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Group: Vidin, Tsardom of
People: David Thompson
Topic: Orléans, Siege of
Location: Ahlât Bitlis Turkey

Vidin, Tsardom of

Years: 1356 - 1396

The Tsardom of Vidin is a medieval Bulgarian state centered in the town of Vidin.

In 1257 the local lord Rostislav Mikhailovich was crowned as Tsar of Bulgaria in Tarnovo, but soon withdrew to Vidin.

In 1356, Bulgarian tsar Ivan Alexander isolates Vidin from the Bulgarian monarchy and appoints his son Ivan Stratsimir (1356–1396) as absolute ruler of the domain of Vidin.In 1365, the state is occupied by Hungarian crusaders, but the occupation is short-lived.

In 1369, a Bulgarian and Wallachian campaign drives out the Hungarian military, then in 1393 the whole of Bulgaria, along with the rest of the surrounding region, falls to the Ottoman Empire.

This brings an end to Bulgaria's medieval state empire.

Vidin is now the only region controlled by the indigenous Bulgarian population and not the invading Ottoman Turks.The Ottomans go on to conquer the despotates of Dobruja, Prilep and Velbazhd as well.

Vidin's independence does not last long.

In 1396, Stratsimir contributes soldiers to assist the Christian nations' bid to overturn the Ottoman Empire.

Following defeat at the hands of the Ottomans outside the city of Nicopolis, Vidin finally falls under the sphere of the Ottomans led by Bayezid I.