Wins and Losses of the Second Bulgarian Empire, 1185–1396

Attempt on Preslav

Siege · against Byzantium · Peter IV (Theodore-Peter)

Peter attacks the old capital, but its walls hold.

Jr., p. 31

Night battle against John Kantakouzenos

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

The blinded commander underrates Asen and is routed in a night attack in the mountains.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 626 · Jr., p. 32

Isaac II's first campaign

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

The emperor drives the brothers across the Danube; they return in the autumn with Cumans.

Jr., p. 33

Battle near Lardea

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Asen all but routs the army led by the emperor himself.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 626

Success near Beroe and raid toward Philippopolis

Raid · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 626

The Cumans at Adrianople

September · Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Isaac narrowly beats the Cumans besieging the city after their feigned flight.

Jr., p. 33

Siege of Lovech

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Isaac's failed campaign ends in a treaty; Asen's wife is left as a hostage.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 627 · Jr., p. 33 · Bozhilov, p. 35

Siege of Tarnovo

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Isaac II lifts the siege on a rumour of an attack from behind.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 100 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 629 · Jr., p. 43

Tryavna Pass

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

The retreating Byzantine army is cut down in the pass; the emperor barely escapes.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 100 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 629 · Jr., p. 43

Capture of Varna and Anchialos

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Dated 1190, 1191 or 1192; the Byzantines soon take both towns back.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 104 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 630 · Bozhilov, p. 32

Sredets, Niš and Stobi

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Asen takes and razes Sredets, takes Stobi and reaches Niš.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 104 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 630

Repulsed at Philippopolis and Beroe

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Constantine Angelos drives off the Cumans at Philippopolis and the Vlachs near Beroe.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 104 · Jr., p. 44

Arcadiopolis

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

The armies of Alexios Gidos and Basil Vatatzes are destroyed; Vatatzes is killed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 105 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 630 · Jr., p. 45

Serres: Alexios Aspietes captured

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

Asen surprises the camp before Serres and takes its general prisoner; Melnik and Strumica fall too.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 105 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 632 · Jr., p. 46

Ambush at Amphipolis

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Asen I

The sebastokrator Isaac Komnenos is captured. Fine dates the capture 1195, the military history 1196.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 105 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 632 · Jr., p. 46

Peter besieges Ivanko in Tarnovo

Siege · Peter IV (Theodore-Peter)

After Asen's murder Ivanko holds Tarnovo, then flees to the Byzantines.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 633 · Jr., p. 46

Siege of Strumica

Siege · against Byzantium · Dobromir Chrysos

Alexios III besieges Chrysos for two months without success.

Jr., p. 47

Krichim

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivanko

The Byzantines take Ivanko's fortress.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 106

Ambush at Batkun

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivanko

Manuel Kamytzes is captured.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 107 · Jr., p. 48

Batrachokastron

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivanko

A heavy defeat for the Byzantine army; soon after, Ivanko is seized by a trick.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 640 · Bozhilov, p. 45

Raid into Eastern Thrace

Raid · against Byzantium · Kaloyan

The Vize garrison beats the raiders, and is then beaten in turn by the Cumans.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 108

Siege of Prosek

Siege · against Byzantium · Dobromir Chrysos

Chrysos' stronghold above the Vardar holds.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 109 · Jr., p. 50

Stenimachos

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivanko

Alexios III takes Stenimachos, and Ivanko is captured on false oaths.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 107 · Bozhilov, p. 45

Raid to the walls of Constantinople

Raid · against Byzantium · Kaloyan

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 111

Constantia

Siege · against Byzantium · Kaloyan

Today's Simeonovgrad; taken without much effort.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 111 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 641 · Bozhilov, p. 45

Varna

24 March · Siege · against Byzantium · Kaloyan

Stormed on Good Friday after a three-day siege.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 115 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 641 · Jr., p. 49

End of Chrysos' principality

Campaign · against Byzantium · Dobromir Chrysos

After his raid to the Peloponnese the Byzantines take back Strumica and his other forts.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 110 · Jr., p. 50

War with Hungary on the Morava

Campaign · against Hungary · Kaloyan

Kaloyan recovers Belgrade and Braničevo.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 115

Adrianople

14 April · Battle · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

Emperor Baldwin is captured and Louis of Blois killed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 117 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 662 · Jr., p. 99 · Nicol, p. 32 · Bozhilov, p. 51

The pursuit through Thrace

Campaign · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

Taken and razed: Karyoupolis, Heraclea, Rhaidestos, Panion, Traianopolis, Mosynopolis, Peritheorion.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 122 · Jr., p. 101

Serres

June · Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

A fight before the town, then the citadel surrenders to Kaloyan's mercy.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 123 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 663 · Jr., p. 102

Boniface's detachment at Serres

Battle · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The force sent toward Serres is routed by the Cumans.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 124

First attempt on Thessaloniki

Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The lower town is briefly taken, but the attempt fails.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 123 · Jr., p. 102

Philippopolis

Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The city, held by Alexios Aspietes, is taken and punished.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 124 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 664

Rusion

31 January · Battle · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The constable Thierry de Termonde's force is destroyed; about ten of 120 knights escape.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 124 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 664 · Bozhilov, p. 64

Kaloyan's Thracian campaign

Campaign · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

Apros stormed, Rhaidestos surrenders; Panion, Heraclea, Daonion, Tzurulon and Athyra fall.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 124

First siege of Didymoteicho

June · Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

Kaloyan diverts the Maritsa and breaches the walls, but withdraws as Henry approaches.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 125 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 665 · Jr., p. 104 · Bozhilov, p. 64

Second siege of Didymoteicho

Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The town is taken and razed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 127 · Jr., p. 104

Repulsed at Adrianople

Battle · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The Latins drive the Bulgarians off and pursue them to Beroe.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 127

Henry's raid

Campaign · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

Henry takes Beroe, Aetos, Thermopolis and Anchialos; one Latin detachment is beaten in the passes.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 127

Siege of Adrianople

April · Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

For all its 33 trebuchets the siege fails when the Cumans leave.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 128 · Jr., p. 105

Death of Boniface of Montferrat

4 September · Battle · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

The king of Thessaloniki is ambushed north of Mosynopolis and killed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 129 · Jr., p. 105 · Nicol, p. 32

Siege of Thessaloniki

October · Siege · against Latin Empire · Kaloyan

Kaloyan is killed under the walls and the siege abandoned.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 129 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 668 · Jr., p. 105

Ambush near Rusion

Battle · against Latin Empire · Boril

Three hundred Vlachs beat Henry's vanguard.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 130

Beroe

Battle · against Latin Empire · Boril

The sources disagree: the military history counts it a Bulgarian success, Fine and Božilov an indecisive fight.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 130 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 685 · Jr., p. 111

Philippopolis

31 July · Battle · against Latin Empire · Boril

Boril is defeated. Božilov gives 31 July, the military history 1 August.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 131 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 685 · Jr., p. 111 · Bozhilov, p. 70

Revolt in Vidin

Campaign · Boril

Boril puts the revolt down with Hungarian help.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 132 · Jr., p. 117

Pelagonia

Battle · against Latin Empire · Boril

Boril and Strez are beaten by the Thessalonian barons and Michael of Epirus on the plain of Bitola.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 132 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 692 · Jr., p. 117 · Bozhilov, p. 99

Melnik

Siege · against Latin Empire · Boril

Boril besieges Alexios Slav, and is then beaten by the Latins and Slav.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 132

Campaign on Niš

Campaign · against Serbia · Boril

A night panic in camp breaks up the Bulgarian-Latin army.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 133

Siege of Tarnovo

Siege · Ivan Asen II

Ivan Asen II besieges Boril for seven months and takes the throne.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 134 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 697 · Bozhilov, p. 73

Klokotnitsa

9 March · Battle · against Epirus · Ivan Asen II

Theodore Komnenos is captured; the tsardom reaches from the Black Sea to the Adriatic. Fine places it in April.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 135 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 709 · Jr., p. 142 · Nicol, p. 34 · Bozhilov, p. 96

Hungarian siege of Vidin

Siege · against Hungary · Ivan Asen II

The Hungarians take Belgrade and Braničevo; Alexander is beaten before the walls, but Vidin holds.

Jr., p. 147

Conquest of Eastern Thrace

Campaign · against Latin Empire · Ivan Asen II

Together with Nicaea the Bulgarians take the lands from Gallipoli to Tzurulon.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 138 · Jr., p. 148

Siege of Constantinople

Siege · against Latin Empire · Ivan Asen II

Geoffrey of Villehardouin's fleet breaks the blockade.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 139 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 728 · Jr., p. 148 · Nicol, p. 34

Tzurulon

Siege · against Nicaea · Ivan Asen II

Now allied with the Latins, Ivan Asen abandons the siege on news of the tsaritsa's death.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 139 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 729 · Jr., p. 149 · Bozhilov, p. 104

Tatar attack repulsed

Battle · against Tatars · Ivan Asen II

Only one uncertain source speaks of this victory.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 139 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 730

The Tatars returning from Hungary

Raid · against Tatars · Kaliman Asen I

The horde crosses Bulgaria, lays it waste and imposes tribute.

Jr., p. 163 · Nicol, p. 43

Vatatzes' campaign

Campaign · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

In three months Nicaea takes the lands south of the Balkan range; Serres falls by Dragota's treachery.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 736 · Jr., p. 174 · Nicol, p. 44

Raid into Serbia

Raid · against Serbia · Michael II Asen

Allied with Dubrovnik, the army reaches the Lim and plunders Bijelo Polje; the peace restores the borders.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 739 · Jr., p. 219

Michael Asen's Rhodope campaign

Campaign · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

Stenimachos, Perushtitsa, Krichim, Tsepina, Ustra, Perperek and other forts are won back.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 146

Panic on the Maritsa

Battle · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

The Nicaean vanguard scatters the Bulgarian outposts and the army withdraws; Beroe is taken.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 149 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 740

Siege of Tsepina

Siege · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

Theodore II Laskaris fails to take the fortress.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 149

Ambush near Tsepina

Battle · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

Strategopoulos' and Tornikes' column loses its baggage.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 150

Melnik and the Rupel gorge

Battle · against Nicaea · Dragota

Dragota's rising ends with his palisade turned and his death.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 150

Veles

Siege · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

The garrison surrenders.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 151

Second march on Tsepina

Campaign · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

A snowstorm at Makrolivada turns the emperor back.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 151

Cuman raid near Didymoteicho

Raid · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

Manuel Laskaris flees and Constantine Margarites is captured; the Cumans winter in Thrace.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 151 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 741

Skirmishes at Bulgarophygon

Campaign · against Nicaea · Michael II Asen

No pitched battle; the peace brokered by Rostislav cedes Tsepina.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 152 · Jr., p. 177

Mesembria

14 June · Siege · against Venice · Constantine Tih Asen

Latins on Venetian galleys take and plunder the town.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 152 · Jr., p. 189

The struggle with Mitso

Campaign · Constantine Tih Asen

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 152

Vidin taken back from Rostislav

Campaign · against Hungary · Constantine Tih Asen

Constantine Tih recovers Vidin and attacks the Banate of Severin.

Jr., p. 191

Banate of Severin

Battle · against Hungary · Constantine Tih Asen

Master Lawrence routs the Bulgarian army.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 152 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 753

Stephen V's campaign

Campaign · against Hungary · Constantine Tih Asen

The Hungarians reach the mouth of the Iskar and Tarnovo, and besiege Lom.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 152 · Jr., p. 192

Campaign in south-east Thrace

Campaign · against Byzantium · Constantine Tih Asen

Skopelos, Petra, Skopos and Bryse are taken.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 152

Michael Glabas' campaign

Campaign · against Byzantium · Constantine Tih Asen

Byzantium takes Agathopolis, Sozopolis, Anchialos, Philippopolis and the coastal forts.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 153 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 753 · Jr., p. 194

Before Mesembria

Battle · against Byzantium · Constantine Tih Asen

Glabas beats the tsar as he besieges Mitso in the town; Manuel Philes adds a second defeat at Agathopolis.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 155 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 753

Ainos

Siege · against Byzantium · Constantine Tih Asen

With the Tatars the tsar ravages Thrace; the town hands over Sultan Izz al-Din in return for a withdrawal.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 155 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 754 · Jr., p. 195

The Hungarians take Vidin

Campaign · against Hungary · Constantine Tih Asen

Stephen V beats the Bulgarian army and takes Vidin, Oryahovo and Pleven.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 156 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 755 · Jr., p. 196

Nogai's raid

Raid · against Tatars · Constantine Tih Asen

Nogai's answer to Constantine's raid into Thrace lays the country waste.

Jr., p. 198 · Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 156

Ivaylo drives off the Tatars

Battle · against Tatars · Ivailo

Ivaylo's band beats Tatar parties and drives them over the Danube.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 158 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 761 · Jr., p. 213

Ivaylo kills Constantine Tih

Battle · Ivailo

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 158 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 761 · Jr., p. 213

Glabas' coastal campaign

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivailo

Emona, Vicha, Kozyak, Galata, Varna, Provadia and Preslav fall.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 161

Siege of Byalgrad

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivailo

Voivode Damyan holds the fortress.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 161

Against Kasim beg's Tatars

Battle · against Tatars · Ivailo

Ivaylo beats them, and skirmishing drives Glabas back to Aetos.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 164

Pirgitsa

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivailo

Ivaylo is caught between the armies of Glabas and Ivan Asen III.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 165

Tarnovo opens its gates

February · Siege · against Byzantium · Ivailo

Byzantines and Nogai Tatars besiege the city from the autumn; on a rumour of Ivaylo's death it is handed to Ivan Asen III.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 166 · Jr., p. 215

Siege of Drastar

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivailo

For three months the Byzantines fail to take the town where Ivaylo has shut himself in.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 166 · Jr., p. 216

Devina

17 July · Battle · against Byzantium · Ivailo

Murin's army of ten thousand is destroyed. Fine gives 17 June.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 167 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 764 · Jr., p. 216 · Bozhilov, p. 250

Aprin's defeat

15 August · Battle · against Byzantium · Ivailo

Aprin's five thousand are destroyed in Sredna Gora. Fine gives 5 August.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 167 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 764 · Jr., p. 216 · Bozhilov, p. 250

The victory of July 1280

July · Battle · against Byzantium · George Terter I

The remnants of the beaten Byzantine army reach Athos in the autumn.

Jr., p. 210

Nogai's devastating raid

Raid · against Tatars · George Terter I

Terter accepts Nogai's overlordship and gives his son as hostage.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 170 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 789 · Jr., p. 243

The Tatar raid of 1292

Raid · against Tatars · George Terter I

Terter flees to Byzantium and Smilets becomes tsar.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 170 · Jr., p. 244

Shishman against Milutin

Campaign · against Serbia · Shishman

The Vidin despot's raid burns Žiča, but his army is routed and Milutin takes Vidin.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 782 · Jr., p. 239

Radoslav's defeat

Battle · against Byzantium · Theodore Svetoslav

Eltimir beats the Byzantine candidate for the throne, captures him and has him blinded.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 801 · Jr., p. 247

The forts below the Haemus

Campaign · against Byzantium · Theodore Svetoslav

Yambol, Lardea, Ktenia, Rusokastro, Mesembria and Sozopolis are taken.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 170 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 803 · Jr., p. 247

Skafida

Battle · against Byzantium · Theodore Svetoslav

The bridge collapses under the retreating Byzantines; Anchialos and Agathopolis open their gates.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 170 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 803 · Jr., p. 247

Fight near Sozopolis

Battle · against Byzantium · Theodore Svetoslav

One of the smaller engagements in Michael IX's campaign.

Jr., p. 247

Michael IX's campaign

Campaign · against Byzantium · Theodore Svetoslav

Michael IX ravages the land to Ryahovo, but a Bulgarian victory breaks his lines and the army plunders toward Adrianople.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 172 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 804 · Jr., p. 247

The Tatar raid of 1319

Raid · against Tatars · Theodore Svetoslav

Jr., p. 247

Philippopolis taken by surprise

Siege · against Byzantium · George Terter II

George II Terter takes the city and much of northern Thrace.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 173 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 814 · Jr., p. 269

The night attack

Battle · against Byzantium · George Terter II

The army that had plundered round Adrianople is surprised and beaten on its way back.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 814

Siege of Philippopolis

Siege · against Byzantium · George Terter II

Ivan Rusina's garrison holds out for nearly four months; the German siege tower sinks into the ditch.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 173 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 817 · Jr., p. 287

Michael Shishman recovers the south

Campaign · against Byzantium · Michael III Shishman Asen

With the Tatars the tsar breaks the siege, and the towns between Sliven and Mesembria surrender.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 177 · Jr., p. 287

Philippopolis lost

Siege · against Byzantium · Michael III Shishman Asen

George Bryennios takes the city in the summer.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 178 · Jr., p. 287

Against Voisil

Battle · against Byzantium · Michael III Shishman Asen

The tsar beats the Byzantine vassal at Kopsis and plunders Thrace for twelve days.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 178 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 816 · Jr., p. 287

Raid on Berrhoia

Raid · against Byzantium · Michael III Shishman Asen

Followed by a Byzantine counter-raid.

Jr., p. 287

Diampolis

June · Siege · against Byzantium · Michael III Shishman Asen

The tsar withdraws before Andronikos III, who storms and razes Yambol.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 179 · Nicol, p. 201

Boukelon and Provaton

September · Campaign · against Byzantium · Michael III Shishman Asen

Boukelon is taken; for a month the two armies face each other, then make peace.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 179 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 830 · Nicol, p. 201

Zemen

Siege · against Serbia · Michael III Shishman Asen

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 180

Velbazhd

28 July · Battle · against Serbia · Michael III Shishman Asen

Caught foraging, the army is routed and Michael Shishman killed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 181 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 843 · Jr., p. 289 · Nicol, p. 209 · Bozhilov, p. 139

Mraka and IzvorTradition

Battle · against Serbia · Michael III Shishman Asen

By tradition Belaur's Vidin army halts the Serbian advance.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 183

Andronikos III takes the coast

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivan Stefan

Anchialos, Mesembria, Aetos, Ktenia, Rusokastro and Yambol fall.

Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 846 · Jr., p. 290 · Nicol, p. 209

Belaur's revolt

Campaign · Ivan Alexander

Ivan Alexander crushes it with Tatar mercenaries.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 186 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 860 · Jr., p. 291

Tatar raid on Vidin

Raid · against Tatars · Ivan Alexander

Jr., p. 247

The Thracian towns recovered

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

With Tatar help Ivan Alexander takes everything back but Mesembria.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 186 · Jr., p. 292

The fight in the defile

Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

Andronikos III is twice thrown back before Rusokastro.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 186

Rusokastro

18 July · Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

The tsardom's last great victory over Byzantium. The Asen genealogy dates it 1331.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 187 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 857 · Bozhilov, p. 135

The detachments near Didymoteicho

Raid · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

The scattered parties are beaten by the pinkernes Angelos and by a Turkish band on the coast.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 198 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 875 · Jr., p. 314

Umur's fleet at the Danube

Campaign · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

Under the threat Ivan Alexander withdraws his troops and renews the treaty.

Jr., p. 311 · Nicol, p. 221

Blockade of Didymoteicho

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

The siege is lifted when Umur's ships sail up the Maritsa.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 200 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 878 · Jr., p. 313

Crossing the Maritsa

June · Battle · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

Kantakouzenos catches the tsar crossing the river and inflicts losses.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 202

Abdera

Battle · against Turks of Aydin · Momchil

Momchil beats Umur's Turks and burns their ships.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 193 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 882

Mosynopolis

Battle · against Byzantium · Momchil

Momchil storms the camp and Kantakouzenos barely escapes.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 194 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 882

Umur plunders Bulgaria

Raid · against Turks of Aydin · Ivan Alexander

Jr., p. 322

Peritheorion

7 July · Battle · against Byzantium · Momchil

Kantakouzenos and Umur destroy Momchil's army; he is killed under the walls.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 195 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 882 · Jr., p. 322 · Bozhilov, p. 155

Selymbria

Battle · against Byzantium · Dobrotitsa

Sent to help the regency, Dobrotitsa and his brother Theodore are routed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 205 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 885 · Bozhilov, p. 155

Midia

Siege · against Byzantium · Dobrotitsa

Dobrotitsa surrenders the town to Kantakouzenos and John V.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 205 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 885

Suleiman across the Maritsa

Raid · against Ottomans · Ivan Alexander

One of a run of Turkish raids from 1344 to 1352, with much booty and many captives.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 218 · Jr., p. 340

Battle near Didymoteicho

October · Battle · against Ottomans · Ivan Alexander

Suleiman's Ottomans crush John V's allies. Nicol names a Serbian and a Bulgarian army; Fine doubts the Bulgarian part, and the military history has the Bulgarians withdraw without fighting.

Nicol, p. 271 · Jr., p. 343 · Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 206

Death of Michael Asen

Battle · against Ottomans · Ivan Alexander

The tsar's son is killed fighting Suleiman's raiders; many captives are carried off to Gallipoli.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 219 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 905

Philippopolis and Beroe

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Alexander

The Turks take Stara Zagora and Plovdiv.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 219 · Jr., p. 396

Anchialos and Mesembria

Siege · against Byzantium · Ivan Alexander

John V takes Anchialos and besieges Mesembria by land and sea; under the peace both towns stay Bulgarian.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 206 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 891

Vidin

2 June · Siege · against Hungary · Ivan Sratsimir

Louis I takes the city in four days, and Ivan Sratsimir is led off captive.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 206 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 892 · Jr., p. 384 · Nicol, p. 296

Amadeus of Savoy's campaign

October · Campaign · against Amadeus of Savoy · Ivan Alexander

Ahtopol, Sozopolis, Skafida, Rusokastro, Anchialos, Mesembria and Emona fall.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 207 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 894 · Nicol, p. 299

Aetos

Siege · against Amadeus of Savoy · Ivan Alexander

The assault fails and Antonio Visconti is taken prisoner.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 209

Varna

25 October · Siege · against Amadeus of Savoy · Ivan Alexander

The assaults fail and the siege is lifted after talks.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 209 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 894 · Nicol, p. 299

Chernomen

26 September · Battle · against Ottomans

The Ottomans destroy the army of Vukašin and Uglješa. There is no sure evidence of Bulgarian participation.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 219 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 969 · Jr., p. 397 · Bozhilov, p. 216

Murad presses Ivan Shishman

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

The tsar is pushed north of the Balkan range, becomes a vassal and gives his sister Tamar to the sultan.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 220 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 972 · Bozhilov, p. 216

The Tundzha forts

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Timurtash takes Elhovo, Boyadzhik and Voynika.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 220

Yambol

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

The town capitulates after an epidemic.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 220

Lala Shahin's campaign

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Kostenets, Urvich, Ihtiman and Samokov fall.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 221

Conquest of the RhodopesTradition

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Rakovitsa, Tsepina, Batkun, Perushtitsa and more forts; the account rests mostly on local tradition.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 224

The Struma and Mesta fortsTradition

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Petrich, Gradevo, Krupnik, Momina Kula and Razlog.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 227

TopkoriaTradition

Battle · against Ottomans · Voivode Momchil

By tradition the voivode routs a Turkish band and kills its leader Orhan.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 228

KasapkaTradition

Battle · against Ottomans · Voivodes Blagoy and Radoy

By tradition the voivodes are beaten by Sinan Pasha.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 228

First siege of Sofia

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Lala Shahin fails to take ban Yanuka's city.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 228

Fall of Sofia

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Fine dates the capture 1385.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 229 · Jr., p. 425

Velbazhd and Melnik

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 227

Ali Pasha's campaign

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Shumen, Madara, Venchan, Provadia, Silistra and Svishtov fall; the tsar, besieged in Nikopol, accepts a harsh peace. Nicol puts the campaign in early 1389.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 230 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 989 · Jr., p. 425 · Nicol, p. 322

Varna holds

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivanko son of Dobrotitsa

Ali Pasha's attempt on Varna fails.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 230 · Bozhilov & Gyuzelev, p. 989

Kosovo

15 June · Battle · against Ottomans

A battle between Serbs and Ottomans. The military history mentions Bulgarian contingents on the allied left.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 235 · Jr., p. 428 · Nicol, p. 322 · Bozhilov, p. 227

Fall of Tarnovo

17 July · Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

The capital falls after a three-month siege and the tsardom is annexed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 238 · Jr., p. 440 · Nicol, p. 333 · Bozhilov, p. 227

The last strongholds

Campaign · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Pleven, Vratsa, Bozhenishki Urvich, Lovech, Shipka, Krn and Maglizh.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 239

Nikopol and the death of Ivan Shishman

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Shishman

Most sources place the tsar's death after the battle of Rovine (1395); Nicol two years after his capture at Nikopol.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 239 · Nicol, p. 333 · Bozhilov, p. 228

Little Nikopol

Siege · against Ottomans

Sigismund takes the fortress from the Ottomans.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 247

Vidin opens to the crusade

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Sratsimir

Ivan Sratsimir lets the crusaders in and the Ottoman garrison is killed.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 242 · Nicol, p. 337

Oryahovo

Siege · against Ottomans · The townspeople of Oryahovo

As the crusaders attack, the local Bulgarians drive out the Ottoman garrison.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 244 · Nicol, p. 337

Nicopolis

25 September · Battle · against Ottomans · Ivan Sratsimir

Sigismund's crusading army is destroyed; Sratsimir had fought on its side.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 245 · Jr., p. 442 · Nicol, p. 337 · Bozhilov, p. 205

End of the Vidin tsardom

Siege · against Ottomans · Ivan Sratsimir

Bayezid takes Vidin and leads Sratsimir away captive.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 249 · Jr., p. 442 · Nicol, p. 337

Kaliakra and Urdoviza

Siege · against Ottomans

Kaliakra is taken and Urdoviza surrenders on terms, in 1396 or 1397.

Angelov & Cholpanov, p. 240