Българската съпруга на сръбския крал Стефан Владислав
The Bulgarian Wife of Serbian King Stefan Vladislav

Summary/Abstract: This study delves into the biography of a Bulgarian princess, the daughter of Tsar John II Asen, who became the wife of Serbian King Stefan Vladislav. Although frequently referenced in Bulgarian and Serbian historiography, many aspects of her life remain uncertain, including her name, mother, and date of birth. Historical sources suggest she was born before John II Asen’s marriage to Hungarian Princess Maria (Anna) Árpádina, possibly as an illegitimate child or from a prior marriage. She was married to Stefan Vladislav in 1233/34 to secure political alliances between Bulgaria and Serbia. Despite limited records, some suggest the couple had children, including a son, Desa, though this conflicts with Serbian chronicles stating Vladislav died childless.By 1243, following Vladislav’s deposition, the former queen relocated to Dubrovnik. Records indicate she engaged in efforts to support her family‘s claims, possibly to safeguard her children’s futures. Some historians associate her with Belloslava, mentioned in sources as Vladislav‘s son Desa’s mother, who claimed ownership of properties in Dubrovnik in 1281 and 1285. While it remains plausible that Belloslava and the Bulgarian princess married to Vladislav are the same person, the identification cannot be definitively proven based on the current state of evidence. Several arguments challenge this hypothesis, emphasizing the distinction between well-supported facts and speculative connections.

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