B.

      BRANKOVIĆI 1427-1457

 
 
MLADEN, son of --- (-1326 or after).  He was deputy of Stefan Dušan Tsar of Serbia
at Ohrid.  Serbian Governor at Zahumlje 1324/1326[360]. 
m ---.  The name of Mladen's wife is not known. 
Mladen & his wife had two children:
1.         BRANKO Mladenović.  His parentage is confirmed by the charter dated 21 Nov
1392 under which “Vuk, filius sebastocratoris Branko, nepos vojvodæ Mladen”
promised rights to “monasterii chilandarensis”[361].  He ruled a principality in
western Macedonia, probably including Ohrid.  m ---.  The name of Branko's
wife is not known.  Branko & his wife had four children:
a)         GRGUR Branković (-before 1398).  The primary source which confirms
his parentage has not yet been identified.  m TEODORA, daughter of ---
(-after 16 Jul 1398).  The primary source which confirms her marriage
has not yet been identified. 
b)         NIKOLA Radonja Branković (-after 1365).  The primary source which
confirms his parentage has not yet been identified.  He became a monk
as ROMANOS at Chilandar (Athos) before 11 Mar
1365.  m ([1350]) JELENA Mrnjavčević, daughter of MRNJA & his wife
--- (-before 11 Mar 1365, bur Prodromooski near Serrhes).  The primary
source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been
identified.   Nikola & his wife had two children: 
i)          two daughters (-before 11 Mar 1365).  The primary source which
confirms their parentage has not yet been identified. 
c)         TEODORA [Vojislava] (-before 26 Sep 1393).  The primary source which
confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been
identified.  m GJERGJ Thopia, son of KAROLUS Thopia & his wife
Voisava Balšić (-1392).  Prince of Durazzo 1388. 
d)         VUK Branković (-6 Oct 1398).  His parentage is confirmed by the charter
dated 21 Nov 1392 under which “Vuk, filius sebastocratoris Branko,
nepos vojvodæ Mladen” promised rights to “monasterii
chilandarensis”[362].  He lost Ohrid, his territories being reduced to a
small holding around Drenica.  Taking advantage of the weakness of
Marko King of Serbia after his accession and following the battle of
Marica River in 1371, Vuk expanded his authority over Kosovo and
Macedonia, acquiring Skopje and Priština by 1376/77 and Prizren after
the death of Djurdje Balšić in Jan 1379 [363].  After Lazar Hrebljanović
and Tvrtko Ban of Bosnia defeated Nikola Altomanović, nominal Knez of
Hum, in 1373, Vuk acquired Sjenica and Zvecan [364].  He supported
Lazar Prince of Serbia at the battle of Kosovo in 1389.  He was depicted
in later Serbian epics as a traitor, which Fine suggests was due to an
effective propaganda campaign by the supporters of Regent Milica
(whom Vuk later opposed) as, according to Turkish sources, he is
reported as having fought well [365].  The nobles of Ragusa promised a
welcome in their town for “Vlk Branković et dominæ Maræ et eorum filiis
Gregorio, Georgio et Lazaro” by charter dated 9 May 1390[366].  Ottoman
armies forced him to surrender Skopje in 1392, and accept Ottoman
suzerainty[367].  He was driven into exile in [1395] by the Ottomans,
angered at the alliance he concluded with Venice in 1394.  Vuk may have
been captured and died soon after in captivity.  A charter records the
death of “Vlk Branković” 6 Oct 1398[368].  m ([1365/66]) MARA
Lazarević, daughter of LAZAR Hrebljanović Knez of Serbia & his wife
Jelena (-1426).  The Historia Byzantina of Michælis Ducæ Nepotis names
"Georgius Wulci filius" and his mother "Maria Lazari filia et Stephani
 defuncti sorore"[369].  The nobles of Ragusa promised a welcome in their
town for “Vlk Branković et dominæ Maræ et eorum filiis Gregorio,
Georgio et Lazaro” by charter dated 9 May 1390[370].  “Gregorius et
Georgius Branković cum matre Mara et fratre Lazaro” confirmed the
privileges of Ragusa by charter dated 29 Dec 1405 [371].  She became a
nun as MARINA[372].  Vuk & his wife had three children: 
i)          GRGUR (-13 Mar 1408).  The nobles of Ragusa promised a
welcome in their town for “Vlk Branković et dominæ Maræ et eorum
filiis Gregorio, Georgio et Lazaro” by charter dated 9 May
1390[373].  He was in a Tartar prison 28 Jul 1402.  “Gregorius et
Georgius Branković cum matre Mara et fratre Lazaro” confirmed the
privileges of Ragusa by charter dated 29 Dec 1405[374].  He
became a monk as GERASIM[375]. 
ii)         DJURADJ Vuković Branković ([1375]-Semendria 24 Dec
1456).  The Historia Byzantina of Michælis Ducæ Nepotis names
"Georgius Wulci filius" and his mother "Maria Lazari filia et
Stephani defuncti sorore"[376]. 
-         see below. 
iii)        LAZAR Vuković (-beheaded near Adrianople 11 Jul 1410).  The
nobles of Ragusa promised a welcome in their town for “Vlk
Branković et dominæ Maræ et eorum filiis Gregorio, Georgio et
Lazaro” by charter dated 9 May 1390 [377].  “Gregorius et Georgius
Branković cum matre Mara et fratre Lazaro” confirmed the
privileges of Ragusa by charter dated 29 Dec 1405[378]. 
2.         VITOSLAVA (-bur Banja near Pribej).  The primary source which confirms her
parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.  m ALTOMAN
VejinovićŽupan of Uzić (-1351). 
 
 
DJURADJ Vuković Branković, son of VUK Branković & his wife Mara Lazarević
([1375]-Semendria 24 Dec 1456).  The Historia Byzantina of Michælis Ducæ
Nepotis names "Georgius Wulci filius" and his mother "Maria Lazari filia et Stephani
defuncti sorore"[379].  The nobles of Ragusa promised a welcome in their town for
“Vlk Branković et dominæ Maræ et eorum filiis Gregorio, Georgio et Lazaro” by
charter dated 9 May 1390[380].  Between 1398/1402, Sultan Bayezid I restored to
him and his brother Grgur most of the lands confiscated from his father, possibly
forcing him to purchase it with money which their father had smuggled out to
Dubrovnik[381].  After returning to Serbia following the battle of Ankara, where he
fought with the Ottomans against Timur Khan, tensions with his uncle Stefan
Lazarević developed into war, but Djuradj was defeated by Stefan at Tripolje in Nov
1402[382].  “Gregorius et Georgius Branković cum matre Mara et fratre Lazaro”
confirmed the privileges of Ragusa by charter dated 29 Dec 1405 [383].  “Georgius,
Serborum despotes” is named in a charter dated 14 Oct 1410 [384], although it is
unclear whether this document means that Djuradj had temporarily replaced Stefan
Lazarević as ruler of Serbia or whether the latter had granted Djuradj the title despot
(although he would have had no right to do so) as a mark of alliance.  Whatever the
true situation, “Stephanus, Serbiæ despotes” is named in a charter dated 1412[385],
indicating that Djuradj had lost power if he had temporarily displaced Stefan.  Djuradj
was accepted as Stefan Lazarević's successor by a council of nobility held at
Srebrnica, and succeeded following Stefan's death in Jul 1427, calling
himself Lord [Gospodin] of Serbia[386].  He was awarded the title Despot by a
Byzantine envoy in May 1429[387].  “Georgius, Serbiæ despotes” donated to
“monasterio montis Atho Esphigmeni” by charter dated 11 Sep 1429, with “imagines
Georgii et conjugis Irenæ et filiorum Gregorii, Stephani (et Lazari) et “filiarum Maræ
et Cantacuzenæ”[388].  Immediately on his accession, he was faced with Hungarian
troops invading to retake Mačva and Beograd in accordance with his predecessor's
agreement with Sigismund King of Hungary and with attacks in the south by the
Ottomans who retook Niš, Kruševac and Golubac and insisted on Djuradj accepting
Ottoman suzerainty[389].  He installed his capital at the newly-built fortress of
Smederevo at the confluence of the Morava and Danube Rivers, near Belgrade, until
it fell to the Ottomans in Aug 1439[390].  By the end of the Ottoman campaign of
1439, Djuradj's only remaining Serbian territory was Novo Brdo, which fell in Jun
1441 when Serbia was annexed by the Ottomans[391].  A papally sponsored
Hungarian/Serb led crusade in 1443 recaptured Smederovo, Niš and Sofija, but was
turned back at Adrianople.  Sultan Murad II negotiated peace terms under which he
agreed to the restoration of the Serb state under Djuradj and a ten-year truce [392]. 
Djuradj refused to participate in the second crusade launched by the Hungarians the
following year, with papal encouragement, in defiance of the agreed truce and
reaffirmed his vassal ties to the Ottomans after their victory at Varna 10 Nov 1444. 
“Georgius, Serbiæ despotæ, et filii Gregorius, Stephanus et Lazarus” confirmed the
privileges of the Ragusans by charter dated 17 Sep 1445 [393].  After the fall of
Constantinople in 1453, many Greeks came to Serbia, Djuradj ransoming many from
Turkish slavery[394].  Sultan Mohammed II attacked Serbia in 1454 and again in
1455, reducing Djurdje's control to the area north of the West Morava River.  Djurdje
was captured by Mihály Szilágyi and held for ransom, but died soon after his
release[395].  Georgius Phrantzes records the death "anno 6965" of "Capistranus et
Serviæ princeps et despota Georgius Bulcus"[396]. 
[m firstly ---.  According to Nicol[397], the first wife of Djuradj Branković was the
sister of Ioannes IV Emperor of Trebizond although he cites no source to support
this.  From a chronological point of view, this is unlikely to be correct as the father of
Emperor Ioannes was born in 1382 and married in late 1395.  There appears to be
no evidence that Djuradj had a former wife[398].] 
m [secondly] ([26 Dec 1414]) EIRENE Kantakuzene, daughter of THEODOROS
Kantakuzenos & his wife --- (-Rudnik 2 May 1457).  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript
names (in order) Theodora, Maria, and Eirene as the daughters of Theodoros & his
wife, stating that Eirene married George of Serbia [399].  Theodoros Spandounes
names "il signor Georgio Cantacusino nomato Sachatai…sua sorella Helena" as
"moglie del Despoto Jurgo di Servia" but names her "Erina Cantacusina" in a later
passage[400].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 records that “le seigneur
Georges Cantacuzène...et son frère le grand domestique de Constantinople” had
three sisters and that they arranged the marriage of “la première...Irène au despote
de Serbie”[401].  “Georgius, Serbiæ despotes” donated to “monasterio montis Atho
Esphigmeni” by charter dated 11 Sep 1429, with “imagines Georgii et conjugis Irenæ
et filiorum Gregorii, Stephani (et Lazari) et “filiarum Maræ et Cantacuzenæ”[402]. 
Georgius Phrantzes records the death 2 May in "anno 6965" of "Capistranus et
Serviæ princeps et despota Georgius Bulcus…regina uxor eius"[403].  She became
known as 'Prokleta [the Cursed] Jerina' in later Serbian epics [404].  It was rumoured
that she was poisoned by her youngest son Lazar[405]. 
Djuradj & his [second] wife had [six] children: 
1.         [TODOR (-before 11 Sep 1429).  The primary source which confirms his
parentage has not yet been identified, but he is not named in the document of
his father dated 11 Sep 1429 which names his other known brothers and
sisters.] 
2.         GRGUR ([1415]-Čilandar 16/17 Oct 1459).  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript
names (in order) Gregory, Stephen, Lazar, Maria, and Cantacuzina as the
children of George of Serbia & his wife, stating that Gregory died
unmarried[406].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 records names (in
order) “Etienne...Grégoire...Lazare” as the three sons of “le seigneur Georges
Cantacuzène...[sa sœur] Irène” and her husband “[le] despote de Serbie”,
adding that “leur gendre...le grand turc” captured “Etienne et...Grégoire” and
 blinded them[407].  Theodoros Spandounes names "il primo…il Despoto
Stefano, el secundo…il Despoto Curgur…il terzo…Lazaro Despoto" as the
three sons of "Despoto Jurgo" and his wife, adding that Grgur was blinded by
the Ottomans and died in Hungary without legitimate children [408].  “Georgius,
Serbiæ despotes” donated to “monasterio montis Atho Esphigmeni” by charter
dated 11 Sep 1429, with “imagines Georgii et conjugis Irenæ et filiorum
Gregorii, Stephani (et Lazari) et “filiarum Maræ et Cantacuzenæ”[409].  He was
installed by the Ottomans as Governor in the former Branković lands in
southern Serbia in 1439.  Accused of plotting against the sultan, his
governorship was confiscated in Apr 1441, he was taken to Amaseia in Asia
Minor and blinded 8 May 1441[410].  “Georgius, Serbiæ despotæ, et filii
Gregorius, Stephanus et Lazarus” confirmed the privileges of the Ragusans by
charter dated 17 Sep 1445[411].  He became a monk as GERMAN at
Čilandar[412].  He and his son may have tried to seize power in Serbia after the
death of his brother Lazar, maybe with Turkish support [413].  m JELISAVETA,
daughter of ---.  According to the Masarelli Vatican manuscript, Grgur was
unmarried and it mentions no children[414].  Grgur had one possible illegitimate
child by an unknown mistress:
a)         [VUK Grgurević ([1438]-16 Apr 1485).  The primary source which confirms his parentage
has not yet been identified.  Hungarian general.  Titular despot of Raitzen[415].  m as her
first husband, VARVARA [Borbála] Frangepan, daughter of ANŽ Frangepan
[Frankopani] Count of Veglia [Krk] & his wife Elisabetta Morosini (-[1508]).  The primary
source which confirms her parentage and two marriages has not yet been identified.  She
married secondly Franja Berislavić de Graborja Ban of Jajce (-after 1517).] 
3.         MARA ([1416/17]-Ježovo 14 Sep 1487, bur Kosinitza, Eikosiphoinissa
monastery of the Virgin[416]).  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript names (in
order) Gregory, Stephen, Lazar, Maria, and Cantacuzina as the children of
George of Serbia & his wife, stating that Maria married Murad Sultan of Turkey
but died childless[417].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 records that the
sister of “le seigneur Georges Cantacuzène...la première...Irène” married “[le]
despote de Serbie” had two daughters, of whom “la première Mara” married “le
grand-père du sultan Djem qui fut à Rome”[418].  “Georgius, Serbiæ despotes”
donated to “monasterio montis Atho Esphigmeni” by charter dated 11 Sep
1429, with “imagines Georgii et conjugis Irenæ et filiorum Gregorii, Stephani (et
Lazari) et “filiarum Maræ et Cantacuzenæ”[419]. 
The Historia Byzantina of Michælis Ducæ Nepotis records the marriage of
"Georgii Serviæ despotæ filiam" and "Moratis"[420].  Theodoros Spandounes
records the marriage of "la figliola di Jurgo Dispoto di Servia…Maria" and "lo
imperator Amurath"[421].  She and her husband are named in the Masarelli
Vatican manuscript[422].  Nicol refers to her betrothal in Jun 1444 but states
that Mara was born from her father's first marriage (without citing the source on
which this is based)[423].  If this was correct, she would have been rather old to
have presented an attractive marriage prospect for the Sultan.  Her father
agreed her marriage in 1433 in the face of growing Ottoman pressure on his
territory, although it did not prevent further raids.  Mara's dowry was the
districts of Toplica and Dubočica[424].  It was rumoured that the marriage was
never consummated.  Georgius Phrantzes records that "Amurates ameras" had
married "despotæ Serviæ filiam", recording that she was sent back "ad
parentes" after the death of her husband and rejected a proposal for a second
marriage with Emperor Konstantinos XI[425].  Georgius Phrantzes records
that "Capistranus et Serviæ princeps et despota Georgius Bulcus…filia…cum
cæco fratre natu maximo et Thoma Cantacuzeno avunculo" went "ad ameram
et amerissam" after the death of Djuradj's wife 3 May 1457 [426].  She lived at
the court of her stepson Sultan Mohammed II, and was given an estate at
Ježevo (formerly Daphni) near Mount Athos[427].  Joined by her [half-]sister in
1469, the two ladies acted as intermediaries during the Turkish/Venetian war
 which lasted until 1479[428].  m (betrothed Jun 1433, Adrianople 4 Sep 1435)
as his sixth wife, Sultan MURAD II, son of Sultan MOHAMMED I & his second
wife Amina Khanum (Amasya Jun 1404-Adrianople 13 Feb 1451, bur Bursa,
near Muradiya Mosque). 
4.         STEFAN ([1417]-Belgrado in Friulia 9 Oct 1476).  The Masarelli Vatican
manuscript names (in order) Gregory, Stephen, Lazar, Maria, and Cantacuzina
as the children of George of Serbia & his wife[429].  The manuscript Vaticanus
latinus 4789 records names (in order) “Etienne...Grégoire...Lazare” as the three
sons of “le seigneur Georges Cantacuzène...[sa sœur] Irène” and her husband
“[le] despote de Serbie”, adding that “leur gendre...le grand turc” captured
“Etienne et...Grégoire” and blinded them[430].  Theodoros Spandounes names
"il primo…il Despoto Stefano, el secundo…il Despoto Curgur…il terzo…Lazaro
Despoto" as the three sons of "Despoto Jurgo" and his wife[431].  “Georgius,
Serbiæ despotes” donated to “monasterio montis Atho Esphigmeni” by charter
dated 11 Sep 1429, with “imagines Georgii et conjugis Irenæ et filiorum
Gregorii, Stephani (et Lazari) et “filiarum Maræ et Cantacuzenæ”[432].  Citizen
of Venice 1435.  He was taken to Amaseia in Asia Minor and blinded 8 May
1441[433].  “Georgius, Serbiæ despotæ, et filii Gregorius, Stephanus et
Lazarus” confirmed the privileges of the Ragusans by charter dated 17 Sep
1445[434].  Georgius Phrantzes records that "Capistranus et Serviæ princeps
et despota Georgius Bulcus…filia…cum cæco fratre natu maximo et Thoma
Cantacuzeno avunculo" went "ad ameram et amerissam" after the death of
Djuradj's wife 3 May 1457[435].  After the death of his brother Lazar, he
attempted to assume power together with Lazar's widow, but was exiled from
Serbia by his sister-in-law immediately after her daughter's marriage to Stjepan
Tomašević King of Bosnia[436].  “Stephanum Branković” commended
“conjugem et liberos, Georgium, Maram et Ioannem” to the Ragusans on his
deathbed by charter dated 1 Oct 1476[437].  m (Skutari 1461) ANGELJINA
Araniti, daughter of GJERGJ Komino Araniti & his first wife Maria Musaki (-
Krušedol 1516).  A manuscript which records details of the Musaki family
names "la prima signora Andronica, la seconda signora Goysava, la terza
signora Chiranna, la quarta signora Helena, la quinta signora Despina, la sesta
signora Angelina, la settima signora Comita, l´ottava signora Caterina" as the
eight daughters of "signor Arainiti Comnino…signor de Cerminica et de
Mochino e de Spatennia" and his wife "signora Maria [Musachi]", adding that
Agneljina married "signor Stefano…figliolo del signor Despoto de Servia…
Giorgio"[438].  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript names Angelina Arianiti as the
wife of Stephen[439].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 records that
“Etienne”, son of “le seigneur Georges Cantacuzène...[sa sœur] Irène” and her
husband “[le] despote de Serbie”, married “la fille de l´Albanais, la sœur du
seigneur Constantin”[440].  Theodoros Spandounes records that "Stefano
Despoto" married "Angelina figliola del signor Golemo Araniti"[441].  “Angelina,
uxor Stephani despotæ” is named in an undated inscription [442].  “Stephanum
Branković” commended “conjugem et liberos, Georgium, Maram et Ioannem” to
the Ragusans on his deathbed by charter dated 1 Oct 1476[443].  “Angelina et
filii eius” promised donations to “monasterio S. Pauli in monte Atho” by charter
dated 3 Nov 1495[444].  She became a nun at Krušedol in Hungary[445]. 
Stefan & his wife had five children: 
a)         DJORDJE Stefanović ([1462]-18 Jan 1516).  The Masarelli Vatican
manuscript names (in order) John, George, Irene, Maria as the children
of Stephen & his wife[446].  Theodoros Spandounes names "Jurgo et
Ioanne Despoti" as the two sons of "Stefano Despoto" and his wife[447]. 
“Stephanum Branković” commended “conjugem et liberos, Georgium,
Maram et Ioannem” to the Ragusans on his deathbed by charter dated 1
Oct 1476[448].  Hungarian titular despot at Raitzen 1486/1496. 
 Metropolitan of Wallachia after 1507.  Archbishop of Belgrade before
1514.  He became a monk as MAKSIM[449].  mISABELLA del Balzo,
daughter of AGILPERTO del Balzo Duca di Nardo & his wife Antonia
Sanseverino Ctsa di Castro e Ugento (-1498).  The primary source which
confirms her parentage and marriage has not yet been identified.   D|
jordje & his wife had one child: 
i)          JELISAVETA .  The primary source which confirms her parentage
and marriage has not yet been identified.  m ALESSIO Span Lord
of Drivasto and Polog (-1495)
b)         MARIJA Branković ([1464/66]-27 Aug 1495).  The Masarelli Vatican
manuscript names (in order) John, George, Irene, Maria as the children
of Stephen & his wife, stating that Maria married Bonifazio marchese of
Monferrato[450].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 records that the
daughter of “Etienne”, son of “[le] despote de Serbie”, and his wife “la fille
de l´Albanais, la sœur du seigneur Constantin” married “le marquis de
Monferrat et eut trois enfants”[451].  A continuation of the Chronica
Jacobi de Aquis names "Maria di Servia" as the second wife of
"Bonifacio", third son of "Zoanne Jacobo figlolo di Teodoro"[452]. 
“Stephanum Branković” commended “conjugem et liberos, Georgium,
Maram et Ioannem” to the Ragusans on his deathbed by charter dated 1
Oct 1476[453].  A manuscript which records details of the Musaki family
names "signora Maria" as the daughter of "signor Stefano…figliolo del
signor Despoto de Servia…Giorgio" and his wife, adding that she married
"il signor marchese de Monferrato"[454].  Theodoros Spandounes records
that "figliola…Maria…[di Stefano Despoto]" married "signor Bonifatio
marchese di Monferrato"[455].  m (by proxy Innsbruck 8 Jul 1485) as his
third wife, BONIFACIO IV Marchese di Monferrato, son of
GIANGIACOMO Marchese di Monferrato & his wife Jeanne de Savoie
(Jun 1424-31 Jan 1494). 
c)         JOVAN Stefanović ([1465/67]-10 Dec 1502).  The Masarelli Vatican
manuscript names (in order) John, George, Irene, Maria as the children
of Stephen & his wife[456].  Theodoros Spandounes names "Jurgo et
Ioanne Despoti" as the two sons of "Stefano Despoto" and his wife[457]. 
“Stephanum Branković” commended “conjugem et liberos, Georgium,
Maram et Ioannem” to the Ragusans on his deathbed by charter dated 1
Oct 1476[458].  Hungarian titular despot at Raitzen 1496/1502.  “Ioannes,
Serbiæ despotes” donated land to “monasterio Krušedol” by charter
dated 4 May 1496[459].  m as her first husband, JELENA Jakšić,
daughter of STEFAN Jakšić & his wife --- (-after 1529).  “Helena, Serbiæ
despotissa” donated to “monasterio Chilandar” by charter dated 11 Jun
1502[460].  The primary source which confirms her parentage and two
marriages has not yet been identified.  She married secondly
(1503) Ivaniš Berislavić, heir of the despotate of Raitzen.  Jovan & his
wife had two children: 
i)          MARIJA Branković (-1540).  This daughter (unnamed) and her
husband are mentioned in the Masarelli Vatican manuscript[461]. 
The primary source which confirms her name and marriage has not
yet been identified.  m (before 1509) FERDINÁND [Alfons] Count
Frangepán, son of BERNÁT Graf Frangepán at Modruš and
Vinodol & his wife donna Luisa Marzano d'Aragona (-[1527]).  
ii)         JELENA [Ekaterina] (before 1502-murdered after 1552).  The
primary source which confirms her parentage and marriage has not
yet been identified.  She was strangled[462].  m (1530) as his
second wife, PETER IV Rareş Lord of Transylvania and the Moldau
(-3 Sep 1546). 
 d)         IRENA (-young).  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript names (in order)
John, George, Irene, Maria as the children of Stephen & his wife[463]. 
e)         MILICA Branković ([1474]-30 Jan 1554).  The primary source which
confirms her parentage and two possible marriages has not yet been
identified.  She founded Kružedol convent 15 Jun 1519.  She became a
nun as Platonida.  She died of the plague.  [464][m
firstly ---.]  m [secondly] NEAGOE Basaraba Lord of Wallachia, son of
PÎRVU Craiovescu & Neaçsa de Hotărani, heiress of Brancovani (-15
Sep 1521). 
5.         CANTACUZINA [Catherina] (-Ježovo [1490/92]).  The Masarelli Vatican
manuscript names (in order) Gregory, Stephen, Lazar, Maria, and Cantacuzina
as the children of George of Serbia & his wife, stating that Cantacuzina married
Ulrich count of Cilly[465].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 records that
the sister of “le seigneur Georges Cantacuzène...la première...Irène” married
“[le] despote de Serbie” had two daughters, of whom “l´autre [=la deuxième]”
married “[le] seigneur Ulrich”[466].  “Georgius, Serbiæ despotes” donated to
“monasterio montis Atho Esphigmeni” by charter dated 11 Sep 1429, with
“imagines Georgii et conjugis Irenæ et filiorum Gregorii, Stephani (et Lazari) et
“filiarum Maræ et Cantacuzenæ”[467].  Theodoros Spandounes records that "el
Dispoto Jurgo di Servia…figliola…Catherina" married "uno fratello dello
imperador Federico di casa d´Austria, conte de Cil"[468].  Heiress of Belgrado. 
She succeeded to his properties on the death of her husband but was obliged
to conclude a treaty 15 Dec 1457 with Friedrich III Duke of Austria under which
the latter received all the Cilli castles in Carinthia, Styria and Carniola while
Katarina retained the family castles in Hungary and Croatia.  However, in 1460
she was obliged to sell her remaining properties to Vitovec Ban of Slavonia,
and retired to Dubrovnik[469].  Nicol says that she joined her [younger]
[half-]sister Mara at Ježevo in 1469 [470].  "Catherina comitissa Cillii" donated
"castrum Bellogradi" to "Mathaeo Spandonino equiti et comiti palatino" for the
love of "nepotis sue, uxoris dicti Mathaei" by document dated 9 Dec 1488 at
Constantinople[471].  m (20 Apr 1434) ULRIC von Celje, son of FREDERIC
Graf von Celje [Cilly] & his first wife (1406-murdered Belgrade 9 Nov 1456). 
6.         LAZAR Branković ([1421]-20 Jan 1458).  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript
names (in order) Gregory, Stephen, Lazar, Maria, and Cantacuzina as the
children of George of Serbia & his wife [472].  The manuscript Vaticanus
latinus 4789 records names (in order) “Etienne...Grégoire...Lazare” as the three
sons of “le seigneur Georges Cantacuzène...[sa sœur] Irène” and her husband
“[le] despote de Serbie”[473].  Theodoros Spandounes names "il primo…il
Despoto Stefano, el secundo…il Despoto Curgur…il terzo…Lazaro Despoto"
as the three sons of "Despoto Jurgo" and his wife[474].  “Georgius, Serbiæ
despotes” donated to “monasterio montis Atho Esphigmeni” by charter dated
11 Sep 1429, with “imagines Georgii et conjugis Irenæ et filiorum Gregorii,
Stephani (et Lazari) et “filiarum Maræ et Cantacuzenæ”[475].  “Georgius,
Serbiæ despotæ, et filii Gregorius, Stephanus et Lazarus” confirmed the
privileges of the Ragusans by charter dated 17 Sep 1445[476].  Byzantine
despot 1446.  He succeeded his father in 1456 as Despot of Serbia, but
submitted to Sultan Mohammed II in Jan 1457.  His short reign seems to have
been marked by family quarrels with his mother and brother, in the face of
extreme threat of an Ottoman invasion.  He appointed Michael Andjelović
[Angelos] as Grand Vojvoda in Serbia, who after Lazar's death was chosen to
lead a collective council to rule Serbia [477].  Georgius Phrantzes records the
death in Nov "anno 6966" of "Lazarus despota" and that "ameras Mehemeti"
sent "beglerbego suo" to capture "Smentorobum et totam
Serviam"[478].  m (Semendria [Oct/18 Dec] 1446) HELENE Palaiologina,
daughter of THOMAS Palaiologos Despot of Morea & Aikaterina Asanina
Zachariaina Lady of Arcadia ([1431][479]-Leukas 7 Nov 1473).  Georgius
Phrantzes records that in Oct in "anni 6955" "Helena Despœna, Thomas
despotæ filia" was sent to Serbia to marry "Lazaro, filio Georgii despotæ"[480]. 
The Masarelli Vatican manuscript records that Lazar married a daughter of
Despot Thomas Palaiologos[481].  The manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789
records that “Lazare”, son of “le seigneur Georges Cantacuzène...[sa sœur]
Irène” and her husband “[le] despote de Serbie”, married “la fille du despote de
Morée, le seigneur Thomas”[482].  Theodoros Spandounes records that
"Lazaro Despoto" married "la figliola di Thoma Paleologo Dispoto della
Morea"[483].  After her husband's death, she attempted to assume power in
Serbia together with her brother-in-law Stefan[484].  Local Serbs rebelled after
Ottomans seized Smederevo in Mar 1458, taking Michael Andjelović prisoner,
which enabled Jelena to assume power.  She arranged the marriage of her
daughter to the King of Bosnia in an attempt to gather support for her position. 
The Ottomans captured Smederevo during a major assault 20 Jun 1459 which
marked the final end of the Serbian state [485].  She fled with her two younger
daughters to the island of Leukas[486], where she converted to Catholicism
and became a nun as HYPOMONE[487].  Georgius Phrantzes records that in
autumn "anni 6977 regina domina Helena Palaeologa despotæ Serviæ uxor"
left "ad rem publicam Venetorum" from Corfu[488].  Georgius Phrantzes
records the death 7 Nov "anni 6982" of "Helena Palaeologa regina,
monacha…Hypomone"[489].  Lazar & his wife had three children: 
a)         JELENA Branković (1447-in Hungary after 1498).  The Masarelli Vatican
manuscript names (in order) Maria, Militzia and Irene as the children of
Lazar & his wife, stating that Maria married the king of Bosnia and had
issue[490].  Theodoros Spandounes names "Maria…la seconda…
Miliza…la terza et ultima Erina" as the three daughters of "Lazaro
Despoto" and his wife, adding that "Maria" married "rè Stephano di
Bossina"[491].  She adopted the name MARIJA on her marriage.  She
fled to the coast after Bosnia was annexed by the Ottomans[492]. 
According to Runciman, Queen Marija was taken into the harem of a
Turkish general[493].  m (Smederevo 1 Apr 1459) STJEPAN Tomašević
of Bosnia, son of STJEPAN TOMAŠ King of Bosnia & his first wife
Vojača (-beheaded Jajce Jun 1463).  He was created despot on his
marriage, presumably by his mother-in-law although she had no right to
grant this title[494].  He and his wife escaped to Bosnia after Smederevo
was captured by the Ottomans 20 Jun 1459 [495].  He succeeded his
father 1461 as STJEPAN King of Bosnia.  He sought outside help
against the Ottomans from the Pope, and also requested a royal crown,
which he received from the Papal legate in Nov 1461 [496].  The
Ottomans invaded Bosnia in 1463, captured the King who was brought
before the Sultan and beheaded. 
b)         JERINA .  The Masarelli Vatican manuscript names (in order) Maria,
Militzia and Irene as the children of Lazar & his wife, stating that Irene
married John son of Scanderbeg and had issue[497].  The
manuscript Vaticanus latinus 4789 names “deux filles, Milica et Maria” as
the children of “Lazare”, son of “[le] despote de Serbie”, and his wife “la
fille du despote de Morée, le seigneur Thomas”, adding that “Maria”
married “le fils de Scandarbec”[498].  Theodoros Spandounes names
"Maria…la seconda…Miliza…la terza et ultima Erina" as the three
daughters of "Lazaro Despoto" and his wife, adding that "Erina" married
"Ioanne Castrioto Duca di Santo Pietro"[499].  A manuscript which
records details of the Musaki family records that "il signor Giovanni
Castrioto…Duca de Santo Pietro in Galatina" married "la signora donna
Erina Paliologa…fiiglia del signor Lazaro Despoto de Servia", and names
 their surviving children "Don Ferrante Castrioto…Duca de Santo Petro"
and "Donna Maria Castriota"[500]. 

[360] ES III 187. 

[361] Monumenta Serbica, CCVII, p. 222. 
[362] Monumenta Serbica, CCVII, p. 222. 
[363] Fine (1994), p. 383. 
[364] Fine (1994), p. 385. 
[365] Fine (1994), p. 413. 
[366] Monumenta Serbica, CCIII, p. 215. 
[367] Fine (1994), p. 412. 
[368] Monumenta Serbica, CCXXIII, p. 231. 
[369] Ducæ Michælis Nepotis, 30, p. 205. 
[370] Monumenta Serbica, CCIII, p. 215. 
[371] Monumenta Serbica, CCLII, p. 269. 
[372] ES III 187. 
[373] Monumenta Serbica, CCIII, p. 215. 
[374] Monumenta Serbica, CCLII, p. 269. 
[375] ES III 187. 
[376] Ducæ Michælis Nepotis, 30, p. 205. 
[377] Monumenta Serbica, CCIII, p. 215. 
[378] Monumenta Serbica, CCLII, p. 269. 
[379] Ducæ Michælis Nepotis, 30, p. 205. 
[380] Monumenta Serbica, CCIII, p. 215. 
[381] Fine (1994), p. 426. 
[382] Fine (1994), pp. 501-2. 
[383] Monumenta Serbica, CCLII, p. 269. 
[384] Monumenta Serbica, CCLVII, p. 277. 
[385] Monumenta Serbica, CCLVIII, p. 277. 
[386] Fine (1994), pp. 524-6. 
[387] Fine (1994), p. 526. 
[388] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[389] Fine (1994), p. 526-8. 
[390] Fine (1994), pp. 529-30, and Nicol (1994), p. 110. 
[391] Fine (1994), p. 531. 
[392] Fine (1994), p. 548-9. 
[393] Monumenta Serbica, CCCL, p. 433. 
[394] Fine (1994), p. 529. 
[395] Fine (1994), p. 570. 
[396] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 15, p. 386. 
[397] Nicol (1994), p. 110. 
[398] Morris Bierbrier, in a private email to the author. 
[399] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[400] Theodore Spandounes (Spandugnino), De la origine deli Imperatori Ottomani, Sathas,
C. N. (ed.) (1890) Documents inédits relatifs à l'histoire de la Grèce au moyen âge, IX (Paris),
pp. 151 and 153. 
[401] Brayer, E., Lemerle, P., Laurent, V. ‘Le Vaticanus latinus 4789: histoire et alliances des
Cantacuzènes aux XIV-XV siécle’, Revue des études byzantines, Tome 9 (1951) (“Laurent
‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951)”), pp. 74-5, available at
<http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/rebyz_0766-
5598_1951_num_9_1_1037> (21 Dec 2012).   
[402] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[403] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 15, p. 386. 
[404] Fine (1994), p. 529. 
[405] Nicol (1994), p. 115. 
[406] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[407] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[408] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[409] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[410] Fine (1994), p. 531, and Nicol (1994), p. 112. 
[411] Monumenta Serbica, CCCL, p. 433. 
[412] ES III 187. 
[413] Fine (1994), p. 574. 
[414] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[415] ES III 187.  
[416] Nicol (1994), pp. 118-19. 
[417] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[418] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[419] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[420] Ducæ Michælis Nepotis, 33, p. 231. 
[421] Spandounes, p. 152. 
[422] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[423] Nicol (1994), p. 111. 
[424] Fine (1994), p. 530. 
[425] Georgius Phrantzes Liber III, 1, p. 213. 
[426] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 15, p. 386. 
[427] Nicol (1994), p. 115. 
[428] Nicol (1994), p. 116. 
[429] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[430] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[431] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[432] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[433] Nicol (1994), p. 112. 
[434] Monumenta Serbica, CCCL, p. 433. 
[435] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 15, p. 386. 
[436] Fine (1994), pp. 572 and 573. 
[437] Monumenta Serbica, CDXLII, p. 518. 
[438] Hopf, C. (1873) Chroniques gréco-romanes inédites ou peu connues (Berlin), Breve
memoria de li discendenti de nostra casa Musachi, pp. 284-5. 
[439] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[440] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[441] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[442] Monumenta Serbica, CDXCV, p. 572. 
[443] Monumenta Serbica, CDXLII, p. 518. 
[444] Monumenta Serbica, CDLXII, p. 539. 
[445] ES III 187. 
[446] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[447] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[448] Monumenta Serbica, CDXLII, p. 518. 
[449] ES III 187. 
[450] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[451] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[452] Moriondus, J. B. (1790) Monumenta Aquensia (Turin), Pars II, Historiam
Aquensem,Monferratensem ac Pedemontanam, col. 177. 
[453] Monumenta Serbica, CDXLII, p. 518. 
[454] Breve memoria de li discendenti de nostra casa Musachi, p. 285. 
[455] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[456] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[457] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[458] Monumenta Serbica, CDXLII, p. 518. 
[459] Monumenta Serbica, CDLXIII, p. 541. 
[460] Monumenta Serbica, CDLXX, p. 546. 
[461] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[462] ES III 187. 
[463] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[464] ES III 187. 
[465] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[466] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[467] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[468] Spandounes, p. 152. 
[469] Fine (1994), pp. 553-4. 
[470] Nicol (1994), p. 116. 
[471] Sathas Tome IX (1890), p. xiv, quoting Valentinelli, J. (1864) Regesta documentorum
Germaniæ historiam illustrantium (Munich), p. 238. 
[472] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[473] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[474] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[475] Monumenta Serbica, CCCIV, p. 359. 
[476] Monumenta Serbica, CCCL, p. 433. 
[477] Fine (1994), p. 572. 
[478] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 15, p. 386. 
[479] In view of the date of her own marriage, and probable birth of her eldest daughter in
1447, Helena must have been born in the early years of her parents' marriage. 
[480] Georgius Phrantzes Liber II, 19, p. 202. 
[481] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[482] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[483] Spandounes, p. 158. 
[484] Fine (1994), p. 572. 
[485] Fine (1994), p. 575. 
[486] Runciman, S. (2000) The Fall of Constantinople 1453 (Cambridge University Press,
Canto edition), pp. 182-3. 
[487] ES III 187. 
[488] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 23, p. 446. 
[489] Georgius Phrantzes Liber IV, 23, p. 450. 
[490] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[491] Spandounes, p. 159. 
[492] Fine (1994), p. 584. 
[493] Runciman, S. (2000) The Fall of Constantinople 1453 (Cambridge University Press,
Canto edition), p. 182. 
[494] Despot was a title which, according to long tradition, could only by granted by an
Emperor, originally only the Byzantine Emperor but extended to themselves by Emperors
(Tsars) of Serbia as well as Bulgaria. 
[495] Fine (1994), p. 575. 
[496] Fine (1994), pp. 583-4. 
[497] Massarelli, A. Dell'Imperadori  Constantinopolitani Vat. Lat. 12127 f. 349v-353.  [MB]
[498] Laurent ‘Vaticanus latinus 4789’ (1951), p. 75.   
[499] Spandounes, p. 159. 
[500] Breve memoria de li discendenti de nostra casa Musachi, p. 284.