Siege of Lovech
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Lovech took place in the spring of 1187 between the forces of Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire
.
and Peter
led an uprising
against the Byzantines to restore the Bulgarian Empire
. The whole region of Moesia
except for Varna
was quickly liberated and the brothers started attacking the Byzantine garrisons to the south of the Balkan mountains
. The Bulgarian tactics included quick assaults and haste movement and the Byzantines were unable to charge them.
In order to change that situation, the Byzantine Emperor, Isaac II Angelos
, decided to move the military actions to northern Bulgaria and strike directly to the rebel's heartlands around Tarnovo.
). The campaign was planned to surprise the Bulgarians. However, the harsh weather conditions and the early winter postponed the Byzantines and their army had to stay in Sredets during the whole winter.
In the spring on the following year, the campaign was resumed but the element of surprise was gone and the Bulgarians had taken measures to bar the way to their capital Tarnovo. The Byzantines had to besiege the strong fortress of Lovech. The siege lasted for three month and was a complete failure for Isaac Angelos. Their only success was the capture of Asen's wife but Isaac Angelos was forced to make a truce thus de facto
recognizing the restoration of the Bulgarian Empire.
, was sent as a hostage to Constantinople
to guarantee the peace. However, Niketas Choniates noted that the situation became even more grim for the Byzantines. Soon after the siege the Bulgarians in Macedonia
rebelled under Dobromir Chrysos.
The peace lasted until 1189 when due to the Bulgarian proposal to support the Third Crusade
against the Byzantines, Isaac Angelos launched another campaign and suffered a heavy defeat in the Battle of Tryavna
, which confirmed the Bulgarian military superiority in the war.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
.
Origins of the conflict
In 1185, the brothers AsenIvan Asen I of Bulgaria
Ivan Asen I ruled as emperor of Bulgaria 1189–1196. The year of his birth is unknown.-Life:...
and Peter
Peter IV of Bulgaria
Peter IV ruled as emperor of Bulgaria 1185–1197. Together with his brother Asen he managed to restore the Bulgarian Empire after nearly 170 years of Byzantine domination.-Name:...
led an uprising
Vlach-Bulgarian Rebellion
The Uprising of Asen and Peter was a revolt of Bulgarians and Vlachs living in the theme of Paristrion of the Byzantine Empire, caused by a tax increase...
against the Byzantines to restore the Bulgarian Empire
Bulgarian Empire
Bulgarian Empire is a term used to describe two periods in the medieval history of Bulgaria, during which it acted as a key regional power in Europe in general and in Southeastern Europe in particular, rivalling Byzantium...
. The whole region of Moesia
Moesia
Moesia was an ancient region and later Roman province situated in the Balkans, along the south bank of the Danube River. It included territories of modern-day Southern Serbia , Northern Republic of Macedonia, Northern Bulgaria, Romanian Dobrudja, Southern Moldova, and Budjak .-History:In ancient...
except for Varna
Varna
Varna is the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and third-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv, with a population of 334,870 inhabitants according to Census 2011...
was quickly liberated and the brothers started attacking the Byzantine garrisons to the south of the Balkan mountains
Balkan Mountains
The Balkan mountain range is a mountain range in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. The Balkan range runs 560 km from the Vrashka Chuka Peak on the border between Bulgaria and eastern Serbia eastward through central Bulgaria to Cape Emine on the Black Sea...
. The Bulgarian tactics included quick assaults and haste movement and the Byzantines were unable to charge them.
In order to change that situation, the Byzantine Emperor, Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II Angelos was Byzantine emperor from 1185 to 1195, and again from 1203 to 1204....
, decided to move the military actions to northern Bulgaria and strike directly to the rebel's heartlands around Tarnovo.
The siege
In the late autumn of 1186, the Byzantine army marched northwards through Sredets (SofiaSofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
). The campaign was planned to surprise the Bulgarians. However, the harsh weather conditions and the early winter postponed the Byzantines and their army had to stay in Sredets during the whole winter.
In the spring on the following year, the campaign was resumed but the element of surprise was gone and the Bulgarians had taken measures to bar the way to their capital Tarnovo. The Byzantines had to besiege the strong fortress of Lovech. The siege lasted for three month and was a complete failure for Isaac Angelos. Their only success was the capture of Asen's wife but Isaac Angelos was forced to make a truce thus de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
recognizing the restoration of the Bulgarian Empire.
Aftermath
According to the treaty, the youngest of the Asen brothers, KaloyanKaloyan of Bulgaria
Kaloyan the Romanslayer , Ivan II , ruled as emperor of Bulgaria 1197-1207. He is the third and youngest brother of Peter IV and Ivan Asen I who managed to restore the Bulgarian Empire...
, was sent as a hostage to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
to guarantee the peace. However, Niketas Choniates noted that the situation became even more grim for the Byzantines. Soon after the siege the Bulgarians in Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
rebelled under Dobromir Chrysos.
The peace lasted until 1189 when due to the Bulgarian proposal to support the Third Crusade
Third Crusade
The Third Crusade , also known as the Kings' Crusade, was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin...
against the Byzantines, Isaac Angelos launched another campaign and suffered a heavy defeat in the Battle of Tryavna
Battle of Tryavna
The battle of Tryavna occurred in 1190 in the mountains around the contemporary town of Tryavna, central Bulgaria. The result was a Bulgarian victory over the Byzantine Empire, which secured the successes achieved since the beginning of the Rebellion of Asen and Peter in 1185.- Origins of the...
, which confirmed the Bulgarian military superiority in the war.
Sources
- Йордан Андреев, Милчо Лалков, Българските ханове и царе, Велико Търново, 1996.