he offered Shkodër to both hoping that he will be able to keep it eventually. For two years, the Turks and the Venetians fought over Shkodër to leave it eventually to Đurađ II, who was neutral in the conflict. Similarly, the rivalry between the Venetians and the Hungarians brought a benefit to Balsa II. After the heavy defeat of his forces in the hands of Venetians near Nikopolje, the Hungarian King Sigismund gave the title of Prince of Arbania and chiftainship of Hvar and Korčula (Islands now in present-day Croatia) to Đurađ II.

In the feud between Turkish vassal, Đurađ Branković and his uncle, Stefan Lazarević (son of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović), who later received the title of Byzantine despot, Đurađ II sided with Stefan. Due to Đurađ's support, Stefan defeated Turkish forces led by Đurađ Branković in the Battle of Gračanica on Kosovo field in June 21, 1402

[edit] Death

In 1403, Đurađ II died due to consequence of the injuries suffered in the Battle of Gračanica. Balša III, Đurađ II's 17 year old son, took control of Zeta.