Jovan Uglješa

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.

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