Jovan Dragash

The eldest son of Serbian despot Dejan Dragas and Theodora Nemanich, sister of the King of Serbia Stefan Uros Dushan . Jovan Dragash was the grandson of the King of Serbia Stefan Dečansky and the Byzantine Princess Maria Paleolog (d. 1355).

His father controlled the regions of Kumanovo , Presevo and Kyustendil . After the death of his father, his sons Jovan and Konstantin came under the care of the neighboring feudal lord Vlatko Paskachich, ruler of Slaviste (district of the Kriva-Palanka River ), vassal Mrnyavchevich . Vlatko ruled their lands until Jovan reached adolescence.

Around 1365, Jovan Dragash began to rule with his mother and younger brother Konstantin in his father's principality. He received the title of despot from his uncle, Serbian king Stefan Uros V , who was previously worn by his father, Dejan.

Ottoman sources report that in 1373, Turkish forces forced the Serbian ruler of Jovan (he is called Saruyar) in Upper Struma to recognize vassal dependence on the Ottoman Empire.

In 1371, in a battle on the Maritsa River, the Ottoman Turks defeated the Serbian army under the command of the brothers Vukashin Mrnyavchevich , King Prilep , and Uglesha Mrnyavchevich , despot Serres . But Jovan Dragash continued to manage his possessions, recognizing himself as a vassal of the Ottoman sultan . He was even able to expand his domain by joining the lands of Jovan Oliver (Ovche Pole and the left bank of Vardar) to it. Jovan issued his own coins, which were similar to the money of Vukashin Mrnyavchevich.

He made donations to the Church of St. Basil in Stipe and the monastery of Hilandar on Mount Athos.

After the death in 1377/1378, Jovan was inherited by his younger brother Konstantin Dejanovich (d. 1395 ).

• Group of the author, Istorija srpskog people I. - Beograd, 1981.
• Auto Group, History of the People’s Communist Party II. - Beograd, 1982.