List of Bulgarian monarchs
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox monarchy The monarchs of Bulgaria ruled Bulgaria during the medieval First (Template:Circa 681–1018) and Second (1185–1422) Bulgarian empires, as well as during the modern Principality (1879–1908) and Kingdom (1908–1946) of Bulgaria. This list includes monarchs from the establishment of the First Bulgarian Empire until modern times, omitting earlier mythical rulers as well as rulers of separate states such as Old Great Bulgaria and Volga Bulgaria.
Various titles have been used by the rulers of Bulgaria. The only recorded title, used before Bulgaria's conversion to Christianity, is kanasubigi, likely meaning "Khan, Lord of the Army"<ref>Veselin Beševliev, Prabylgarski epigrafski pametnici - 5</ref> or "the sublime Khan".<ref>Steven Runciman (2018) A History of the First Bulgarian Empire, Template:ISBN, p. 68</ref> When Bulgaria converted to Christianity in the ninth century, the ruler Boris I (852–889) was using the title knyaz (prince).<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> For much of its later history under the first and second empires, Bulgaria functioned as a multi-ethnic imperial state modelled on the neighbouring Byzantine Empire,<ref name="Madgearu-2016">Template:Cite book</ref> which contributed to the adoption of the title of tsar (emperor) by Bulgarian monarchs beginning with Simeon I (893–927) in 913.<ref name="Crampton-1987" /> Some powerful medieval Bulgarian rulers challenged Byzantine authority by proclaiming themselves as both Bulgarian and Roman emperors.<ref name="Bideleux-2007">Template:Cite book</ref>
When Bulgaria re-emerged as a state in 1878 in the form of the Principality of Bulgaria, the rulers initially used the title knyaz since they were autonomous vassals of the Ottoman Empire and not fully independent.<ref name="Tarnovo Const.-1879" /> From Bulgaria's complete independence from the Ottomans in 1908 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1946, Bulgarian monarchs once more used the title tsar,<ref name="Temizer-2021" /> though this time generally translated internationally as "king" rather than "emperor".<ref name="Temizer-2021" /><ref name="Crampton-2009" />
Titles
[edit]Titles in the First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018)
[edit].jpg){kind=link}
Evidence concerning the titles used by the rulers of the First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018) prior to the conversion to Christianity in the 860s is scant. The only title known from contemporary sources is kanasubigi, recorded in ten Greek-language inscriptions (as ΚΑΝΑΣΥΒΙΓΙ) from the ninth century in reference to Omurtag (814–831) and his son Malamir (831–836). Two gold medallions struck for Omurtag also use the same title.<ref name="Curta-2021a">Template:Cite book</ref>
Upon his conversion to Christianity in 864/865, Boris I (852–889) adopted the new ruling title knyaz, generally translated as "prince" (though sometimes alternatively as "king").<ref name="Detrez-2014">Template:Cite book</ref> This title was used by the Bulgarian rulers until 913, when the knyaz Simeon I (893–927), Boris I's son, invaded the Byzantine Empire. Simeon aspired to make Bulgaria into the new "universal monarchy" (a role the Byzantines viewed themselves as having) by absorbing and replacing the empire centered in Constantinople. Due to the threat presented by Simeon, who reached the walls of Constantinople, the Byzantines relented and the Patriarch of Constantinople, Nicholas Mystikos, granted him an imperial crown.<ref name="Nicol-1967">Template:Cite journal</ref> The only other monarch recognized as a basileus (i.e. emperor) by the Byzantines was (at times) the Holy Roman emperor.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Byzantines did not consider Simeon as outranking their own emperors and designated him as the "Emperor of the Bulgarians". Simeon himself used the grander title "Emperor of the Bulgarians and the Romans".<ref name="Nicol-1967" /> The title of emperor was in Bulgarian translated as tsar (deriving from the Latin caesar), seen as equivalent to the Greek basileus or Latin imperator.<ref name="Crampton-1987">Template:Cite book</ref>
Bulgarian rulers from the death of Simeon I in 927 until the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire in 1018 used the simpler "Emperor of the Bulgarians", ceasing to claim Byzantium's universal monarchy.<ref name="Nicol-1967" />
Titles in the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422)
[edit]The first rulers of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422) revived the style used by Simeon I's successors, "Emperor of the Bulgarians", rendered tsr’ Bl’garom in Bulgarian documents and imperator Bulgarorum in Latin.<ref name=":LRT">Template:Cite book</ref> The second empire's third ruler, Kaloyan (1196–1207), adopted the grander title "Emperor of Bulgarians and Vlachs" (imperator Bulgarorum et Blachorum).<ref name="Petkov-2008" /><ref name="Daskalov-2015">Template:Cite book</ref> He unsuccessfully sought recognition of this title from the Papacy, though Pope Innocent III merely recognized him as "King of the Bulgarians and Vlachs" (rex Bulgarorum et Blachorum), not wishing to recognize any other emperor than the Holy Roman emperor.<ref name="Daskalov-2015" />
The fifth ruler of the second empire, Ivan Asen II (1218–1241) after 1230 extended his original title "Emperor of the Bulgarians" to the grander "Emperor of the Bulgarians and Greeks" (tsr’ Bl’garom i Gr’kom, Latin: imperator Bulgarorum et Grecorum). This title was taken to reflect his extensive conquests in formerly Byzantine territory and was effectively a revival of Simeon I's title since both "Greeks" and "Romans" were envisioned as referring to the inhabitants of the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Bideleux-2007" /><ref name=":LRT" /> Ivan Asen II also introduced the element "autocrat" (Bulgarian: samodrzac, Latin: moderator) into the Bulgarian imperial title, modelled on its usage in the Byzantine imperial title,<ref name=":LRT" /> and eventually in full styled himself as the "Emperor and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks"<ref name="Bideleux-2007" /><ref name=":LRT" /> (Bulgarian: tsr’ i samodrzac Bl’garom i Gr’kom, Latin: imperator et moderator Bulgarorum et Grecorum).<ref name=":LRT" />
Ivan Asen II's successors kept "autocrat" in the title but returned to the simpler style "Emperor and Autocrat of the Bulgarians".<ref name="CurtaFlorin">Template:Cite book</ref> His extended title was later revived by Ivan Alexander (1331–1371), who also proclaimed himself as the "Emperor and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks"<ref name="CurtaFlorin" /> to challenge the authority of the then weakened Byzantine Empire.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Ivan Alexander's son Ivan Shishman (1371–1395) is also recorded to have used this extended imperial title.<ref name="CurtaFlorin" />
Titles in modern Bulgaria (1878–1946)
[edit]The Tarnovo Constitution of the modern Principality of Bulgaria (1878–1908) stipulated that the monarch was to use the title "Knyaz of Bulgaria" (i.e. "Prince of Bulgaria") rather than tsar due to the principality being an autonomous vassal state of the Ottoman Empire rather than a fully independent country.<ref name="Tarnovo Const.-1879" />
When Bulgaria achieved complete independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908, the former knyaz Ferdinand I (1887–1918) adopted the higher title of "Tsar of the Bulgarians", as had been used by Bulgarian monarchs in the Middle Ages. The assumption of the title of tsar was met with opposition from both the Ottomans and the Russian Empire.<ref name="Temizer-2021">Template:Cite journal</ref> Although tsar had been understood as equivalent to emperor in medieval times,<ref name="Crampton-1987" /> the title of the new Bulgarian tsars was generally translated as "King of the Bulgarians" internationally.<ref name="Crampton-2009">Template:Cite book</ref>
Names and regnal numbers
[edit]
Regnal numbers for monarchs have only been officially used in Bulgaria in modern times, beginning with Alexander I in 1879.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Modern historiography retroactively also assigns sequential regnal numbers to medieval Bulgarian rulers, even if they ruled different Bulgarian states and used different titles; Boris I (852–889) ruled the First Bulgarian Empire as a prince (knyaz), his great-grandson Boris II (967–977) ruled the same state as emperor, and Boris III (1918–1943) ruled the modern Kingdom of Bulgaria as tsar (king).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
There were three different types of names used by medieval Bulgarian monarchs after Bulgaria converted to Christianity; names drawn from Bulgar or Slavic tradition (i.e. Boris, Boril, Vladimir, Presian), names drawn from Christian tradition (i.e. Michael, Simeon, Peter, Ivan, Samuel), or double names combining both (i.e. Ivan Vladislav, Gavril Radomir, Ivan Sratsimir, Theodore Svetoslav). When using a double name, the Christian name always preceded the name drawn from local tradition. Very rarely, Bulgarian rulers used double names combining two Christian names (i.e. Ivan Stephen, Ivan Alexander).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
The use of double names by Bulgarian monarchs, sometimes not used consistently in contemporary sources,Template:Efn has in cases led to confusion and misunderstanding in modern efforts to assign regnal numbers. In particular, it has sometimes erroneously been assumed that the usage of double names indicated that the monarchs employed family names; this interpretation has in the past resulted in the use of names such as Ivan II Asen (for Ivan Asen II), George I Terter (for George Terter I) and Michael III Shishman (for Michael Asen III). Names of clans were prominently used in Bulgaria in pre-Christian times, though disappeared from usage sometime after the conversion to Christianity, despite family names being used in some of Bulgaria's closest neighbours (such as the Byzantine Empire).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Although names such as Asen or Terter could serve as genealogical and political markers to demonstrate a ruler's position in an illustrious lineage they were also fully part of the ruler's regnal names, as demonstrated by those rulers whose double names excluded genealogical connections (such as Ivan Alexander). Double names with genealogical connotations were at times also claimed by rulers not belonging to the same dynastic lineage, such as Mitso Asen (1256–1257; who married into the Asen dynasty).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
First Bulgarian Empire (c. 680–1018)
[edit]Early Bulgarian rulers (c. 680–803)
[edit]The First Bulgarian Empire is regarded to have been established Template:Circa 680 when the Bulgarian ruler Asparuh crossed the Danube.<ref name="Runciman-1930" /><ref name="Morby-2014">Template:Cite book</ref> Asparuh's family, the Dulo clan, claimed descent from the Hunnic ruler Attila, through Attila's son Ernak.<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> References to political developments within Bulgaria prior to the reign of Krum (c. 803–814) are extremely scant, making the dates and family relationships of the rulers recorded in contemporary and later sources highly uncertain.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> The rulers below may all belong to the Dulo clan or might alternatively have belonged to various competing clans.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Several alternate chronologies of early Bulgarian rulers have been proposed, with some presented below, with the names standardized across sources:
| Moskov (1988):<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | Fine (1991):<ref name="Fine-1991" />
(originally 1983) |
Treadgold (1997):<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | Morby (2014):<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | Detrez (2014):<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | Curta (2019):<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asparuh (668–695) | Asparuh (670s–701) | Asparuh (681–c.701) | Asparuh (680–700) | Asparuh (641–701) | Asparuh (681–c.700) |
| Tervel (695–714) | Tervel (701–718) | Tervel (c.701–c.718) | Tervel (700–721) | Tervel (701–718) | Tervel (c.700–721) |
| anonymous (714–715) | |||||
| Kormesiy (715–721) | Unknown (718–725) | Kormisosh (721–738) | Unknown (718–c.725) | Kormisosh (721–738) | |
| Sevar (721–737) | Sevar (725–739) | Sevar (c.718–750) | Sevar (738–753) | Sevar (c.725–739) | Sevar (738–753/4) |
| Kormisosh (737–754) | Kormisosh (739–756) | Kormisosh (750–762) | Kormisosh (739–756) | ||
| Vineh (754–760) | Vineh (756–c.761) | Vineh and | Vineh (753–760) | Vineh (756–762) | Vineh (753/4–760) |
| Telets (760–763) | Telets (c.761–c.764) | Telets (762–763) | Telets (760–763) | Telets (762–765) | Telets (760–763) |
| Sabin (763–765) | Sabin (c.764–767) | Sabin (763–766) | Sabin (765–767) | Sabin (763–766) | |
| Umor (765) | Umor (767) | Umor (763) | Umor (766) | Umor (767) | Umor (766) |
| Toktu (765–766) | Toktu (767–c.769) | Pagan (763–765) | Toktu (766–767) | Toktu (767–772) | Toktu (766–767) |
| Pagan (766–767) | Pagan (c.770) | Toktu (765) | Pagan (767–768) | Pagan (772/3) | Pagan (767–768) |
| Telerig (767–777) | Telerig (c.770–777) | Telerig (765?–777) | Telerig (768–777) | Telerig (772/3–777) | Telerig (768–777) |
| Kardam (777–803) | Kardam (777–c.803) | Kardam (777?–c.803) | Kardam (777–803) | Kardam (777–802) | Kardam (777–803) |
House of Krum (803–997)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Krum33.jpg | Krum Крум |
Template:Circa 803?–814<ref name="Fine-1991">Template:Cite book</ref> (c. 11-17 years) |
Possibly a descendant of the Dulo clan.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Krum may have ascended the throne as early as 796/7.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Successful warrior and conqueror; defeated the Avars and incorporated parts of Transylvania and eastern Serbia into Bulgaria. Replaced customary law in Bulgaria with written legislation. Most known for his wars against the Byzantine Empire. In 811 his forces defeated and killed Emperor Nikephoros I at the Battle of Pliska, whereafter the emperor's skull was fashioned into a drinking cup. Died suddenly while preparing a campaign intended to conquer Constantinople.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> |
| Dukum<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Treadgold-1997">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Haldon-2005">Template:Cite book</ref> Дукум |
possibly 814 (briefly) |
Brother of Krum.<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> An experienced military commander who played an important role in Krum's military campaigns.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011">Template:Cite book</ref> Possibly seized the throne after Krum's death but died almost immediately,<ref name="Runciman-1930">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> presumably of natural causes.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Some historians consider Dukum, named only in hagiographical sources, merely a local ruler and not a monarch, with Krum perhaps being succeeded directly by his son Omurtag.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Ditzeng<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Treadgold-1997" /><ref name="Haldon-2005" />Template:Efn Диценг |
possibly 814–815<ref name="Morby-2014" /> (1 year) |
Unknown relation;<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> presumably a brother or nephew of Krum.<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Recorded as persecutor of Christian prisoners.<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> May have been in ill health at the time of his accession.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Some historians consider Ditzeng, named only in hagiographical sources, merely a local ruler and not a monarch, with Krum perhaps being succeeded directly by his son Omurtag.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| File:Omurtag1.jpg | Omurtag Омуртаг |
814<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>/815<ref name="Morby-2014" />–831 (16-17 years) |
Son of Krum.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> May have seized the throne from Ditzeng<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> or succeeded his father Krum directly.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Signed a 30-year peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire in 815.<ref name="Curta-2021a" /><ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Devoted much of his reign to construction projects. At times aided the Byzantines, such as joining the war against the Byzantine pretender Thomas the Slav.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Solidified the Bulgarian central government.<ref name="Hupchick-2017" /> |
| Malamir Маламир |
831–836 (5 years) |
Son of Omurtag.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> Malamir was possibly underage throughout his reign and the Bulgarian administration was headed by the regent Isbul. His five-year reign saw renewed conflict and warfare with the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Died of unknown causes, no longer occupying the Bulgarian throne by 836.<ref name="Hupchick-2017" /> | |
| Presian I Пресиян |
836–852 (16 years) |
Son of Zvinitsa, a son of Omurtag.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /><ref name="Morby-2014" /> Underage at the time of his accession, the administration was initially headed by the regent Isbul.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Although hostile to the Byzantine Empire, Presian spent the better part of his reign working to expand Bulgaria rather than fighting the Byzantines. His reign saw the Bulgarians push west of the Vardar river for the first time and led to considerable territorial gains in the west.<ref name="Hupchick-2017" /> | |
| File:TzarBorisDidacticGospelConstantinePreslavski.jpg | Boris ITemplate:Efn Борис |
852–889 (36 years) |
Son of Presian I.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> Unsuccessfully warred against Serbia and Croatia.<ref name="Lawler-2015">Template:Cite book</ref> Under pressure from the Byzantine emperor Michael III,<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> Boris was responsible for converting Bulgaria to Christianity, he himself being baptized in 864/865.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /><ref name="Miller-1923" /> Adopted the new ruling title of knyaz (prince) at the time of his conversion.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Defeated a major uprising of pagans against his rule. Abdicated in favour of his son Vladimir in 889 and retired to a monastery, dying in 907.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> Considered a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> |
| File:Vladimir Rasate (crop).png | Vladimir Владимир Расате |
889–893 (4 years) |
Son of Boris I. The Bulgarian nobility revolted against Christianity after Boris's abdication and Vladimir took part in persecuting Christians and destroying churches. Also abandoned relations with the Byzantine Empire. Boris returned from retirement in 893 and deposed, blinded, and imprisoned Vladimir. Boris's other son Simeon was thereafter made ruler.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> |
| File:Skylitzes - Simeón el Grande crop.jpg | Simeon I Симеон |
893–927 (34 years) |
Son of Boris I.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> Made knyaz (prince) after the deposition of Vladimir.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> Aspiring to supplant or conquer the Byzantine Empire, Simeon was in 913 the first Bulgarian ruler to assume the title of tsar (emperor) and was recognized as such by the Byzantines.<ref name="Nicol-1967" /> Fought many wars with the Byzantine Empire, though never succeeded in capturing Constantinople. Extended Bulgarian rule far into Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia but appears to have lost the Bulgarian lands north of the Danube. Proclaimed the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to be independent under its own patriarch.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| File:Seal of Petar I.png | Peter I Петър |
927–969 (42 years) |
Son of Simeon I.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> Faced invasions from the Magyars and uprisings by some of his brothers. Otherwise had a relatively peaceful reign; achieved important diplomatic gains from the Byzantines, such as the recognition of his imperial title, the recognition of the Bulgarian church's independence, and an imperial marriage. Abdicated and retired to a monastery in 969 after suffering a stroke.<ref name="EB-2023">Template:Cite web</ref> Considered a saint in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.<ref name="EB-2023" /> |
| File:Boris II.jpg | Boris II Борис |
969–977Template:Efn (8 years) |
Son of Peter I.<ref name="Pavlov-2009">Template:Cite book</ref> Contended with invasions by the Kievan Rus' and the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> The Bulgarian capital of Preslav was captured by the Byzantine Empire in 971, resulting in Boris and his brother Roman being brought to Constantinople as prisoners.<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Roszkowski-2015">Template:Cite book</ref> Power in Bulgaria fell to a group of four nobles, the cometopuli brothers, who upheld the rights of Boris while he was held prisoner.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /><ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" /> The two brothers escaped back to Bulgaria in 977, though Boris was killed during the journey.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> |
| File:Roman BG.JPG | Roman Роман |
977–997Template:Efn (20 years) |
Son of Peter I.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> Previously held captive by the Byzantines in Constantinople.<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" /><ref name="Roszkowski-2015" /> Infrequently mentioned in surviving sources and appears to have been more of a figurehead for the cometopuli than an active ruler.<ref name="Hupchick-2017">Template:Cite book</ref> Captured by the Byzantines again in 991 and died in captivity six years later.<ref name="Whittow-1996">Template:Cite book</ref> |
.png){kind=link}
House of Cometopuli (997–1018)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Samuil of bolgaria reconstruction.jpg | Samuel Самуил |
997–1014 (17 years) |
The youngest of the cometopuli, the sons of a noble named Nicholas. Samuel and his brothers had some relation to the preceding royal dynasty,<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> possibly being cousins of Boris II and Roman.<ref name="Vlasto-1970">Template:Cite book</ref> One of the primary Bulgarian military leaders from 971 onwards and proclaimed emperor after Roman's death.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /><ref name="Vlasto-1970" /> Relatively successful in staving off the Byzantine conquest of the remaining Bulgarian territories. Died of a heart attack brought on by the sight of the thousands of Bulgarian soldiers blinded by the Byzantine emperor Basil II after the Battle of Kleidion.<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" /> |
| File:Radomir.jpg | Gavril Radomir Гаврил Радомир |
1014–1015 (less than a year) |
Son of Samuel. Murdered by his cousin Ivan Vladislav after a reign of less than a year.<ref name="Miller-1923" /> |
| File:IvanVladislav.jpg | Ivan Vladislav Иван Владислав |
1015–1018 (3 years) |
Son of Aron, a brother of Samuel. Led the defense against the Byzantine Empire as Emperor Basil II once more invaded Bulgaria and killed at the Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1018. After his death, the Bulgarian nobility became divided among two parties, one headed by Ivan Vladislav's widow Maria and one headed by his son Presian II. Maria formally surrendered Bulgaria to Basil.<ref name="Miller-1923">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Bulgaria was conquered by the Byzantine Empire in the Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria (968–1018), resulting in the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire | |||
Pretenders during Byzantine rule (1018–1185)
[edit]Various Byzantine military governors (with the title strategos) were appointed in formerly Bulgarian lands over the course of the Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria, from the 970s onwards.<ref name="Krsmanovic-2008">Template:Cite book</ref> Following the completion of the conquest of Bulgaria in 1018, Emperor Basil II organized much of the central Balkans into the Theme of Bulgaria, which was governed by an imperially appointed official titled (depending on the time) as the doux (duke) or katepano of Bulgaria.<ref name="Krsmanovic-2008" /><ref name=":AMD">Template:Cite book</ref> The capital of Byzantine Bulgaria was Skopion (modern-day Skopje).<ref name="Krsmanovic-2008" /><ref name=":AMD" /> There were several attempts at restoring the Bulgarian Empire during the nearly two centuries of Byzantine rule.
| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Presian II of Bulgaria.jpg | Presian II Пресиян |
1018 (less than a year) |
Son of Ivan Vladislav. Although most of the Bulgarian aristocracy surrendered to the Byzantine Empire alongside Maria, Presian II and some of his brothers continued to lead a small resistance,<ref name="Miller-1923" /><ref name="Бакалов-2003" /> based around the Tomorr mountain range.<ref name="Miller-1923" /> They were eventually also forced to surrender to the Byzantines.<ref name="Miller-1923" /><ref name="Бакалов-2003">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| File:Peter Delyan close-up.png | Peter DelyanTemplate:Efn Петър Делян |
1040–1041 (1 year) |
Claimed to be a grandson of Gavril Radomir, though his ancestry is unverified. Servant of a Byzantine aristocrat; escaped to Belgrade and proclaimed himself emperor with the support of Bulgarian aristocrats. Fought against the Byzantine Empire for control of Bulgaria until betrayed and blinded by Alusian. Continued to lead some troops until his defeat at the Battle of Ostrovo; later fate unknown.<ref name="Chary-2011" /> |
| File:Tihomir close-up.png | Tihomir Тихомир |
1040 (less than a year) |
Bulgarian military commander in Dyrrhachium. Proclaimed himself emperor after hearing of Peter Delyan's revolt. Deposed and executed after Delyan proved to be more popular among the Bulgarians.<ref name="Chary-2011" /> |
| File:Alusian close-up.png | Alusian Алусиан |
1041 (less than a year) |
Son of Ivan Vladislav. Governor of one of the Byzantine Empire's Armenian provinces. Travelled to Bulgaria to join Peter Delyan's uprising as a military leader. After relations between the two deteriorated, Alusian betrayed and blinded Delyan and was proclaimed emperor in his stead. Surrendered to the Byzantines after losing a battle.<ref name="Chary-2011">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| File:Бодин, краљ српски (1081 - после 1101).jpg | Constantine BodinTemplate:Efn Константин Бодин |
1072 (less than a year) |
Matrilineal great-great-grandson of Samuel<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and son of the anti-Byzantine Serbian ruler Mihailo I.<ref name="Rosser-2012">Template:Cite book</ref> Invited by Bulgarian nobles and acclaimed Bulgarian emperor<ref name="Madgearu-2016" /> during Georgi Voyteh's uprising against the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> The uprising was defeated after a few months and Bodin was in Byzantine captivity until 1078.<ref name="Madgearu-2008">Template:Cite book</ref> Later reigned as King of Dioclea 1081–1101.<ref name="Madgearu-2008" /> |
.jpg){kind=link}
Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422)
[edit]House of Asen (1185–1256)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Coin of Peter II (IV).png | Peter IITemplate:Efn Петър |
1185–1197 (12 years) |
Aristocrat, probably of Vlach origin,<ref name="Fine-1991" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> with no relation to previous monarchs.<ref name="Vasary-2005" />Template:Efn Revolted against the Byzantine Empire alongside his brother Ivan Asen 1185 after being slighted by Emperor Isaac II Angelos. Proclaimed himself Bulgarian emperor in November 1185. After years of fighting, Isaac in 1188 recognized the brothers as rulers of an independent Bulgarian state, though skirmishes continued thereafter. Ivan Asen was later made the senior co-ruler (ruling from Tarnovo), with Peter ruling from Preslav.<ref name="Fine-1991" /> Murdered in 1197.<ref name="Various-2021">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| File:Coin of Ivan Asen I.png | Ivan Asen I Иван Асен |
Template:Circa 1188–1196 (c. 8 years) |
Brother of Peter II;<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> co-leader in their revolt against the Byzantine Empire. Made senior co-ruler at some point between 1187 and early 1190.<ref name="Fine-1991" /> Murdered in 1196.<ref name="Various-2021" /> |
| File:Leaden seal of Kaloyan.png | Kaloyan (Ivan I)<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />Template:Efn Калоян (Иван) |
1196–1207 (9 years) |
Brother of Peter II and Ivan Asen I.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Foiled efforts at separatism by some of the nobility and consolidated royal power. Considerably expanded Bulgarian territory through wars with Serbia, Hungary, and the Byzantine Empire. Increased his expansion into Byzantine lands following the collapse of the Byzantine Empire due to the Fourth Crusade (1202–1204). Later fought against the Latin Empire, defeating its first emperor (Baldwin I). Believed to have been murdered.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> |
| File:Seal of Boril.jpg | Boril Борил |
1207–1218 (11 years) |
Son of a sister of Peter II, Ivan Asen I and Kaloyan.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /><ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Boril's reign saw unsuccessful wars against Serbia, the Latin Empire, and the competing successor states of the Byzantine Empire, as well as the spread of the Bogomilist sect in Bulgaria. Deposed and blinded by his cousin Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> |
| File:Coin of Ivan Asen II.png | Ivan Asen II Иван Асен |
1218–1241 (23 years) |
Son of Ivan Asen I.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Overthrew Boril.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Ivan Asen II aspired to make himself the ruler of a joint Bulgarian-Byzantine Empire<ref name="Various-2021" /> and his reign saw the Second Bulgarian Empire reach its greatest extent.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Defeated the Empire of Thessalonica at the Battle of Klokotnitsa (1230), whereafter much of its territory was annexed and Bulgaria became the most powerful state in southeastern Europe.<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> Re-established the independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church under a patriarch in 1235.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> |
| Kaliman Asen I Калиман Асен |
1241–1246 (5 years) |
Son of Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession. Murdered after a reign of five years.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> | |
| File:Michael-Asen-Kastoria.jpg | Michael Asen ITemplate:Efn Мицо Асен |
1246–1256 (10 years) |
Son of Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Ambushed and killed in 1256 by a group of Bulgarian nobles after a treaty in which Michael Asen I returned all of Bulgaria's territorial gains in former Byzantine territory to the Empire of Nicaea.<ref name="Curta-2021b">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Kaliman Asen II Калиман Асен |
1256 (less than a year) |
Grandson of Ivan Asen I.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Proclaimed emperor after Michael Asen I's death.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Married his predecessor's widow but was ineffective at maintaining power<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> and died within a year.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> His death extinguished the male line of the House of Asen.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> |
.png){kind=link}
Successors of the Asenids (1256–1280)
[edit]The end of the male line of the House of Asen plunged Bulgaria into a chaotic period of fragmentation and civil wars between numerous lines of claimants.<ref name="Curta-2021b" />
| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Coin of Mitso Asen.png | Mitso Asen Мицо Асен |
1256–1263 (7 years) |
Husband of Maria Asenina, a daughter of Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Proclaimed emperor in southeastern Bulgaria either in opposition to Kaliman Asen II<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> or after his death. Unclear if he ever gained control of the capital of Tarnovo,<ref name="Fine-1994" /> though he may have held it briefly<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> in 1256–1257.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Later established himself in the lands surrounding Mesembria. Gave Mesembria to the Byzantine Empire in 1263 after attacks by Constantine I Tih, in return being allowed to live out his life in exile in Anatolia.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> |
| File:Rostislav Mikhailovich (crop).jpg | Rostislav Mikhailovich Ростислав Михайлович (Pretender in Vidin) |
1257–1262 (5 years) |
Father-in-law of Michael Asen I and Kaliman Asen II.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Invaded Bulgaria, though was unable to take the capital of Tarnovo. Occupied Vidin and governed the surrounding area as self-proclaimed Bulgarian emperor, supported by the Kingdom of Hungary.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Left landless after an attack by Constantine I Tih in 1260, though restored with Hungarian aid in 1261, claiming the same title again until his death in 1262.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> |
| File:KonstantinTih.jpg | Constantine I TihTemplate:Efn Константин Асен |
1257–1277 (20 years) |
Elected emperor in Tarnovo in 1257 by the Bulgarian nobility, in opposition to both Mitso Asen and Rostislav. Married Irene Doukaina Laskarina, a granddaughter of Ivan Asen II, in order to boost his legitimacy.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Ultimately victorious in the civil wars of the 1250s and 1260s.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Later remarried to Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene, a niece of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Defeated and killed in battle by the peasant rebel Ivaylo.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /><ref name="Vasary-2005">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| File:Coin of Jacob Svetoslav.png | Jacob Svetoslav Яков Светослав (Pretender in Vidin) |
1266–Template:Circa 1273 (c. 7 years) |
Noble of princely Russian origin.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> Initially loyal to Constantine I Tih, fighting on his side with the title of despot in the wars against Hungary (1261) and the Byzantine Empire (1262–1263). Came in possession of Vidin Template:Circa 1263 and gradually fell under Hungarian suzerainty. Referred to as "Bulgarian emperor" in Hungarian documents from 1266 onwards. Asserted his independence from Hungary Template:Circa 1273 and re-aligned himself with Constantine again; adopted as a second son by Constantine's wife (making him second-in-line to the throne) but later poisoned by her Template:Circa 1275.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> |
| Michael Asen II Михаил Асен |
1277–1279 (2 years) |
Son of Constantine I; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1272–1277.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession, his mother Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene ruled as regent.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> In 1278 made co-ruler with Ivaylo, who married Maria.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Deposed by the Byzantine-supported Ivan Asen III and sent as a captive to Constantinople.<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> | |
| "Ivaylo"Template:Efn Ивайло |
1278–1279 (1 year) |
An illiterate swineherd<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> who became leader of a peasant uprising and seized control of much of Bulgaria. Became a legitimate monarch through marriage with Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene, Michael Asen II's mother,<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> who married him on the condition that Michael Asen II's rights continued to be respected.<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Escaped to the Golden Horde in exile after Ivan Asen III took control of Bulgaria. Killed by Nogai Khan after requests from the Byzantines.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Ivan Asen III Иван Асен |
1279–1280 (1 year) |
Son of Mitso Asen.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Supported as puppet emperor of Bulgaria by the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, against Ivaylo and Michael Asen II. Took control of Bulgaria with the help of the Byzantine army.<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Fled to the Byzantine Empire after a brief reign due to fearing the ambitions of the aristocrat George Terter, whereafter the Bulgarians proclaimed George Terter emperor in his stead.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> |
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House of Terter (1280–1292, first time)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Coin of George Terter I.png | George Terter I Георги Тертер |
1280–1292 (12 years) |
Leading member of the Bulgarian aristocracy. Wishing to safeguard the position of Ivan Asen III, the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos arranged for George Terter to divorce his wife and marry Kira Maria Asenina (Ivan Asen III's sister). Despite this, George Terter plotted against Ivan Asen III, who eventually fled to the Byzantines. The Bulgarians thereafter proclaimed George Terter emperor.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Overthrown by Nogai Khan of the Golden Horde and fled to Byzantium.<ref name="Hupchick-2002">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Vasary-2005"/> |
House of Smilets (1292–1299)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smilets Смилец |
1292–1298 (6 years) |
Member of a prominent Bulgarian noble family<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> though without known connections to previous Bulgarian royalty.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Husband of Smiltsena Palaiologina, a niece of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Made emperor of Bulgaria (as a puppet ruler) by Nogai Khan of the Golden Horde.<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> | |
| Ivan IITemplate:Efn Иван |
1298–1299 (1 year) |
Son of Smilets.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession, Ivan II briefly succeeded his father before being deposed after Chaka's invasion of Bulgaria.<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /> Later lived out his life in exile in the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Georgieva-2017">Template:Cite journal</ref> Due to the small number of sources (two documents) some historians have disputed whether Ivan II actually reigned.<ref name="Georgieva-2017" /> |
House of Borjigin (1299–1300)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Coin of Chaka.png | Chaka Чака |
1299–1300 (1 year) |
Son-in-law of George Terter I and son of Nogai Khan of the Golden Horde. Invaded Bulgaria, assisted by Theodore Svetoslav (a son of George Terter I). Proclaimed himself as emperor of Bulgaria and achieved some recognition with Svetoslav's help. Came into conflict with the Golden Horde khan Toqta and then overthrown and strangled by Svetoslav.<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Some historians have argued that Chaka was never emperor of Bulgaria, but merely dominated it through his brother-in-law Theodore Svetoslav.<ref name="Pavlov-1999">Template:Cite journal</ref> |
House of Terter (1300–1323, second time)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Silver coin of Theodore Svetoslav.png | Theodore Svetoslav Тодор Светослав |
1300–1322 (22 years) |
Son of George Terter I; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1285–1292.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Overthrew and strangled Chaka, with support from Toqta of the Golden Horde.<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Ended the period of Mongol dominion over Bulgaria<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> and waged wars against both the Byzantine Empire and various autonomous Bulgarian nobles.<ref name="Logio-1974">Template:Cite book</ref> Mostly successful;<ref name="Logio-1974" /> succeeding in reconsolidating the empire.<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> |
| File:Coin of George Terter II.png | George Terter II Георги Тертер |
1322–1323 (1 year) |
Son of Theodore Svetoslav; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1321–1322.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Intervened in the Byzantine civil war of 1321–1328<ref name="TSvetkov-1993">Template:Cite book</ref> and spent much of his brief reign warring with the Byzantines, for instance recapturing Plovdiv.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> His death marked the extinction of the direct Terter line.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> |
House of Shishman (1323–1331)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Coin of Michael Shishman.png | Michael Asen IIITemplate:Efn Михаил Асен |
1323–1330 (7 years) |
Matrilineal great-grandson of Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Mladjov-2015">Template:Cite journal</ref> Previously semi-independent despot of Vidin. Elected as emperor by the Bulgarian nobility after George Terter II's death due to being considered the strongest local candidate. Retook some territory that had been lost to the Byzantines during the brief interregnum before his election.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> |
| File:King John Stephen of Bulgaria 19th Century.JPG | Ivan Stephen Иван Стефан |
1330–1331 (1 year) |
Son of Michael Asen III; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1323–1324.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Deposed after a brief reign in favour of his cousin Ivan Alexander in a coup d'état headed by elements of the Bulgarian nobility. After his deposition, Ivan Stephen fled to Serbia and then to the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> |
House of Sratsimir (1331–1422)
[edit]Template:MainThe rulers of the House of Sratsimir, patrilineal descendants of the despot Sratsimir, are in lists of monarchs often designated as part of the Shishmanid dynasty, with which they only share matrilineal descent. Through their matrilineal descent from the House of Shishman, the rulers of the House of Sratsimir were also descendants of the House of Asen.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Ivan Alexander.jpg | Ivan Alexander Иван Александър |
1331–1371 (40 years) |
Son of Keratsa Petritsa, a sister of Michael Asen III.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Proclaimed emperor following a coup d'état headed by elements of the Bulgarian nobility.<ref name="Fine-1994">Template:Cite book</ref> Allied with Stefan Dušan of the Serbian Empire, who was eclipsing Bulgaria's power. Managed to capture some territories from the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> Divided the empire among his sons to avoid succession problems, leading to Bulgaria's fragmentation. Allied with the Ottoman Turks against the Byzantines, inadvertently accelerating the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> |
| File:Ivan Alexander with Michael Asen IV (coin).jpg | Michael Asen IV<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Михаил Асен (Junior co-ruler) |
Never ruled in his own right | Eldest<ref name="Andreev-1993">Template:Cite book</ref> son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1332–1355.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Led an army in the defense against an Ottoman invasion in 1354–1355, during which he was killed in battle near Sofia.<ref name="Andreev-1993" /> |
| File:Ivan Asen IV.png | Ivan Asen IV<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Иван Асен (Junior co-ruler) |
Never ruled in his own right | Son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1337–1349.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Led an army in the defense against an Ottoman invasion in 1349, during which he was killed in battle near Sofia.<ref name="Andreev-1993" /> |
| File:Ivan Sratsimir portrait 1.JPG | Ivan Sratsimir Иван Срацимир (Ruling in Vidin) |
1356–Template:Circa 1397 (c. 41 years) |
Son of Ivan Alexander; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1337–1356.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Granted Vidin and the surrounding lands by his father as autonomous emperor while his younger brother Ivan Shishman inherited Tarnovo.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Immediately tried to take control of all of Bulgaria after his father's death, though was defeated by Ivan Shishman.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> The Vidin empire was largely conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1396/1397 and Ivan Sratsimir was deposed and taken prisoner.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /><ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> |
| File:53 IoSisiman.JPG | Ivan Shishman Иван Шишман (Ruling in Tarnovo) |
1371–1395 (24 years) |
Son of Ivan Alexander; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1356–1371.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Made the heir to Tarnovo over the elder Ivan Sratsimir due to the influence of his mother Sarah-Theodora. Fought off Ivan Sratsimir's attempt at capturing Tarnovo.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> Made a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. Tried to gain Hungarian aid to reassert his independence, which led to the Ottomans invading his lands. Tarnovo and most of Bulgaria was captured in 1393,<ref name="Fine-1994" /> followed by Nikopol and Ivan Shishman's other remaining territory in 1395. Allegedly murdered by the Ottomans after the capture of Nikopol.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| File:Ivan Asen V.jpg | Ivan Asen V<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Иван Асен (Junior co-ruler) |
Never ruled in his own right | Son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor 1356–Template:Circa 1388.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Recorded to have presided over church synods at Tarnovo (1360) together with his father and Ivan Shishman.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the Bulgarian–Ottoman wars (1345–1396), resulting in the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire | |||
| File:Constantine of Vidin.jpg | Constantine II КонстантинTemplate:Efn (Ruling in Vidin) |
Template:Circa 1397–1422 (c. 25 years) |
Son of Ivan Sratsimir; previously junior co-emperor Template:Circa 1395–1397.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Remained in control of at least some parts of his father's domains around Vidin,<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> probably initially as an Ottoman vassal,<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> for most of the time until his death in 1422.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> |
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Pretenders during Ottoman rule (1422–1878)
[edit]Template:See alsoFollowing the gradual conquest of Bulgaria in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Ottomans incorporated the Bulgarian lands into the vast province of Rumelia.<ref name=":AGO">Template:Cite book</ref> In the late 16th century, the new province of Silistra was created due to persistent northern attacks from the Cossacks.<ref name=":AGO" /> Later on, much of modern-day northern Bulgaria was organized into the Danube vilayet, which in terms of borders closely corresponded to the succeeding autonomous Principality of Bulgaria.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Like under the period of Byzantine rule, the Ottoman authorities were sometimes faced with Bulgarian uprisings aimed at independence, at times also involving the proclamation of new Bulgarian monarchs.
| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Prince fruzhin of bulgaria.jpg | Fruzhin Фружин |
1422–1460 (38 years) |
Son of Ivan Shishman. Fled to Hungary after the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire, where he was made the ruler of the County of Temes. His titular claim to the Bulgarian throne was recognized by the Hungarian king Sigismund (1387–1437).<ref name="bakalov">Template:Cite book</ref> Fruzhin was counted as emperor in some later Bulgarian sources.<ref name="Petkov-2008">Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Ivan Shishman IITemplate:Efn Иван Шишман |
1598 (less than a year) |
Allegedly a descendant of the House of Sratsimir.<ref name="Haskell-1966">Template:Cite book</ref> Proclaimed tsar during the First Tarnovo Uprising (1598)<ref name="Georgescu-1991">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Haskell-1966" /> and briefly ruled at Tarnovo.<ref name="Georgescu-1991" /> The first attempt at mass liberation in Bulgaria, this uprising was eventually crushed by the Ottomans.<ref name="Haskell-1966" /> | |
| File:Rstratimirovic.jpg | Rostislav Stratimirovic Ростислав Стратимирович |
1686 (less than a year) |
Allegedly a descendant of the House of Sratsimir. Proclaimed knyaz (prince) during the Second Tarnovo Uprising (1686). Hoped to gain support from the Tsardom of Russia, though the uprising began prematurely and was crushed by the Ottomans.<ref name="TSvetkov-1993" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
Principality (1878–1908) and Kingdom of Bulgaria (1908–1946)
[edit]House of Battenberg (1879–1886)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Alexander I of Bulgaria by Dimitar Karastoyanov.jpg | Alexander I Александър I |
29 April 1879 – 7 September 1886 (7 years and 131 days) |
A new Bulgarian state was established through the treaties of San Stefano and Berlin (1878) following the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The first National Assembly electedTemplate:Efn Alexander of Battenberg, a German prince, as monarch.<ref name="Dimitrov-2001">Template:Cite book</ref> Since Bulgaria was stipulated to remain an autonomous vassal state of the Ottoman Empire, Alexander used the title knyaz (prince) rather than tsar.<ref name="Tarnovo Const.-1879">Конституция на Княжество България от 1879 г. (Tarnovo Constitution), Article 38</ref> Deposed in a coup led by pro-Russian army officers. Briefly reinstated following a counter-coup before abdicating the throne.<ref name="Dimitrov-2001" /> |
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1887–1946)
[edit]| Image | Name | Reign | Succession and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Zar Ferdinand Bulgarien.jpg | Ferdinand I Фердинанд I |
7 July 1887 – 3 October 1918 (31 years and 87 days) |
Chosen as knyaz (prince)<ref name="Jones-2022">Template:Cite book</ref> after Prince Valdemar of Denmark declined the throne after being approached.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Secured Bulgaria's complete independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908, whereafter he adopted the style of tsar (king). Leading figure in the First Balkan War (1912–1913) though Bulgaria's actions after victory led to the Second Balkan War (1913) which deprived the country of most of its gains. Aligned with the German Empire in World War I (1914–1918) and was forced to abdicate after the war's conclusion.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> |
| File:BASA-3K-7-342-28-Boris III of Bulgaria.jpeg | Boris III Борѝс III |
3 October 1918 – 28 August 1943 (24 years and 330 days) |
Son of Ferdinand I. Succeeded to the throne after his father's abdication.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> Bestowed near-dictatorial powers by a pro-monarchical regime in 1935.<ref name="Crowe-2018">Template:Cite book</ref> Aligned with Nazi Germany during World War II (1939–1945),<ref name="Jones-2022" /><ref name="Beorn-2018">Template:Cite book</ref> mainly out of a desire to increase Bulgarian territory.<ref name="Beorn-2018" /> Bulgaria participated in the invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece,<ref name="Crowe-2018" /> though Boris refused to send Bulgarian soldiers to aid the German invasion of Russia.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> His government oversaw the Holocaust in Bulgaria.<ref name="Crowe-2018" /><ref name="YUP-2001">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref name="Stone-2004">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Efn Died in mysterious circumstances shortly after a visit to Adolf Hitler.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> |
| File:BASA-3K-15-302-26-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo.jpeg | Simeon II Симеон II |
28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946 (3 years and 17 days) |
Son of Boris III. Underage at the time of his accession and thus placed under a regency for the entire duration of his reign, until the Bulgarian monarchy was abolished<ref name="Jones-2022" /> through a referendum<ref name="East-2014">Template:Cite book</ref> by Georgi Dimitrov's communist government. Went to exile in Spain and later returned to Bulgaria as a politician.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> Has never formally renounced his claim to the throne.<ref name="East-2014" />Template:Efn Simeon's party NDSV was victorious in the 2001 Bulgarian parliamentary election and Simeon served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria 2001–2005.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> |
Family trees
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See also
[edit]- History of Bulgaria
- List of heads of the state of Bulgaria
- List of heads of government of Bulgaria
- Coronation of the Bulgarian monarch
- List of Bulgarian royal consorts
- List of rulers of Volga Bulgaria
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]<references />