Smilets
Ivan IV Smilets„the under-age heir”
The under-age son of tsar Smilets. After his father's death in 1298 power was held in his name by his mother and her son-in-law despot Aldemir. Part of the historiography styles him tsar Ivan IV Smilets, but whether he was actually recognised and crowned, or the throne was merely held in his name, remains disputed — he is therefore not marked as reigning here. In 1300, on Theodore Svetoslav's return, he took refuge with his mother at Aldemir's court in Kran and afterwards in Constantinople.
Biography
The under-age son of tsar Smilets. After his father's death in 1298 power was held in his name by his mother and her son-in-law despot Aldemir. Part of the historiography styles him tsar Ivan IV Smilets, but whether he was actually recognised and crowned, or the throne was merely held in his name, remains disputed — he is therefore not marked as reigning here. In 1300, on Theodore Svetoslav's return, he took refuge with his mother at Aldemir's court in Kran and afterwards in Constantinople.
Sources
“Поради малолетството на неговия син Иван IV Смилец, управлението попаднало изцяло в ръцете на неговата майка, Смилецова вдовица и нейния зет деспот Алдемир.”
— History of Bulgaria from the 7th to the 14th century, p. 793