# Lazar Hrebeljanović

> Medieval Serbian ruler

**Wikidata**: [Q310197](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310197)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazar_of_Serbia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lazar-hrebeljanovic

## Summary
Lazar Hrebeljanović was a medieval Serbian ruler and prince who governed Moravian Serbia from 1371 until his death in 1389. He is best known for his leadership during the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 and as the founder of the Lazarević dynasty, which played a pivotal role in late 14th-century Serbian history.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1329
- **Died**: June 15, 1389
- **Nationality**: Serbian
- **Known for**: Ruling Moravian Serbia and leading Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo
- **Field(s)**: Politics, military leadership
- **Dynasty**: Founder of the Lazarević dynasty (established 1371)

## Contributions
Lazar Hrebeljanović established Moravian Serbia as a sovereign state in 1371, with Kruševac as its capital. He founded the Lazarević dynasty, which ruled the principality until its dissolution in 1403. His military leadership culminated in the Battle of Kosovo (June 28, 1389), a defining conflict against the Ottoman Empire. He also commissioned the Ravanica Monastery (founded 1374), a significant cultural and religious site. His reign fostered a court that supported literary figures like his wife, Milica Hrebeljanović, and the poet Jefimija.

## FAQs
**Who was Lazar Hrebeljanović?**
Lazar Hrebeljanović was a 14th-century Serbian prince who ruled Moravian Serbia and founded the Lazarević dynasty. He is historically recognized for his role in the Battle of Kosovo and his efforts to consolidate Serbian governance after the fall of the Serbian Empire.

**What was Lazar Hrebeljanović’s role in the Battle of Kosovo?**
He led the Serbian army against the Ottoman forces on June 28, 1389. Though the battle resulted in his death, it became a symbolic moment in Serbian history, reinforcing national identity and resistance.

**What is the Lazarević dynasty?**
The Lazarević dynasty was the ruling house of Moravian Serbia, established by Lazar in 1371. It governed the principality until 1403 and included notable figures like his daughter Olivera Lazarević, who married Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.

**Where was Moravian Serbia located?**
Moravian Serbia was centered in Šumadija and Western Serbia, with its capital at Kruševac. Key cities under its authority included Niš.

**What cultural contributions are associated with Lazar Hrebeljanović?**
His court supported Serbian literature, with figures like Milica Hrebeljanović and Jefimija producing poetic works. He also founded the Ravanica Monastery, which remains a cultural landmark.

## Why They Matter
Lazar Hrebeljanović’s leadership marked a transitional period in Serbian history, bridging the gap between the Serbian Empire’s decline and the rise of Ottoman influence. His establishment of Moravian Serbia as a sovereign state preserved Serbian autonomy and cultural identity during a turbulent era. The Battle of Kosovo, though militarily inconclusive, became a cornerstone of Serbian national mythology. His patronage of literature and religious institutions left a lasting legacy in Serbian heritage.

## Notable For
- Founding the **Lazarević dynasty** (1371), which ruled Moravian Serbia.
- Leading Serbian forces at the **Battle of Kosovo** (1389).
- Establishing **Kruševac** as the capital of Moravian Serbia.
- Commissioning the **Ravanica Monastery** (1374).
- Being the father of **Olivera Lazarević**, who married Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.
- Associated with literary figures like **Milica Hrebeljanović** and **Jefimija**.

## Body
### Early Life and Rise to Power
Lazar Hrebeljanović was born in 1329. He emerged as a prominent leader during the fragmentation of the Serbian Empire, which dissolved in 1371. That same year, he established Moravian Serbia as a sovereign principality, with Kruševac as its capital. His rule marked the beginning of the Lazarević dynasty, which would govern the region for over three decades.

### Rule and Governance
Moravian Serbia, under Lazar’s leadership, functioned as an independent state with its own legal and diplomatic systems. The principality encompassed key regions, including Šumadija, Western Serbia, and the city of Niš. Lazar’s court became a center of Serbian culture, fostering literary activity and religious patronage.

### Military Leadership and the Battle of Kosovo
Lazar’s most significant military engagement was the **Battle of Kosovo** on June 28, 1389. He commanded a coalition of Serbian and allied forces against the Ottoman Empire. Though the battle ended in his death, it became a defining symbol of Serbian resistance and national identity.

### Cultural and Religious Legacy
Lazar founded the **Ravanica Monastery** in 1374, which remains an important Orthodox Christian site. His wife, **Milica Hrebeljanović**, and the poet **Jefimija** were key cultural figures in his court, contributing to Serbian literature. His daughter, **Olivera Lazarević**, married Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I, linking the dynasty to broader Balkan politics.

### Death and Historical Impact
Lazar died on June 15, 1389, shortly after the Battle of Kosovo. His reign is remembered as a period of resilience and cultural flourishing amid political upheaval. Moravian Serbia continued under his successors until its dissolution in 1403, but his legacy endured in Serbian history and folklore.

### Heraldry and Representation
Lazar is associated with several heraldic symbols, including the **Coat of Arms of Lazar Hrebeljanović** and the **Flag of Moravian Serbia**. His image and seals, such as the **Pečat kneza Lazara Hrebeľanovića**, are preserved in historical records.

### Connections to Other Entities
- **Moravian Serbia**: The principality he ruled from 1371 to 1389.
- **Lazarević dynasty**: The ruling house he founded.
- **Battle of Kosovo**: The pivotal conflict in which he died.
- **Ravanica Monastery**: A monastery he commissioned.
- **Kruševac**: The capital city he established.
- **Milica Hrebeljanović, Jefimija, Olivera Lazarević**: Key cultural and political figures associated with his court.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. Genealogics
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. SNAC
6. Nationalencyklopedin
7. CONOR.SI
8. Find a Grave
9. LIBRIS
10. Sapere Encyclopedia
11. MAK
12. Russian Wikipedia
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. IdRef
15. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
16. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands