The Battle of Tripolje (), also known as the Battle of GraÃÂanica (), was fought in November 1402 between the Serbian Despotate, ruled by the LazareviÃÂ dynasty, and the BrankoviÃÂ family, aided by the Ottoman Empire.
Following the Ottoman defeat at Ankara in 1402, Serbian ruler Stefan LazareviÃÂ saw an opportunity to free himself of Ottoman overlordship. Awarded the high honorary title of despot by Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos, LazareviÃÂ began to wield increasing autonomy in his political decision making. Following a quarrel said to have arisen because of his nephew ÃÂuraÃÂ BrankoviÃÂ's intent to join forces with the new Ottoman sultan, LazareviÃÂ had BrankoviÃÂ imprisoned. Freed by a friend, BrankoviÃÂ joined the Ottoman ranks and was set to fight LazareviÃÂ. Buoyed by Ottoman reinforcements, BrankoviÃÂ set up in Kosovo, along the route through which LazareviÃÂ would return from the Adriatic coast to the Serbian interior. The two sides clashed at the field of Tripolje (near GraÃÂanica) on 21 November 1402. The larger part of LazareviÃÂ's army, commanded by his brother Vuk, engaged BrankoviÃÂ's forces while Stefan LazareviÃÂ clashed with the Ottomans. While Vuk experienced setbacks fighting BrankoviÃÂ's forces, Stefan LazareviÃÂ encountered more success in fending off the Ottomans, thereby deciding the battle in his favor.
The Lazareviàbrothers fell out following the battle. Stefan Lazareviàallied himself with Hungary in 1403, ending his subservience to the Ottomans, while the LazareviÃÂâÂÂBrankoviàconflict continued over the years.
The Ottoman defeat at the Battle of Ankara in July 1402, the subsequent capture by Timur of Sultan Bayezid I and his death in captivity in March 1403, which triggered the Ottoman Interregnum, presented an opportunity for the Serbian magnates to take advantage of the turmoil and wield more autonomy in their political decision making. Having fought on the side of the Ottomans, they returned from Ankara through Byzantine-held territory. The new political landscape made for closer ByzantineâÂÂSerbian cooperation, and in August 1402, at Constantinople, Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos awarded one of the Serbian magnates, Stefan LazareviÃÂ, the very high title of Despot. Second only to imperial dignity, the title brought the bearer great honor. From Constantinople, Lazareviàwas hoping to pave the way for an independent Serbia. While staying there, he came to quarrel with another Serbian magnate, his nephew ÃÂuraàBrankoviÃÂ. Although the reasons remain unknown, fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Ragusan chronicler Mavro Orbini attributes the quarrel to LazareviÃÂ's suspicions that Brankoviàwanted to join forces with Süleyman ÃÂelebi, Bayezid's oldest son, who held power in Rumelia. The historian Dimitris Kastritsis notes that the rivalry between Brankoviàand Lazareviàdates back to the time of Bayezid, who had expelled BrankoviÃÂ's father from his lands and granted some of them to LazareviÃÂ. Although Lazareviàaimed to induce Emperor John VII to imprison BrankoviÃÂ, it is not certain if he succeeded. In 1402, Lazareviàordered Brankoviàimprisoned, but the latter spent little time in captivity, as he was freed with the help of a friend in September of that year. Brankoviàimmediately went to Süleyman ÃÂelebi, whom he asked for troops to fight LazareviÃÂ.
The LazareviÃÂâÂÂBrankoviàconflict became an opportunity for the Ottomans, who readied for war, to regain the power they had once wielded in the Balkans. A Serbian contingent returning home from Asia Minor was abruptly attacked and destroyed near Edirne on the orders of an Ottoman commander. It became clear to Lazareviàthat the rest of his army could not return using that route. Brankoviàand the Ottomans sought to prevent Lazareviàand his brother Vuk from returning home. BrankoviÃÂ's forces were joined by an Ottoman contingent, ordered by Süleyman to take control of local roads and prevent the Lazareviàbrother's crossing, which was expected to take place in the BrankoviÃÂ-controlled territory of Kosovo. Still mistrustful of BrankoviÃÂ's intentions, Süleyman sent one of his commanders to monitor BrankoviÃÂ, to ensure that he was truly loyal. The Lazareviàbrothers and a detachment of about 260 men left Constantinople and embarked for the coast of Zeta by ship. Before landing in Zeta, Lazareviàhad become aware of BrankoviÃÂ's plans; the brothers prepared for battle. They met with their brother-in-law ÃÂuraàII Balà ¡iÃÂ, who supported them militarily and had their mother Milica raise an army in the Despotate. LazareviÃÂ's army made its way inland in late October 1402, on detouring roads towards the à ½iÃÂa monastery. BrankoviÃÂ's forces and the Ottoman contingent gathered near the GraÃÂanica Monastery.
The two sides clashed on 21 November 1402, at Tripolje, near the GraÃÂanica Monastery. The date of the battle coincided with the Presentation of Mary. Lazareviàdivided his army into two groups. Constantine of Kostenets, LazareviÃÂ's biographer (ca. 1431), wrote that the army was divided between the two brothers, in case one fell the other would be saved and stay a "good shepherd of the flock". Lazareviàassigned the larger group to his brother Vuk, while he took the smaller group. It is unknown whether the army that Balà ¡iàcontributed as security was present at the battle. Brankoviàenjoyed significant Ottoman support.
While Lazareviàengaged the Ottomans, Vuk engaged BrankoviÃÂ's forces. Upon seeing LazareviÃÂ's bravery on the battlefield, it is said that many Ottoman soldiers felt like retreating. Lazareviàhad been famed for his bravery at the earlier battles of Nicopolis and Ankara. Among the Ottoman vassals were kesar Ugljeà ¡a Vlatkoviàand his troops. Vlatkoviàis believed to have divulged the Ottomans' battle plans, and perhaps even turned on them during the battle, thereby contributing to its outcome in LazareviÃÂ's favor. Orbini claims that Vlatkoviàdiscouraged the Ottomans by telling them that they would not be able to withstand the first rush. According to Orbini, Lazarevià"chased Turks by the bunch". Meanwhile, Brankoviàinflicted great damage on Vuk's forces. As he was unable to resist BrankoviÃÂ's pressure, it was Lazareviàwho decided the battle. Ultimately, Brankoviàand the Ottomans were decisively defeated.
Constantine of Kostenets wrote how LazareviÃÂ "bloodied the right hand of his" in battle. Orbini wrote that LazareviÃÂ won the battle "more with strategy than the courage of his soldiers". After the battle, the LazareviÃÂ brothers withdrew to the fortified city of Novo Brdo.
Lazareviàmanaged to take power in the country, bolstered by the reputation and work of his mother Milica, who was also politically active. The LazareviÃÂâÂÂBrankoviàconflict continued. In December 1402, the Republic of Ragusa expressed great regret regarding the conflicts in Serbia. Sultan Bayezid died in Tatar captivity in March 1403, which ignited a war between his four sons. There are accounts that Lazareviàand Süleyman agreed to a truce shortly after the battle. Through the Gallipoli treaty in early 1403, Süleyman promised not to interfere in Serbia, on the condition that Lazareviàaccept his obligations towards the Ottoman Empire, which were in effect before the Battle of Ankara and consisted primarily of tribute and military support. Lazareviàon his previous obligations and continued fighting Brankoviàand the Ottomans.
Around this time, the Lazareviàbrothers had a falling out. The rift stemmed from Vuk's perception that he had not emerged from the battle as a victor. Lazareviàcomplained about the casualties under Vuk's command and wanted him to train in the art of war. Lazareviàtook to instructing his brother in military matters, but Vuk felt slighted after Lazareviàsaid "some hard words" during instructions. Feeling hurt, with a gap between them, Vuk "waited some time, and finding the right time" ran off to Süleyman in the summer of 1403. Kaliàbelieves that there was also a disagreement on the division of lands, while Blagojeviàbelieves that LazareviÃÂ's continued opposition to the Ottomans in light of the truce played a role. Vuk thus decided to leave the country and enter the ranks of Süleyman ÃÂelebi.
To retain his independence from the Ottomans, who were closing in from the south, Lazareviàturned to the Kingdom of Hungary, which could be counted on militarily. After becoming a Hungarian vassal in 1403, Lazareviàwas offered peace by the Ottomans on his terms, and the Despotate was no longer a subject of the Ottoman Empire. Vuk returned to the Despotate shortly thereafter and the brothers ruled in accord. The OttomanâÂÂSerbian peace, HungarianâÂÂSerbian alliance, Hungarian ceding of large territories in the north to the Despotate, and the merger of VlatkoviÃÂ's province to LazareviÃÂ's domain resulted in Lazareviàexpanding his claims on all the Serbian lands.