Dejan

Dejan (; fl. 1346 – c. 1366) was a magnate who served Serbian Emperor Stefan Dušan (r. 1331–55) as sevastokrator, and Emperor Uroš V (r. 1355–71) as despot. He was married to Emperor Dušan's sister Teodora, and possessed a large province in the Kumanovo region, east of Skopska Crna Gora. It initially included the old župe (counties) of Žegligovo and Preševo (modern Kumanovo region with Sredorek, Kozjačija and the larger part of Pčinja). Uroš V later gave Dejan the Upper Struma river with Velbužd (Kyustendil). Dejan rebuilt the Zemen Monastery, one of Dejan's endowments, among others, as he also reconstructed several church buildings throughout his province.

Dejan was one of the prominent figures of Dušan's reign and during the fall of the Serbian Empire after Dušan's death. Dejan is the progenitor of the Dejanović noble family, with his two sons, despot Jovan and gospodin Konstantin, also becoming powerful during the fall of the Serbian Empire and the ensuing Ottoman period.

Life

Origin Dejan had married Teodora, the sister of King Stefan Dušan, and received the title of sevastokrator in 1346, upon Stefan Dušan's crowning as Emperor. Dejan's origin is deemed unknown. Earlier scholars believed that Dejan was a relative of Jovan Oliver, another magnate in Macedonia, but this is no longer accepted.

Stefan Dušan's reign

On Easter, 16 April 1346, Stefan Dušan convoked a massive assembly at Skopje, attended by the Serbian Archbishop Joanikije II, the Archbishop of Ochrid Nikolaj I, the Bulgarian Patriarch Simeon and various religious leaders of Mount Athos. The autocephalous Serbian Archbishopric was raised to the status of a Patriarchate. The new Patriarch, Joanikije II, now solemnly crowned Dušan as "Emperor and autocrat of Serbs and Romans (Greeks)". Dušan had his son Uroš V crowned King, giving him nominal rule over the Serbian lands, and although Dušan ruled the whole state, he had special responsibility for the "Roman", i.e. Greek lands, in the south. There was a further increase in the Byzantinization of the Serbian court, especially in court ceremonies and titles. From his new position, Dušan could grant titles only possible for an emperor to grant, such as despot, sevastokrator, and ćesar. Among the Serbian magnates were:

despot Simeon Uroš, Dušan's half-brother, duke of Epirus and Acarnania despot Jovan Asen, Dušan's brother-in-law, governor in southern Albania despot Jovan Oliver, Dušan's close associate, vojvoda and governor in Ovče Pole and left Vardar sevastokrator Dejan, Dušan's brother-in-law, governor of Pčinja sevastokrator Branko, Dušan's relative, governor of Ohrid ćesar Preljub, Dušan's son-in-law, vojvoda and governor of Thessaly ćesar Vojihna, Dušan's relative, vojvoda and governor of Drama ćesar Grgur, Dušan's relative (son of Branko), vojvoda and governor of Polog

The raising of the Serbian Patriarchate resulted in bishops becoming metropolitans. According to Stefan Dušan's charter to Arhiljevica dated 10 August 1354, possessed a large province east of Skopska Crna Gora. It included the old župe (counties) of Žegligovo and Preševo (modern Kumanovo region with Sredorek, Kozjačija and the larger part of Pčinja). The granted villages included: village Podlešane with hamlets, village Arhiljevica at the church with hamlets, village Izvor, village Ruginci (Ruǵince), selište (arable land) Mokra Poljana (Mokro Polje), village Maistorije, selište Maistorije Krupnici, selište Prusci (Rusce), selište Vrdun, selište Prvevo, selište Deikovo (Dejlovce), selište Vrače (Vračevce), selište Sedlar, selište Mekša and village Glaže (Glažnja). A total of 9 villages, 9 selište and a few hamlets. The fact that Dejan built Arhiljevica rather than renovated it is evidence of his economic strength. Under Emperor Dušan, despot Jovan Oliver, with his brother Bogdan and sevastokrator Dejan, ruled over all of eastern Macedonia. Dejan is not mentioned much in Dušan's military endeavors, although his reputation and that of his successors suggest that he was involved in most of Dušan's successes.

Uroš V's reign

Dejan received the title of despot sometime after August 1355, either from Emperor Dušan, who died on 20 December 1355, or from his heir Uroš V, most likely the latter. This province was located in the very heart of the Balkans, Dejan's daughter Teodora married Žarko, the lord of Lower Zeta, in 1356. The peace was concluded on 22 August 1362, in Onogošt (Nikšić), and the Emperor's charter confirmed the "old laws" and other laws regarding the Ragusans. Dejan and Grgur each received 100 ducats. While Vojislav lived, his influence secured the preeminence of the old Serbian nobility. S. Mandić said it may have been as early as 1358, and that Vukašin, who until then was veliki vojvoda, took Dejan's place as despot, and in turn Jovan Uglješa became veliki vojvoda. V. Ćorović believed it to have been sometime after the death of Vojislav (1363). S. Mandić also believed that it was unlikely that Dejan took monastic vows before his death, as his children were still young.

Dejan built and reconstructed several churches and monasteries throughout his province, including the rebuilding of the Zemen Monastery He and his brother later received most of Jovan Oliver's lands. It is not known why Jovan Oliver's sons did not inherit his lands. Serbian historian V. Ćorović attributed this to turmoil and disorder, though it is not known what extent it developed to and what the consequences were. Earlier scholars believed that the Dejanović were relatives of Jovan Oliver, although this is no longer accepted. In the new redistribution of feudal power, after 1371, the brothers despot Jovan and gospodin (lord) Konstantin greatly expanded their province, not only recreating their father's province, but also at least doubling the territory, on all sides, but chiefly to the south. The brothers ruled on the left riverside of the Vardar, from Kumanovo to Strumica. As Marko had done, also the Dejanović brothers recognized Ottoman sovereignty.

Family

Dejan had two marriages. First with unknown noble called Vladislava, and second with Teodora. Dejan and his first wife Vladislava had four children: Jovan (ca. 1343 – ca. 1378), despot under Emperor Uroš; vassal of the Ottoman Empire since 1373 until his death in 1378. Konstantin (fl. 1365–95), gospodin under Emperor Uroš; succeeded his brother as vassal of the Ottoman Empire from 1378 until his death in 1395. Teodora (fl. 1356–71), married firstly gospodin Žarko (in 1356), then Đurađ I Balšić (after 1371). She had a son with Žarko, Mrkša (born 1363). Dimitar Dragaš

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