Branković dynasty


The Branković is a Serbian medieval noble family and dynasty. According to genealogies created in the first half of the 15th century, the family descend via female line through marriage from the Nemanjić dynasty. The family rose to prominence during the fall of the Serbian Empire. The original family domains were centred on Kosovo. Later family members extended their rule over all remaining unconquered regions of Serbia making them the last sovereign rulers of medieval Serbian state. The dynasty ruled the Serbian Despotate from 1427 to 1459, and their descendants continue to claim the throne of the Despotate Serbia, some having entered the ranks of the Hungarian aristocracy, while other descendants of the dynasty continue to go by a courtesy title.
Some members of the family adopted the name "Branović" in order to avoid political prosecution.
Members of the family intermarried with other noble houses from neighbouring countries including Austrian and Hungarian nobility, and provided at least one wife to Ottoman Sultan.
Some of the family members were:

Predecessors