Four Less-Known Cases of Personal Union Projects in Southeast Europe

Authors:

Pages: 59-66
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/IQBQ6401

Abstract:

The paper discussed four episodes from the medieval Serbian past when personal unions’ concept formed the basis for resolving complex regional diplomatic relations. The first two dates in King Milutin’s (1282–1321) and Stephen Dečanski`s (1321–1331) reigns. In both instances, the unification proposals came from Bulgaria. Furthermore, Sigismund von Luxembourg (1387–1437) acquired in 1394 the right to receive the Bosnian royal crown. With the decline of Hungarian influence in Bosnia, the prospects of realizing this bold plan lost momentum. The last case examines the prevailing circumstances that led to establishing a short-lived personal union between Bosnia and the Serbian Despotate 1458/1459.

Keywords:

Personal Union, Milutin Nemanjić, Stephen Dečanski, Sigismund of Luxemburg, Stephen Tomaš, Stephen Tomašević, Bulgaria, Byzantine Empire, 15th-century Ottoman Conquest.

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