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Stefan Uroš II Milutin (born aroun 1253-died in 1321 ), was a king of Serbia (reigned 1282 –1321), and member of Nemanjić Dynasty . He was the youngest son of King Stefan Uroš I and his wife, Queen Jelena I of Anjou. Unexpectedly he became king of Serbia after abdication of his brother Stefan Dragutin . He was around 29. Immediately upon his rise to throne he attacked Byzantine lands in Macedonia. In 1282 he conquered northern parts of Macedonia with the city of Skoplje, wnich became his capital. Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus began preparations for the war but he died before their completion. Next year Milutin advanced with his brother deep in Byzantine teritory all the way to Kavala . In 1294 Milutin also gain control in northern Albania and city of Dyrrachion, today Durrës . For the next 15 years there were no changes in the war. The peace was concluded in 1299 when Milutin kept conquered lands as dowry of Simonida, daughter of emperor Andronicus II Palaeologus . Around 1287 or 1288 Milutin helped his brother Stefan Dragutin to pacify two Bulgarian nobles in today's north-east Serbia, in Branicevo region. But those nobles were vassals of Bulgarian prince of Vidin Michael Shishman who sought revenge. Michael attacked Milutin but was defeated and Milutin in return sacked his capital Vidin . But Shishman was vassal of Nogai Khan , Khan of Golden Horde . Nogai Khan threaten to punish Milutin for his insolence, but changed his mind when Serbian king sent him gifts and hostages. Aming the hostages was his son Stefan Dečanski who managed to escape back to Serbia after Nogai Khan 's death in 1299. Disputes began between Milutin and Dragutin after peace treaty with Byzantine empire was signed in 1299. Dragutin in the meantime held lands from Braničevo in the east to Bosna river in the West. His capital was Belgrade , for the first time in Serbian history. The war broke between the brothers and lasted, with sporadic cease-fire, until Dragutin's death in 1314. During this war Milutin apointed Stefan Dečanski as regent in Zeta, modern Montenegro . This meant that Stefan Dečanski was to be heir to the throne in Serbia and not Dragutin's son Vladislav II. Upon Stefan Dragutin 's death in 1314 Milutin conquered most of his lands including Belgrade . But in the 1319 Charles I Of Hungary regained control over Belgrade and banovina Mačva while Milutin held control in Braničevo. In the year of 1314 Milutin's son Stefan Dečanski rebeled against his father, but was captured, blinded and sent to exile in Constantinople . For the rest of Milutin's reign his youngest son Stefan Constantine was considered a heir to the throne. But in spring 1321 Stefan Dečanski returned to Serbia and was pardoned by his father. At the end of Milutin's life many things changed in Serbia. Serbia was one of the strongest countries in the south-eastern Europe except Hungary. During his reign many court ceremonials were taken over from Byzantine court and Byzantine culture overflow Serbia. Milutin was also well known as founder of many monasteries: Gračanica Monastery , Our Lady Of Ljeviš , Church of Vavedenje in Hilandar and many more. After his death a short civil war followed, after wnich Serbian throne was succeeded by his eldest son, Stefan Dečanski .
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