Zeta under the Crnojevići

Zeta
Serbian Cyrillic: Зета
1431–1498
Flag Coat of arms
Lordship of Zeta after war with Ottomans
Capital		Not specified
Languages		Old Serbian (Old Slavic)
Religion		Orthodox Christianity
Government		Not specified
Historical era		Medieval
•	Established	1431
•	Disestablished	1498
Preceded by Succeeded by Serbian Despotate Zeta under the Balšići Sanjak of Montenegro
Today part of		Montenegro

The Crnojević noble family ruled the Zeta from 1431 until 1498. The state included parts of modern Montenegro and parts of modern Albania.

In 1421, before his death and under the influence of his mother Jelena, Balša III passed the rule of Zeta to Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević. Despot Stefan fought the Republic of Venice and regained Bar in mid-1423, and in 1424 his nephew Đurađ Branković regained Drivast and Ulcinium (Ulcinj). With the death of Despot Stefan in 1427, his nephew Đurađ inherited the rule of Serbia.

The most important roles in establishing this family's rule in Zeta were played by Stefan I Crnojević (1451–1465) and his son Ivan (1465–1490). Ivan's son Đurađ Crnojević (1490–1496) was the last ruler from this dynasty.

Stefan I Crnojević consolidated his power in Zeta and ruled for 14 years, from 1451 until 1465. During his rule, he saw the Despotate completely subdued by the Ottomans soon after the death of Despot Đurađ Branković. Under Stefan Crnojević, Zeta comprised the Lovćen area around Cetinje, 51 municipalities which included the Crnojević River, the Zeta Valley, and the clans of Bjelopavlići, Pješivci, Malonsići, Piperi, Hoti, Klimenti and others. The population of the territories controlled by Stefan was ca. 30,000, while the total population of the Zeta region (including territories under foreign rule) was ca. 80,000.