Stefan Radoslav of Serbia - Reign

Reign

Fine elsewhere mentions Radoslav acting as governor of the Principality of Zeta for part the reign of his father. In a charter variously dated to 1222 or 1228, Radoslav appears as co-founder of the monastery of Žiča with his father. In 1227/1228, his father abdicated the throne due to illness. The former king retired to a monastery under the name "Simon". Radoslav succeeded to the throned and was crowned king by his paternal uncle Sava Nemanjić, Archbishop of Serbs.

The Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten (1978) by Detlev Schwennicke, reports Radoslav betrothed to Theodora Komnene c. 1217. She was a daughter of Michael I Komnenos Doukas, ruler of Epirus. Both of his wives were members of the Melissenos family. Uncertain which of the two was her mother. Fine indicates Radoslav would instead marry her first cousin Anna Doukaina Angelina in 1219/1220. She was a daughter of Theodore Komnenos Doukas and Maria Petraliphaina. Theodore had succeeded his brother in Epiros. The Europäische Stammtafeln reports the marriage resulting in the birth of a single child. The name is not listed and Charles Cawley, a modern genealogist, has been unable to find primary sources on the existence of the chid.

The influence of Anna would prove unpopular. According to Fine, it gradually undermined Radoslav and cost him the loyalty of his people. In Autumn, 1233, a rebellion against the royal couple started. By the beginning of 1234, they had fled to Dubrovnik. On 4 February 1234, Radoslav signed a charter promising privileges to the merchants of "Ragusa". He still signed as a King. Fine reports him using the family name Doukas in other charters of the time. It was one of the family names used by his wife. Meanwhile, his younger half-brother Stefan Vladislav I had mounted the throne.

According to Fine both Radoslav and Anna retired into monastic life following their deposition. His monastic name was Jovan. There is no mention of him following 1235. The time and circumstances of his death are unknown.

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