Balša III
Encyclopedia
Balša III was the fifth and last ruler of Zeta
from the House of Balša
, from April 1403 - May 1421. He was the son of Đurađ II and Jelena Lazarević.
as his father died in consequence of the injuries suffered in the Battle of Tripolje
. As he was young and inexperienced, his main advisor was his mother, Jelena, a sister of the ruler of Serbia
at the time, Stefan Lazarević
. Under the influence of his mother, Jelena, Balša III reverted the order of the state religion, passing the law whereby declaring Christian Orthodox as the official confession of the state, while Catholicism became a tolerant confession.
Balša III waged a 10-year war against Venice. In 1405, Ulcinj
, Bar
and Budva
were seized by the Venetians. Balša then became a vassal to the Ottoman Turks. In 1409, however, Venice had purchased the rights to Dalmatia from King Ladislaus of Naples and began fighting for control of Dalmatian cities. After a huge effort, Balša seized Bar from the Venetians in 1412. Venice, pressed with difficulties, had no choice but to agree to return territories it had previously seized.
Balša had waged a new war against Venice, which was connected to the war with the Hungaians and the Turks. In 1418, he conquered Shkodër
from the Venetians
, but lost Budva
and Luštica with its salt works. In the next year, 1419, he made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Budva. He went to Belgrade
to ask for aid from Stefan Lazarević
, but never returned to Zeta. In 1421, before his death and under the influence of his mother Jelena, he passed the rule of Zeta to his uncle, Despot Stefan Lazarević
.
and was mother of Queen Catherine of Bosnia and Vladislav Hercegović.
Principality of Zeta
Zeta was a medieval state, which territory encompassed parts of present-day Montenegro and Northernwestern Albania. From 1360. to 1421. Zeta was independent state administered by local noble family Balšić. From 1185. to 1360. and from 1421. - 1451, Zeta was province of medieval Serbia...
from the House of Balša
House of Balšic
The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and the coastlands , from 1362 to 1421, during the fall of the Serbian Empire. Balša, the eponymous founder, was a petty nobleman that held only one village during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and...
, from April 1403 - May 1421. He was the son of Đurađ II and Jelena Lazarević.
Reign
In April 1403, Đurađ II's 17-year old son, Balša III, inherited the rule of ZetaPrincipality of Zeta
Zeta was a medieval state, which territory encompassed parts of present-day Montenegro and Northernwestern Albania. From 1360. to 1421. Zeta was independent state administered by local noble family Balšić. From 1185. to 1360. and from 1421. - 1451, Zeta was province of medieval Serbia...
as his father died in consequence of the injuries suffered in the Battle of Tripolje
Battle of Tripolje
The Battle of Tripolje took place in November 1402 between the Serbian Despotate and the Brankovic family. The Brankovic family, who were attempting to seize the Serbian throne for themselves, entered the battle along with Turkish troops given to them by Suleiman, and were decisively defeated by...
. As he was young and inexperienced, his main advisor was his mother, Jelena, a sister of the ruler of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
at the time, Stefan Lazarević
Stefan Lazarevic
Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty...
. Under the influence of his mother, Jelena, Balša III reverted the order of the state religion, passing the law whereby declaring Christian Orthodox as the official confession of the state, while Catholicism became a tolerant confession.
Balša III waged a 10-year war against Venice. In 1405, Ulcinj
Ulcinj
Ulcinj is a coastal resort town and municipality in Montenegro. The town of Ulcinj has a population of 10,828 of which the majority are Albanians...
, Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
and Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
were seized by the Venetians. Balša then became a vassal to the Ottoman Turks. In 1409, however, Venice had purchased the rights to Dalmatia from King Ladislaus of Naples and began fighting for control of Dalmatian cities. After a huge effort, Balša seized Bar from the Venetians in 1412. Venice, pressed with difficulties, had no choice but to agree to return territories it had previously seized.
Balša had waged a new war against Venice, which was connected to the war with the Hungaians and the Turks. In 1418, he conquered Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
from the Venetians
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, but lost Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
and Luštica with its salt works. In the next year, 1419, he made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Budva. He went to Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
to ask for aid from Stefan Lazarević
Stefan Lazarevic
Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty...
, but never returned to Zeta. In 1421, before his death and under the influence of his mother Jelena, he passed the rule of Zeta to his uncle, Despot Stefan Lazarević
Stefan Lazarevic
Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty...
.
Marriage and issue
Balša III was married to Mara Topia, daughter of Nikita and granddaughter of Karl Topia. Their daughter Jelena was married to Stjepan Vukčić KosačaStjepan Vukcic Kosaca
Stjepan Vukčić Kosača was a Herzegovina nobleman. He was a member of the House of Kosača, a Grand Duke of Herzegovina, Lord of Zahumlje and Primorje and also Herzog of Serbian Saint Sava...
and was mother of Queen Catherine of Bosnia and Vladislav Hercegović.
Ancestors
See also
- House of BalšićHouse of BalšicThe Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and the coastlands , from 1362 to 1421, during the fall of the Serbian Empire. Balša, the eponymous founder, was a petty nobleman that held only one village during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and...
- Principality of ZetaPrincipality of ZetaZeta was a medieval state, which territory encompassed parts of present-day Montenegro and Northernwestern Albania. From 1360. to 1421. Zeta was independent state administered by local noble family Balšić. From 1185. to 1360. and from 1421. - 1451, Zeta was province of medieval Serbia...