Kraljevina Srbija
Kingdom of Serbia
Faction Overview
In the mountainous region of the western Balkan, lies Kingdom of Serbia. It spreads from Adriatic sea in the west to Great Morava river in theeast, bordering with Second Bulgarian Tsardom. Since Nemanjić dynasty have taken Serbian throne in 1166, Serbia has been making quite progress in all fields. It’s economy was developing as well as military, tactics and equipment. But rule of King Stefan Radoslav, marked a period of stagnation of the state structure. Strengthening of Serbia during his rule was paused and his crown was influenced by Despotate of Epirus which made Serbian nobles and his brother Stefan Vladislav furious. Serbia is at the brink of civil war. Serbia should also be careful of Second Bulgarian Tsardom wishing to influence or even conquer Serbia.
History
6thcentury was an age of mass ethnic changes in Eastern Europe and the Balkans caused by Slavic invasion of Europe. Serbs are south Slavic nation that settled in the western Balkans. At first they were settled by the Eastern Romans on southern part of Dalmatian coast inorder to guard borders of the Roman Empire. During 8th century Serbs rebelled against Eastern Roman Empire creating first Serbian Principality ruled by Knez (Prince) Višeslav Vlastimirović. The last and most powerfull ruler of this dynasty was Prince Časlav who significantly expanded Serbian principality and uniting all Serbian tribes into one organized state. After his death at battle of Syrmia against Magyars, Vojislavljević dynasty, founded by Prince Stefan Vojislav, have taken the throne. Most important ruler of this dynasty was Prince Mihailo I who restored Serbian independence and received a crown from Pope Gregory VII in 1077 becoming the first Serbian king. After his death Serbia was again divided into principalities: Raška, Duklja, Travunija and Zahumlje. King Constantine Bodin, son of Mihailo, ruled as king of Duklja and conquered Raška in year 1083 and appointed Vukanović dynasty to rule over Raška as vassals of King Bodin. King Constantine Bodin’s war with Eastern Roman Empire resulted in annexation of Raška. Last ruler of Vojislavljević dynasty was Radoslav Gradišnić who died in 1148. In year 1166 Stefan Nemanja, member of Vukanović dynasty, rebelled against his brother Tihomir, governor of Raška, and by that also with Roman emperor Manuel IKomnenos. Stefan Nemanja won this conflict in 1168 and established independent Grand Principality of Raška and also became founder of most important and most powerful Serbian dynasty in middle ages, Nemanjić dynasty. He conquered and united again all Serbian states into one. He led anti-Byzantine policy and allied himself with Kingdom of Hungary, Republic of Venice and Holy Roman Empire against Eastern Roman Empire. He expanded his state with help of Crusaders. His son Stefan Nemanjić was crowned as King of Serbia in 1217 by Pope Honorius III. During his rule Serbia expanded and became more powerful. In year 1219 his youngest brother Rastko (monastic name Sava) founded independent Serbian Orthodox Church and was its first Archbishop. After death of Stefan, his oldest son Radoslav became king. His crown was influenced by Despotate of Epirus. During his rule Serbian expansion and growing power was paused. All those things made Serbian nobles and his younger brother Vladislav furious.
Current Situation
Year is 1232. Serbian king is faced with difficulties as Serbian nobles and his brother Vladislav are about to force him abdicate. At first he was a good ruler, but later was influenced by his wife who was a daughter of Theodore of Epirus and Thessaly. King’s mother was also of Greek origin so he sympathized Greeks and because of that he had nothing against being influenced by Greek state of Epirus. Now strengthening and expansion of Serbia is halted. Serbian nobles are dissatisfied as well as his brother Vladislav, who is supported by Second Bulgarian Tsardom. There were no any kind of rebellions against Radoslav until Theodore was defeated in battle and captured by Bulgarians in 1230. King Radoslav was left without support since then and his position weakened. King Stefan Radoslav must find a way to satisfy nobles and his brother or he will face punishment.
Starting Provinces
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Trade and Finance
Most of goods produced in Serbia were wine, manufactures and luxury goods from western part and Adriatic coast. Deeper into Serbia there were goods like iron and other metals, wool, grain, leather, timber, fruits, domestic animals... Serbian economy was developing pretty solid which allowed Serbia also to develop its army. But there is something that Serbian king is still unaware of. A large source of gold, silver and other types of metal located in area of Kosovo and Metohija. After those mines were opened and Saxon miners invited, Serbia becomes one of the richest states in Eastern Europe, which allowed recruitment of western style knights armored with full plate armour. That made Serbia first Balkan nation using high quality western equipment and was devastating blow to Serbian rivals. Serbia had traditional trading ties with Republic of Venice and Republic of Ragusa, but also had trade with Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Hungary and with other Balkan states.
Government and Society
Serbia was feudal monarchy with Orthodox Christianity as only official religion. First ruler of Nemanjić dynasty finally decided if Serbs will answer to Pope of Patriarch. At first he was baptized by Catholic priests because there were no Orthodox priests nearby. Later he finally decided to accept Orthodox Christianity. Some Serbs still believed in their old Slavic Gods. During rule of Stefan Nemanja, almost all of Serbs were converted to Orthodox Christianity. Before 9th century Slavs did not have their alphabet. During first wave of christianization of Serbs, a Slavic alphabet was written in order to educate Slavs and also to translate Christian books. It was made by two Greeks, Cyril and Methodius. They made first written alphabet used by Slavs and it was Glagolitic alphabet. But because they did not know Serbian and other Slavic languages well enough, the language they created was not the same, but it was similar to language spoken by Slavic people and by that had to be learned. A Serbian redaction of old Slavic language, Serbo-Slavic language was official language of Serbian medieval state during Nemanjić dynasty, although it was not very understandable to ordinary Serbian people.
Serbian Army
The Serbian army was feudal in nature, though its system of military landholding was inherited from the Byzantine Pronoia rather than the Western European fief. Still it was an army well known for its strength, organization, tactics and was among top Balkan armies. During Nemanjić dynasty Serbia also grew militarily. Old Serbian ambush tactics were becoming older and economic growth enabled heavy cavalry to be adopted as new striking force. Serbian army used powerful combination of speared infantry, sword and axe infantry, as well as strong heavy cavalry since late 13thcentury and useful light cavalry. Army also had archers and javelin throwers among its ranks who were very useful in harassing enemy armies. There were few horse archers in Serbia. Those who served in Serbian army were foreign mercenaries mostly Cumans, Tatars and horse archers of Turkic origin. Serbian army also consisted of small navy and artillery.
Examples of serbian units
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Models and textures from:
Tsardoms Total War
Eras Total Conquest
GeMiNi][SaNDy's Western Unit Overhaul for DLV
Mapping, modelling and skinning: Hellvard
Research, factions symbols and units cards: SerbianWolf