Michael Shishman of Bulgaria

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Michael Asen III (Bulgarian: Михаил Асен III, Mihail Asen III, commonly called Michael Shishman (Михаил Шишман, Mihail Šišman) or Michael III Shishman), ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 1323 to 1330. The date of his birth is unknown. (The common usage Michael Shishman is technically inaccurate, as it consists of the name "Michael" followed by the patronymic "Shishman", i.e., "Michael [the son of] Shishman". Contemporary Bulgarian and Byzantine sources show that this emperor reigned under the name "Michael Asen".)

1 Rise to the throne
2 Involvement in Byzantine civil war
3 War against Serbia
4 Overview
5 Family
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Rise to the throne

Michael Asen III was the son of the despotēs Shishman of Vidin by an unnamed daughter of the sebastokratōr Peter and Anna (Theodora), herself daughter of Ivan Asen II and Eirene of Thessalonica. He was also a distant cousin of his predecessors on the Bulgarian throne, Theodore Svetoslav and George Terter II.

Since the middle of the 13th century, the area of Vidin had been effectively autonomous under ineffective Bulgarian overlordship, and was ruled successively by Jakov Svetoslav (died 1276), Shishman (died between 1308 and 1313), and then the future Michael Asen III. Shishman and his son received the high courtly title of despotēs from their cousin Theodore Svetoslav and, on the childless death of young George Terter II in 1323, Michael Asen III was elected emperor of Bulgaria by the nobility.

The death of George Terter II had been followed by a brief period of confusion and uncertainty, which was exploited by the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos. The Byzantines overran northeastern Thrace and captured a number of important cities. At the same time, a Byzantine-sponsored pretender, Vojsil, brother of the former Bulgarian emperor Smilec, ensconced himself in Krăn, controlling the valley between the Balkan mountains and Sredna Gora. At this point the newly elected Michael Asen III marched south against Andronikos III, while another Byzantine army was besieging Philippopolis (Plovdiv).

Although Michael Asen III managed to force Andronikos III to retreat, the Byzantines managed to take the Philippopolis while the Bulgarians were changing garrisons. In spite of this loss, Michael Asen III was able to expel Vojsil and recover Bulgarian control over northern and northeastern Thrace in 1324. This situation was confirmed by a peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire, which was cemented by Michael Asen III's marriage to Theodora Palaiologina, the sister of Andronikos III Palaiologos, who had been previously married to Theodore Svetoslav of Bulgaria.

To marry Theodora, Michael Asen III divorced his first wife Anna (Neda), a sister of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski. The Bulgaro-Byzantine alliance and Michael Asen III's divorce from Anna (Neda) resulted in a natural worsening of relations with Serbia. Undaunted, Michael Asen III undertook to support Stefan Vladislav II as a rival to Serbia's king, his former brother-in-law Stefan Uroš III. However, Stefan Vladislav failed in 1324, and Michael Asen III spent the next several years at peace with his neighbors.

[edit] Involvement in Byzantine civil war

In 1327 Michael Asen III involved himself in the renewed civil war in the Byzantine Empire, taking the side of his brother-in-law Andronikos III, while his grandfather and rival Andronikos II obtained the support of the Serbian king. Andronikos III and Michael Asen III met and concluded an aggressive alliance against Serbia.

Nevertheless, Michael Asen III entered into negotiations with Andronikos II, offering military support in exchange for money and the cession of border lands. Advancing to the frontier with his army, Michael Asen III sent a detachment to ostensibly help Andronikos II, but intended to actually capture the emperor. Forewarned by his grandson, Andronikos II prudently kept the Bulgarian detachment away from the capital and his person.

Giving up on his ploy, Michael Asen III attempted to gain some lands by force, but retreated before the advance of Andronikos III. Another showdown in front of Adrianople in 1328 ended without battle and with the renewal of the peace treaty, after which Michael Asen III returned to his country, but not before securing a large payoff.

[edit] War against Serbia

After another meeting with Andronikos III in 1329, Michael Asen III prepared for joint military operations against Serbia. According to the Serbian chroniclers, he arrogantly demanded the submission of the Serbian king and threatened to "set up his throne in the middle of the Serbian land".

In 1330, expecting to join the army of Andronikos III advancing from the south, Michael Asen III marched on Serbia with a large force, including reinforcements from his vassals and allies in Wallachia and Moldavia. The Bulgarian army encamped near Velbăžd (Kjustendil) and dispersed for the acquisition of provisions while awaiting further reinforcements and the arrival of its Byzantine allies.

The Serbians, led by Stefan Uroš III Dečanski, were also unpepared to give battle, and had agreed to a one-day truce. Receiving a sizable reinforcement led by his son Stefan Dušan during the night, the Serbian king attacked early on July 28, 1330 and caught the Bulgarian army by surprise. In spite of an attempt to bring their army to order, the Bulgarians and their allies were crushed. Badly wounded as his horse was killed under him, Michael Asen III was captured by the Serbians. He expired from his wounds on the fourth day of his captivity, on July 31, according to the Byzantine emperor and historian, John Kantakouzenos.

[edit] Overview

Michael Asen III was a vain, aggressive, and opportunistic ruler, whose Protean foreign policy perhaps contributed to the disaster that put an end to his life. At the same time he was clearly forceful and energetic, overcoming and reversing Bulgaria's losses during the uncertainty that preceded his accession, and managing to maintain internal peace and security within Bulgaria during his short reign.

[edit] Family

Michael Asen III was married first to Anna Neda of Serbia, a daughter of Stefan Uroš II Milutin of Serbia. By this marriage he had several children, including:

Ivan Stefan, who succeeded as emperor of Bulgaria 1330-1331
Michael (Mihail)
Shishman (Šišman)

By his second marriage to Theodora Palaiologina, a daughter of Michael IX Palaiologos of Byzantium, Michael Asen III had several children whose names are unknown.