Origin Dejan had married
Teodora, the sister of King
Stefan Dušan, and received the title of
sevastokrator in 1346, upon Stefan Dušan's crowning as Emperor. Dejan's origin is deemed unknown. Earlier scholars believed that Dejan was a relative of
Jovan Oliver, another magnate in Macedonia, but this is no longer accepted.
Stefan Dušan's reign On
Easter, 16 April 1346, Stefan Dušan convoked a massive assembly at
Skopje, attended by the Serbian Archbishop
Joanikije II, the
Archbishop of Ochrid Nikolaj I, the
Bulgarian Patriarch Simeon and various religious leaders of
Mount Athos. The
autocephalous Serbian Archbishopric
was raised to the status of a Patriarchate. The
new Patriarch, Joanikije II, now solemnly crowned Dušan as "
Emperor and
autocrat of
Serbs and
Romans (Greeks)". Dušan had his son Uroš V crowned
King, giving him nominal rule over the Serbian lands, and although Dušan ruled the whole state, he had special responsibility for the "Roman", i.e.
Greek lands, in the south. There was a further increase in the Byzantinization of the Serbian court, especially in court ceremonies and
titles. From his new position, Dušan could grant titles only possible for an emperor to grant, such as
despot,
sevastokrator, and
ćesar. Among the
Serbian magnates were: •
despot Simeon Uroš, Dušan's half-brother, duke of Epirus and Acarnania •
despot Jovan Asen, Dušan's brother-in-law, governor in southern Albania •
despot Jovan Oliver, Dušan's close associate,
vojvoda and governor in Ovče Pole and left Vardar •
sevastokrator Dejan, Dušan's brother-in-law, governor of Pčinja •
sevastokrator Branko, Dušan's relative, governor of Ohrid •
ćesar Preljub, Dušan's son-in-law,
vojvoda and governor of Thessaly •
ćesar Vojihna, Dušan's relative,
vojvoda and governor of Drama •
ćesar Grgur, Dušan's relative (son of Branko),
vojvoda and governor of Polog The raising of the Serbian Patriarchate resulted in bishops becoming
metropolitans. According to Stefan Dušan's
charter to Arhiljevica dated 10 August 1354, possessed a large province east of
Skopska Crna Gora. It included the old
župe (counties) of
Žegligovo and
Preševo (modern
Kumanovo region with
Sredorek,
Kozjačija and the larger part of
Pčinja). The granted villages included: village Podlešane with hamlets, village Arhiljevica at the church with hamlets, village
Izvor, village
Ruginci (Ruǵince), selište (arable land) Mokra Poljana (Mokro Polje), village Maistorije, selište Maistorije Krupnici, selište
Prusci (Rusce), selište Vrdun, selište Prvevo, selište
Deikovo (Dejlovce), selište
Vrače (Vračevce), selište Sedlar, selište Mekša and village
Glaže (Glažnja). A total of 9 villages, 9 selište and a few hamlets. The fact that Dejan built Arhiljevica rather than renovated it is evidence of his economic strength. Under Emperor Dušan,
despot Jovan Oliver, with his brother Bogdan and
sevastokrator Dejan, ruled over all of eastern Macedonia. Dejan is not mentioned much in Dušan's military endeavors, although his reputation and that of his successors suggest that he was involved in most of Dušan's successes.
Uroš V's reign Dejan received the title of
despot sometime after August 1355, either from Emperor Dušan, who died on 20 December 1355, or from his heir Uroš V, most likely the latter. This province was located in the very heart of the Balkans, Dejan's daughter
Teodora married
Žarko, the lord of Lower Zeta, in 1356. The peace was concluded on 22 August 1362, in
Onogošt (Nikšić), and the Emperor's charter confirmed the "old laws" and other laws regarding the Ragusans. Dejan and Grgur each received 100 ducats. While Vojislav lived, his influence secured the preeminence of the old Serbian nobility.
S. Mandić said it may have been as early as 1358, and that Vukašin, who until then was
veliki vojvoda, took Dejan's place as despot, and in turn Jovan Uglješa became
veliki vojvoda.
V. Ćorović believed it to have been sometime after the death of Vojislav (1363). S. Mandić also believed that it was unlikely that Dejan took monastic vows before his death, as his children were still young. Dejan built and reconstructed several churches and monasteries throughout his province, including the rebuilding of the Zemen Monastery and the lost
Arhiljevica Church. His two sons
Jovan and
Konstantin later became rulers of his domain. ==Aftermath==