Stefan Lazarević
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Stefan Lazarević, also known as Stefan the Tall, was a Serbian ruler as prince (1389–1402) and despot (1402–1427). He was also a diplomat, legislator, ktetor, patron of the arts, poet and one of the founding members of the Order of the Dragon. The son of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, he was regarded as one of the finest knights and military leaders of his time. After the death of his father at Kosovo (1389), he became ruler of Moravian Serbia and ruled with his mother Milica, until he reached adulthood in 1393. Stefan led troops in several battles as an Ottoman vassal, until asserting independence after receiving the title of despot from the Byzantines in 1402.
Fresco of Stefan Lazarević from Manasija monastery
Remains of Donjon Tower of the Kruševac Fortress, the capital of lands of the House of Lazarević, where he was born Prince Stefan Lazarević.
Monument to Stefan Lazarević in Kruševac.
Iron Gates.
Despot (court title)
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Despot or despotes was a senior Byzantine court title that was bestowed on the sons or sons-in-law of reigning emperors, and initially denoted the heir-apparent of the Byzantine emperor.
Empress Eudokia Ingerina with her sons Leo VI (left) and Alexander (right), both called despotes (ΔECΠOTHC)
Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos with his family: empress Helena Dragaš (right), and three of their sons, the co-emperor John VIII and the despots Andronikos and Theodore
Lead seal of Constantine Palaiologos, showing him in imperial regalia, and mentioning his titles of despot and porphyrogennetos