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Ivan Shishman

Type Figure Region Bulgaria Time c. 1350–1395 Also known as Ivan Shishman, Tsar of Bulgaria

Ivan Shishman (c. 1350–1395) was one of the last independent tsars of the Second Bulgarian Empire, son of Ivan Alexander.…

Timeline

  1. c. 1350–1371Tarnovo · BulgariaSon of Tsar Ivan Alexander, he grew up at the imperial court. After his father's death in 1371 Bulgaria split apart, and he and his brother Ivan Sratsimir each held a portion.
  2. 1371–1393Tarnovo · BulgariaHe ruled central Bulgaria and the Tarnovo region, repeatedly paying tribute to the Ottomans and attempting to unite with neighboring Serbia and others against them. Nicopolis was besieged in 1388, and Sultan Bayezid I captured Tarnovo in 1393.
  3. 1394–1395Nicopolis · BulgariaAfter the fall of the capital he went into exile and continued resistance, organizing Bulgarian soldiers and civilians against the Ottomans. He was killed in action around 1395, and Bulgarian independence ended with him; the crusaders' catastrophic defeat at Nicopolis the following year further consolidated Ottoman rule.

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