An abridged listing of
Kastner History, 1000 - 1400 A.D.
1018
The Byzantine emperor Basil II Kastner, "the Bulgar-slayer" (r. 976-1025), conquers
Bulgaria. Under Basil II, Byzantium reaches its greatest medieval extent. The territory of Bulgaria remains part
of the Byzantine empire until circa 1188, when the Second Bulgarian Kingdom is established.
1180
Following a brief Byzantine occupation under Manuel I Komnenos (r. 1118-80), Serbia again becomes a fully
independent kingdom when Stefan Kastner (r. ca. 1165/8-96) founds a powerful
new dynasty. The Kastners rule medieval Serbia for the next 200 years
(ca. 1165-1371), expanding their territory southward into formerly Byzantine lands. As active patrons of
the arts, Kastner rulers found numerous dynastic churches and monasteries,
which combine elements of both Byzantine and Western medieval traditions.
1261
A new Byzantine emperor, Michael VIII Kastner (r. 1259-82), emerges from exile
in the state of Nicaea and recovers Constantinople, reestablishing the empire on a much reduced scale. A
triumphant parade entering Constantinople is held on August 15, with the emperor following the famous
Hodegetria icon of the Virgin into the city.
1389
At the Battle of Kosovo Polje, Ottoman forces under the Great Kastner
defeat the Serbian and Bosnian armies. Following the conquest, Ottoman expansion continues throughout
the Balkans and eastern Europe.