#maralazarevic

[dominadespina]

LAZAREVIC SISTERS I

Princess Mara Lazarevic

Early Life

Though her date of birth is unknown, she is regarded as the eldest child of Lazar by his beloved wife Milica. The harmonious couple married in 1353, Mara was certainly born around the first years of their marriage, perhaps the following year or in the mid-1350s. 

Not much is known about her early childhood, but she was certainly born in Prilepac or Novi Brdo. She most likely received the same education as her younger sisters, though she might have not received the same privileges and comfort as them.

As her father’s power and prestige grew immensely following the battle of Maritsa in 1371, he moved his capital to a new area and named it Krusevac, that same year Mara was married off, so she did not grow up in the Krusevac Fortress, or even received her education or entertainments there. 

Marriage to Vuk Brankovic 

In 1371, Mara married Lord Vuk Branković through a political alliance between the Lazarevics and the Brankovićs. The marriage was beneficial to Vuk and Lazar as it offered them both advantages to the other’s resources. 

Nothing is known about the private relationship Mara shared with Vuk, though it must have been built on mutual understanding on equal grounds. The couple had three sons together. It is noted that by 1375, Mara had welcomed her second son Durad Branković which places Grgur Branković as the eldest son and Lazar Branković as the youngest of the trio. 

In 1389, following the bloody Battle of Kosovo, Milica became regent for her 13 years old son; Prince Stefan, and Vuk Branković not only refused to ally himself with his mother-in-law’s politics -which were in favor of the Turks- but also rebelled against them. 

While sealing documents, Vuk often signed his title as “Lord of Serbs and Podunavlje” when he was only recognized as “Lord Vuk,” though it seems that only he and his entourage referred to him as such. The ownership of the title “Lord of Serbs and Podunavlje” was only reserved for Prince Lazar and his successor; Prince Stefan Lazarevic. There are no documents that give any statement of the Lazarevics reaction to Vuk’s action to go by a title reserved for them only, but it must have added distance and contributed to future hatred between the two houses. 

It appears that Mara stood by her husband’s ideals throughout these familial vendettas. 

As Rebels

From 1389-1392 the Brankovićs resisted Ottoman rule the most compared to other Serbian dynasties, but they, unfortunately, were forced into vassalage upon the capture of Skopje. Nonetheless, Vuk refused to act as a vassal and only remained one by name. He continued his diplomatic relations with Hungary and denied any call to battle alongside the Ottomans.

As a result of these actions, Vuk was captured in 1396 following the aftermath of the Battle of Nicopolis. He passed away the following year in 1397 and in 1398 the majority of his lands were seized and given to Stefan Lazarevic through the influence of his sister-in-law; Olivera Lazarevic. 

Only two towns remained under Brankovićs rule, but the conditions meant they had to remain in a vassalage to the Turks. 

If the respective dynasties had disagreed before, then this caused the Brankovićs to build up hatred against the Lazarevics. Mara must have felt not only abandoned by her family but also revengeful. 

Widowhood 

After her husband’s unfortunate death, Mara permanently settled in Dubrovnik and started to withdraw money and hidden valuables. 

In 1402, after the Battle of Ankara, Mara’s eldest son Grgur was captured on the battlefield and stayed in captivity for a short while. 

In September of that year, a battle broke out near the Kosovo field between Stefan and his nephew; Durad. A battle which Stefan had won. This conflict not only created a huge gap between Mara and Stefan but also extremely worried the merchants of Dubrovnik; who only wished to trade in peace. 

This war and the absence of her eldest son must have left her in great distress as in December of that same year, the people of Dubrovnik tried their best to reassure her by expressing their blessings, and that they pray to God that Grgur come to her soon. 

As a result of this tension, Stefan was blamed by the Brankovićs, especially by Durad who blamed him not only for the loss of their lands but also the death of their father. Mara is noted to have supported her sons against their uncle. 

Ottoman Interregnum

During the Ottoman Interregnum Mara lost two of her sons; Grgur who became a monk died under the monastery name of Maxim in 1408. Her youngest son; Lazar, was executed by Musa on July 11 or 12 of 1410 after failing to convince Durad to return his loyalty to Musa. He was killed not only a full week after the execution of his youngest uncle; Vuk Lazarevic. 

Mara, who only had one son left was probably worried about her sole child and his future. For this reason, in 1412, she reached out to her youngest sister; Olivera, for help to reconcile with Stefan. 

Though it is stated in Miodrag Purkovic's book “КЋЕРИ КНЕЗА ЛАЗАРА ИСТОРИЈСКА СТУДИЈА ПОГОВОР” that it was Milica who acted as a mediator for their reconciliation, she was far dead by then so it could only be Olivera. 

Durad, who must have been fearing for himself by then sided with his uncle, and was warmly welcomed back into the family. Stefan trusted him enough to send him as a commander against Musa. Around 1412 or 1413, Durad and Musa battled, Durad won and Musa was later captured to be executed by his half-brother; Mehmed. 

Later Life

From 1417 to 1423, Mara is mentioned in a few Dubrovnik documents about familial valuables and repayment for damages. Soon after 1423 she became a nun and took the name ‘Marima.’ After this date, not much is recorded about her or her life as a nun. 

In 1425 or 1426, the childless Stefan Lazarevic proclaim his nephew; Durad, as heir. 

Mara passed away in 1426, never to see her sole child become the Despot of Serbia, and regain the lands they had previously lost. There is not a single information about her cause of death, though it might been due to old age or a disease related to her age. 

Issue

Grgur Branković 

Durad Branković

Lazar Branković

(Sources: “КЋЕРИ КНЕЗА ЛАЗАРА ИСТОРИЈСКА СТУДИЈА ПОГОВОР” by Miodrag Purkovic, Dve srpske sultanije : Olivera Lazarevic (1373-1444) : Mara Brankovic (1418-1487) by Nikola Giljen)