Vukašin Mrnjavčević distinguishes himself among the regional noblemen who by spreading their power and influence after the death of emperor Dušana contributed to the fall of the Serbian state. he was the lord of the area covering the best part of the present FYR Macedonia and the parts of Metohija. He completely suppressed the influence of the young emperor Uroš, who crowned Vukašin as his co-ruler, and his son Marko as a young king. Plans of the Mrnjavčević Dynasty to become the next ruling family were dispersed by the Turks. Quite unexpectedly, at the battle of the Maritsa river, Bulgaria, in 1371, the Serbian army was heavily defeated, King Vukašin and his brother Despot Uglješa Mrnjavčević killed.
ART
A fresco painting in the Psača Monastery, the Pre-Kosovo Epic Songs Cycle Uroš i Mrnjavčevići, Ženidba kralja Vukašina (King Vukashin’s Wedding) and others.
GEOGRAPHY
Prilep, Ohrid, Skoplje, Prizren
HISTORY
The folk legend did not describe the Marko Kraljević’s father nicely. He was remembered as a usurper, a power-seeking enemy to his own son and even as the murderer of Emperor Uroša. In reality, Uroš the Weak outlived his ambitious co-ruler.