Tsar_of_Bulgaria

Tsar of the Bulgarians
Tsar of the Bulgarians
Царь на Българитѣ
	Standard of the Tsar of Bulgaria (1946)
	Last to reign; Simeon II; 28 August 1943 — 15 September 1946
Details
Style	His Majesty
First monarch	Asparuh (Kanasubigi); Boris I (Prince); Simeon I (Tsar)
Last monarch	Simeon II
Formation	c. 680
Abolition	15 September 1946
Residence	Various historically; Tsarevets (1185–1393); Royal Palace (1882–1946)
Appointer	Variously hereditary or elective
Pretender(s)	Simeon II

List of Bulgarian monarchs

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The monarchs of Bulgaria ruled Bulgaria during the medieval First (c. 680–1018) and Second (1185–1422) Bulgarian empires, as well as during the modern Principality (1879–1908) and Kingdom (1908–1946) of Bulgaria. This list includes monarchs from the establishment of the First Bulgarian Empire until modern times, omitting earlier mythical rulers as well as rulers of separate states such as Old Great Bulgaria and Volga Bulgaria.

Quick Facts Tsar of the Bulgarians, Details ...

Various titles have been used by the rulers of Bulgaria. The earliest recorded title, used before Bulgaria's conversion to Christianity, is kanasubigi, perhaps related to titles such as khan or khagan.^[1] When Bulgaria converted to Christianity in the ninth century, the ruler Boris I (852–889) was using the Slavic title knyaz (prince).^[2] For much of its later history under the first and second empires, Bulgaria functioned as a multi-ethnic imperial state modelled on the neighbouring Byzantine Empire,^[3] which contributed to the adoption of the title of tsar (emperor) by Bulgarian monarchs beginning with Simeon I (893–927) in 913.^[4] Some powerful medieval Bulgarian rulers challenged Byzantine authority by proclaiming themselves as both Bulgarian and Roman emperors.^[5]

When Bulgaria re-emerged as a state in 1878 in the form of the Principality of Bulgaria, the rulers initially used the title knyaz since they were autonomous vassals of the Ottoman Empire and not fully independent.^[6] From Bulgaria's complete independence from the Ottomans in 1908 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1946, Bulgarian monarchs once more used the title tsar,^[7] though this time generally translated internationally as "king" rather than "emperor".^[7]^[8]

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[17] Monarchs with double names are in formal contexts most often recorded with both names. Ivan Asen II (1218–1241) is sometimes recorded merely using his second name (Asen). His sons Kaliman Asen I (1241–1246) and Michael Asen I (1246–1256) are sometimes recorded to only use their first names (Kaliman, Michael). Similarly, George Terter I (1280–1292) is in at least one contemporary source referred to merely as George. In most official documents, Ivan Alexander (1331–1371) and his sons Ivan Sratsimir (1356–1397) and Ivan Shishman (1371–1395) are referred to with their full double names, but in less formal contexts they are sometimes referred to merely by their more characteristic second names (Alexander, Sratsimir, and Shishman).^[16]

[33] "Tsok", a Bulgarian ruler briefly mentioned in a single Byzantine source as persecuting Christian prisoners,^[17] is presumably the same person as Ditzeng.^[31]

[38] Sometimes referred to as Boris-Michael or Michael I given that he was baptized under the name Michael. Boris I however continued after his baptism to most often only use the name "Boris".^[16]

[44] De facto ruled only 969–971 and thereafter in Byzantine captivity, though remained recognized and unchallenged as the legitimate monarch in Bulgaria itself.^[40]

[48] De facto ruled only 977–991 and thereafter in Byzantine captivity,^[43] though remained recognized and unchallenged as the legitimate monarch in Bulgaria itself.^[41]

[53] Sometimes enumerated as Peter II.^[16]

[55] Took the regnal name Peter and is therefore sometimes enumerated as Peter III.^[16]

[59] Enumerated as Peter IV if the rebels Peter Delyan (Peter II) and Constantine Bodin (Peter III) are also counted.^[16]

[61] The House of Asen has in the past sometimes been suggested to have descended from the monarchs of the First Bulgarian Empire given that Kaloyan (1196–1207) was identified by Pope Innocent III (1198–1216) in a letter as descended from them. This is conventionally interpreted as the pope merely recognizing Kaloyan as the legitimate successor (and not a genealogical descendant) of the earlier tsars, in a way common for the time.^[52]

[63] In his formal titulature, Kaloyan referred to himself by the name Kaloyan (rendered in Latin as Calojoannes).^[14] He is additionally counted as "Ivan I" since Ivan (without a double name) was his original name; "Kaloyan" derives from the Greek Kaloïōannēs and is an ornate and flattering nickname meaning "John [Ivan] the Good".^[16]

[64] Often referred to as Michael II Asen, although this is incorrect. This enumeration derives from Boris I (852–889) having been baptized under the name Michael. Boris I however continued to most often merely use "Boris" and the emperors of the Second Bulgarian Empire used the double name Michael Asen (Asen being part of the name and not some other form of qualifier) rather than just "Michael".^[16]

[67] The actual regnal name of this monarch was Constantine Asen, as attested in contemporary Bulgarian documents. The conventional designation "Konstantin Tih" (meaning "Constantine, the son of Tih[omir]") was never used in medieval Bulgaria itself and instead derives from Byzantine sources.^[16]

[68] It is doubtful that Ivaylo was this ruler's real name given that the only medieval source using it (the Svrljig gospels) might instead be informally referring to his successor Ivan Asen III. The only other names applied to him in medieval sources are the Greek nicknames Lakhanas and Kordokoubas, attested in Byzantine sources.^[16]

[71] Sometimes referred to as Ivan IV Smilets, numbered after Ivan Asen I–III (then considered Ivan I–III) and not counting Kaloyan as Ivan I nor counting Ivan Vladislav. The rulers named Ivan Asen however used that name as a double name and are more appropriately numbered as such; Ivan Vladislav also used a double name. The combination Ivan Smilets for this ruler is modern and does not occur in any contemporary sources.^[16]

[75] Many sources erroneously refer to this emperor as Michael III Shishman. His regnal name, attested in both Bulgarian and Byzantine sources, was the double name Michael Asen. The designation "Michael Shishman" (which connects him to his father Shishman of Vidin) is not attested in contemporary sources.^[16]

[80] All known contemporary documents refer to Constantine II merely by the name Constantine. It is possible that he (like Constantine I) used the double name Constantine Asen, especially given that Asen was incorporated into the double names of three of his uncles. None of the surviving documents are from Constantine's chancery and no known seals or charters exist, making it impossible to confirm this hypothesis.^[16]

[87] Enumerated after Ivan Shishman (1371–1395). He is sometimes alternatively referred to as Shishman II,^[68] or (also counting Shishman of Vidin, who did not reign as tsar) as Ivan Shishman III^[69] or Shishman III.^[70]

[91] Alexander I was not the only choice proposed for the first modern Bulgarian monarch. The Russian prince Alexander Mikhailovich Dondukov-Korsakov (1820–1893), who headed the Russian administration in Bulgaria at the time, put himself forth for the position though was rejected. The Congress of Berlin decided that no Russian or Bulgarian should be allowed to become Prince of Bulgaria.^[73] In addition to Alexander, other European royalty considered included Prince Valdemar of Denmark, Prince Henry XXV of Reuss, and Prince Carol of Romania.^[73] Alexander was ultimately selected by the Bulgarian parliament due to having served in the Russo-Turkish War, his close relationship with (and endorsement by) Alexander II of Russia, and his known conservative political stance.^[73]

[99] After the conclusion of World War II, royalists and nationalists began to hail Boris as a "rescuer of the Bulgarian Jews", though scholars consider this a dubious honour.^[80] Under Boris III's regime, thousands of Jews were deported to Germany from Bulgarian-occupied lands in Thrace and Macedonia,^[80] resulting in 11,343 deaths.^[79] It was further intended to also deport the Jews of Bulgaria proper, though the regime abandoned these plans following intense public outcry.^[80] 48,000 Jews of Bulgaria's pre-war territory consequently survived the Holocaust,^[79]^[80] though were subjected to other forms of discrimination, including being forbidden from holding public office,^[77] forcible internal deportation, and dispossession.^[79] Bulgaria was the only country to sign a written agreement "to supply Jews to Germany".^[77] Romani people were also subject to discrimination, being forced to register for forced labor and being barred from marrying Bulgarians.^[77]

[101] Simeon operating as a politician within the Bulgarian republican framework and swearing allegiance to the republic has however been interpreted as effectively rejecting the restitution of the monarchy.^[81]

[102] Omitting earlier monarchs since their family relationships are too uncertain to construct a family tree

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[74]

[75]

[76]

680?–864	Kanasubigi
864–913	Knyaz
913–927	Tsar of the Bulgarians and the Romans
927–1018	Tsar of the Bulgarians
1018–1185	—
1185–1204	Tsar of the Bulgarians
1204–1207	Tsar of the Bulgarians and Vlachs
1207–1230	Tsar of the Bulgarians
1230–1241	Tsar and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks
1241–1340s	Tsar and Autocrat of the Bulgarians
1340s–1395	Tsar and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks
1395–1422	Tsar and Autocrat of the Bulgarians
1422–1879	—
1879–1908	Knyaz of Bulgaria
1908–1946	Tsar of the Bulgarians

Moskov (1988):^[20]	Fine (1991):^[21] (originally 1983)	Treadgold (1997):^[22]	Morby (2014):^[23]	Detrez (2014):^[24]	Curta (2019):^[25]
Asparuh (668–695)	Asparuh (670s–701)	Asparuh (681–c.701)	Asparuh (680–700)	Asparuh (641–701)	Asparuh (681–c.700)
Tervel (695–714)	Tervel (701–718)	Tervel (c.701–c.718)	Tervel (700–721)	Tervel (701–718)	Tervel (c.700–721)
Anonymus (714–715)
Kormesiy (715–721)	Unknown (718–725)		Kormisosh (721–738)	Unknown (718–c.725)	Kormisosh (721–738)
Sevar (721–737)	Sevar (725–739)	Sevar (c.718–750)	Sevar (738–753)	Sevar (c.725–739)	Sevar (738–753/4)
Kormisosh (737–754)	Kormisosh (739–756)	Kormisosh (750–762)		Kormisosh (739–756)
Vineh (754–760)	Vineh (756–c.761)	Vineh and	Vineh (753–760)	Vineh (756–762)	Vineh (753/4–760)
Telets (760–763)	Telets (c.761–c.764)	Telets (762–763)	Telets (760–763)	Telets (762–765)	Telets (760–763)
Sabin (763–765)	Sabin (c.764–767)		Sabin (763–766)	Sabin (765–767)	Sabin (763–766)
Umor (765)	Umor (767)	Umor (763)	Umor (766)	Umor (767)	Umor (766)
Toktu (765–766)	Toktu (767–c.769)	Pagan (763–765)	Toktu (766–767)	Toktu (767–772)	Toktu (766–767)
Pagan (766–767)	Pagan (c.770)	Toktu (765)	Pagan (767–768)	Pagan (772/3)	Pagan (767–768)
Telerig (767–777)	Telerig (c.770–777)	Telerig (765?–777)	Telerig (768–777)	Telerig (772/3–777)	Telerig (768–777)
Kardam (777–803)	Kardam (777–c.803)	Kardam (777?–c.803)	Kardam (777–803)	Kardam (777–802)	Kardam (777–803)

Name	Reign	Succession and notes
Krum Крум	c. 803?–814^[21] (c. 11-17 years)	Possibly a descendant of the Dulo clan.^[26] Krum may have ascended the throne as early as 796/7.^[27] Successful warrior and conqueror; defeated the Avars and incorporated parts of Transylvania and eastern Serbia into Bulgaria. Replaced customary law in Bulgaria with written legislation. Most known for his wars against the Byzantine Empire. In 811 his forces defeated and killed Emperor Nikephoros I at the Battle of Pliska, whereafter the emperor's skull was fashioned into a drinking cup. Died suddenly while preparing a campaign intended to conquer Constantinople.^[2]
Dukum^[18]^[28]^[29] Дукум	possibly 814 (briefly)	Brother of Krum.^[18]^[19] An experienced military commander who played an important role in Krum's military campaigns.^[19] Possibly seized the throne after Krum's death but died almost immediately,^[17]^[19] presumably of natural causes.^[19] Most historians consider Dukum, named only in hagiographical sources, merely a local ruler and not a monarch, with Krum being succeeded directly by his son Omurtag.^[30]
Ditzeng^[18]^[28]^[29]^{[lower-alpha 2]} Диценг	possibly 814–815^[18] (1 year)	Unknown relation;^[19] presumably a brother or nephew of Krum.^[18]^[19] Recorded as persecutor of Christian prisoners.^[17] May have been in ill health at the time of his accession.^[19] Most historians consider Ditzeng, named only in hagiographical sources, merely a local ruler and not a monarch, with Krum being succeeded directly by his son Omurtag.^[32]
Omurtag Омуртаг	814^[33]/815^[18]–831 (16-17 years)	Son of Krum.^[18] May have seized the throne from Ditzeng^[17] or succeeded his father Krum directly.^[34] Signed a 30-year peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire in 815.^[1]^[12] Devoted much of his reign to construction projects. At times aided the Byzantines, such as joining the war against the Byzantine pretender Thomas the Slav.^[12] Solidified the Bulgarian central government.^[35]
Malamir Маламир	831–836 (5 years)	Son of Omurtag.^[18] Malamir was possibly underage throughout his reign and the Bulgarian administration was headed by the regent Isbul. His five-year reign saw renewed conflict and warfare with the Byzantine Empire.^[12] Died of unknown causes, no longer occupying the Bulgarian throne by 836.^[35]
Presian I Пресиян	836–852 (16 years)	Son of Zvinitsa, a son of Omurtag.^[12]^[18] Underage at the time of his accession, the administration was initially headed by the regent Isbul.^[12] Although hostile to the Byzantine Empire, Presian spent the better part of his reign working to expand Bulgaria rather than fighting the Byzantines. His reign saw the Bulgarians push west of the Vardar river for the first time and led to considerable territorial gains in the west.^[35]
Boris I^{[lower-alpha 3]} Борис	852–889 (36 years)	Son of Presian I.^[18] Unsuccessfully warred against Serbia and Croatia.^[36] Under pressure from the Byzantine emperor Michael III,^[36] Boris was responsible for converting Bulgaria to Christianity, he himself being baptized in 864/865.^[36]^[37] Adopted the new ruling title of knyaz (prince) at the time of his conversion.^[2] Defeated a major uprising of pagans against his rule. Abdicated in favour of his son Vladimir in 889 and retired to a monastery, dying in 907.^[36] Considered a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.^[36]
Vladimir Владимир Расате	889–893 (4 years)	Son of Boris I. The Bulgarian nobility revolted against Christianity after Boris's abdication and Vladimir took part in persecuting Christians and destroying churches. Also abandoned relations with the Byzantine Empire. Boris returned from retirement in 893 and deposed, blinded, and imprisoned Vladimir. Boris's other son Simeon was thereafter made ruler.^[36]
Simeon I Симеон	893–927 (34 years)	Son of Boris I.^[18] Made knyaz (prince) after the deposition of Vladimir.^[36] Aspiring to supplant or conquer the Byzantine Empire, Simeon was in 913 the first Bulgarian ruler to assume the title of tsar (emperor) and was recognized as such by the Byzantines.^[9] Fought many wars with the Byzantine Empire, though never succeeded in capturing Constantinople. Extended Bulgarian rule far into Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia but appears to have lost the Bulgarian lands north of the Danube. Proclaimed the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to be independent under its own patriarch.^[38]
Peter I Петър	927–969 (42 years)	Son of Simeon I.^[18] Faced invasions from the Magyars and uprisings by some of his brothers. Otherwise had a relatively peaceful reign; achieved important diplomatic gains from the Byzantines, such as the recognition of his imperial title, the recognition of the Bulgarian church's independence, and an imperial marriage. Abdicated and retired to a monastery in 969 after suffering a stroke.^[39] Considered a saint in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.^[39]
Boris II Борис	969–977^{[lower-alpha 4]} (8 years)	Son of Peter I.^[41] Contended with invasions by the Kievan Rus' and the Byzantine Empire.^[41] The Bulgarian capital of Preslav was captured by the Byzantine Empire in 971, resulting in Boris and his brother Roman being brought to Constantinople as prisoners.^[40]^[42] Power in Bulgaria fell to a group of four nobles, the cometopuli brothers, who upheld the rights of Boris while he was held prisoner.^[41]^[40] The two brothers escaped back to Bulgaria in 977, though Boris was killed during the journey.^[41]
Roman Роман	977–997^{[lower-alpha 5]} (20 years)	Son of Peter I.^[41] Previously held captive by the Byzantines in Constantinople.^[40]^[42] Infrequently mentioned in surviving sources and appears to have been more of a figurehead for the cometopuli than an active ruler.^[35] Captured by the Byzantines again in 991 and died in captivity six years later.^[43]

Image	Name	Reign	Succession and notes
	Samuel Самуил	997–1014 (17 years)	The youngest of the cometopuli, the cons of Count Nicholas. Samuel and his brothers had some relation to the preceding royal dynasty,^[41] possibly being cousins of Boris II and Roman.^[44] One of the primary Bulgarian military leaders from 971 onwards and proclaimed emperor after Roman's death.^[41]^[44] Relatively successful in staving off the Byzantine conquest of the remaining Bulgarian territories. Died of a heart attack brought on by the sight of the thousands of Bulgarian soldiers blinded by the Byzantine emperor Basil II after the Battle of Kleidion.^[40]
	Gavril Radomir Гаврил Радомир	1014–1015 (less than a year)	Son of Samuel. Murdered by his cousin Ivan Vladislav after a reign of less than a year.^[37]
	Ivan Vladislav Иван Владислав	1015–1018 (3 years)	Son of Aron, a brother of Samuel. Led the defense against the Byzantine Empire as Emperor Basil II once more invaded Bulgaria and killed at the Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1018. After his death, the Bulgarian nobility became divided among two parties, one headed by Ivan Vladislav's widow Maria and one headed by his son Presian II. Maria formally surrendered Bulgaria to Basil.^[37]
Bulgaria was conquered by the Byzantine Empire in the Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria (968–1018), resulting in the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire

Name	Reign	Succession and notes
Presian II Пресиян	1018 (less than a year)	Son of Ivan Vladislav. Although most of the Bulgarian aristocracy surrendered to the Byzantine Empire alongside Maria, Presian II and some of his brothers continued to lead a small resistance,^[37]^[47] based around the Tomorr mountain range.^[37] They were eventually also forced to surrender to the Byzantines.^[37]^[47]
Peter Delyan^{[lower-alpha 6]} Петър Делян	1040–1041 (1 year)	Claimed to be a grandson of Gavril Radomir, though his ancestry is unverified. Servant of a Byzantine aristocrat; escaped to Belgrade and proclaimed himself emperor with the support of Bulgarian aristocrats. Fought against the Byzantine Empire for control of Bulgaria until betrayed and blinded by Alusian. Continued to lead some troops until his defeat at the Battle of Ostrovo; later fate unknown.^[48]
Tihomir Тихомир	1040 (less than a year)	Bulgarian military commander in Dyrrhachium. Proclaimed himself emperor after hearing of Peter Delyan's revolt. Deposed and executed after Delyan proved to be more popular among the Bulgarians.^[48]
Alusian Алусиан	1041 (less than a year)	Son of Ivan Vladislav. Governor of one of the Byzantine Empire's Armenian provinces. Travelled to Bulgaria to join Peter Delyan's uprising as a military leader. After relations between the two deteriorated, Alusian betrayed and blinded Delyan and was proclaimed emperor in his stead. Surrendered to the Byzantines after losing a battle.^[48]
Constantine Bodin^{[lower-alpha 7]} Константин Бодин	1072 (less than a year)	Matrilineal great-great-grandson of Samuel^[49] and son of the anti-Byzantine Serbian ruler Mihailo I.^[50] Invited by Bulgarian nobles and acclaimed Bulgarian emperor^[3] during Georgi Voyteh's uprising against the Byzantine Empire.^[50] The uprising was defeated after a few months and Bodin was in Byzantine captivity until 1078.^[51] Later reigned as King of Dioclea 1081–1101.^[51]

Tsar_of_Bulgaria

List of Bulgarian monarchs

Titles

Titles in the First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018)

Titles in the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422)

Titles in modern Bulgaria (1878–1946)

Names and regnal numbers

First Bulgarian Empire (c. 680–1018)

Early Bulgarian rulers (c. 680–803)

House of Krum (803–997)

House of Cometopuli (997–1018)

Pretenders during Byzantine rule (1018–1185)

Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422)

House of Asen (1185–1256)

Successors of the Asenids (1256–1280)

House of Terter (1280–1292, first time)

House of Smilets (1292–1299)

House of Borjigin (1299–1300)

House of Terter (1300–1323, second time)

House of Shishman (1323–1331)

House of Sratsimir (1331–1422)

Pretenders during Ottoman rule (1422–1878)

Principality (1878–1908) and Kingdom of Bulgaria (1908–1946)

House of Battenberg (1879–1886)

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1887–1946)

Family trees

See also

Notes

References

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Tsar of the Bulgarians
Царь на Българитѣ
Standard of the Tsar of Bulgaria (1946)

Last to reign Simeon II 28 August 1943 — 15 September 1946


Details
Style	His Majesty
First monarch	Asparuh (Kanasubigi) Boris I (Prince) Simeon I (Tsar)
Last monarch	Simeon II
Formation	c. 680
Abolition	15 September 1946
Residence	Various historically Tsarevets (1185–1393) Royal Palace (1882–1946)
Appointer	Variously hereditary or elective
Pretender(s)	Simeon II

Name	Reign	Succession and notes
Peter II^{[lower-alpha 8]} Петър	1185–1197 (12 years)	Aristocrat, probably of Vlach origin,^[21]^[52] with no relation to previous monarchs.^[52]^{[lower-alpha 9]} Revolted against the Byzantine Empire alongside his brother Ivan Asen 1185 after being slighted by Emperor Isaac II Angelos. Proclaimed himself Bulgarian emperor in November 1185. After years of fighting, Isaac in 1188 recognized the brothers as rulers of an independent Bulgarian state, though skirmishes continued thereafter. Ivan Asen was later made the senior co-ruler (ruling from Tarnovo), with Peter ruling from Preslav.^[21] Murdered in 1197.^[53]
Ivan Asen I Иван Асен	c. 1188–1196 (c. 8 years)	Brother of Peter II;^[16] co-leader in their revolt against the Byzantine Empire. Made senior co-ruler at some point between 1187 and early 1190.^[21] Murdered in 1196.^[53]
Kaloyan (Ivan I)^[16]^{[lower-alpha 10]} Калоян (Иван)	1196–1207 (9 years)	Brother of Peter II and Ivan Asen I.^[16] Foiled efforts at separatism by some of the nobility and consolidated royal power. Considerably expanded Bulgarian territory through wars with Serbia, Hungary, and the Byzantine Empire. Increased his expansion into Byzantine lands following the collapse of the Byzantine Empire due to the Fourth Crusade (1202–1204). Later fought against the Latin Empire, defeating its first emperor (Baldwin I). Believed to have been murdered.^[2]
Boril Борил	1207–1218 (11 years)	Son of a sister of Peter II, Ivan Asen I and Kaloyan.^[2]^[16] Boril's reign saw unsuccessful wars against Serbia, the Latin Empire, and the competing successor states of the Byzantine Empire, as well as the spread of the Bogomilist sect in Bulgaria. Deposed and blinded by his cousin Ivan Asen II.^[2]
Ivan Asen II Иван Асен	1218–1241 (23 years)	Son of Ivan Asen I.^[16] Overthrew Boril.^[2] Ivan Asen II aspired to make himself the ruler of a joint Bulgarian-Byzantine Empire^[53] and his reign saw the Second Bulgarian Empire reach its greatest extent.^[2] Defeated the Empire of Thessalonica at the Battle of Klokotnitsa (1230), whereafter much of its territory was annexed and Bulgaria became the most powerful state in southeastern Europe.^[50] Re-established the independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church under a patriarch in 1235.^[2]
Kaliman Asen I Калиман Асен	1241–1246 (5 years)	Son of Ivan Asen II.^[16] Underage at the time of his accession. Murdered after a reign of five years.^[12]
Michael Asen I^{[lower-alpha 11]} Мицо Асен	1246–1256 (10 years)	Son of Ivan Asen II.^[16] Underage at the time of his accession.^[12] Ambushed and killed in 1256 by a group of Bulgarian nobles after a treaty in which Michael Asen I returned all of Bulgaria's territorial gains in former Byzantine territory to the Empire of Nicaea.^[54]
Kaliman Asen II Калиман Асен	1256 (less than a year)	Grandson of Ivan Asen I.^[16] Proclaimed emperor after Michael Asen I's death.^[54] Married his predecessor's widow but was ineffective at maintaining power^[16] and died within a year.^[54] His death extinguished the male line of the House of Asen.^[54]

Name	Reign	Succession and notes
Mitso Asen Мицо Асен	1256–1263 (7 years)	Husband of Maria Asenina, a daughter of Ivan Asen II.^[16] Proclaimed emperor in southeastern Bulgaria either in opposition to Kaliman Asen II^[12] or after his death. Unclear if he ever gained control of the capital of Tarnovo,^[55] though he may have held it briefly^[54] in 1256–1257.^[16] Later established himself in the lands surrounding Mesembria. Gave Mesembria to the Byzantine Empire in 1263 after attacks by Constantine I Tih, in return being allowed to live out his life in exile in Anatolia.^[55]
Rostislav Mikhailovich Ростислав Михайлович (Pretender in Vidin)	1257–1262 (5 years)	Father-in-law of Michael Asen I and Kaliman Asen II.^[54] Invaded Bulgaria, though was unable to take the capital of Tarnovo. Occupied Vidin and governed the surrounding area as self-proclaimed Bulgarian emperor, supported by the Kingdom of Hungary.^[54] Left landless after an attack by Constantine I Tih in 1260, though restored with Hungarian aid in 1261, claiming the same title again until his death in 1262.^[55]
Constantine I Tih^{[lower-alpha 12]} Константин Асен	1257–1277 (20 years)	Elected emperor in Tarnovo in 1257 by the Bulgarian nobility, in opposition to both Mitso Asen and Rostislav. Married Irene Doukaina Laskarina, a granddaughter of Ivan Asen II, in order to boost his legitimacy.^[54] Ultimately victorious in the civil wars of the 1250s and 1260s.^[54] Later remarried to Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene, a niece of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos.^[16] Defeated and killed in battle by the peasant rebel Ivaylo.^[16]^[52]
Jacob Svetoslav Яков Светослав (Pretender in Vidin)	1266–c. 1273 (c. 7 years)	Noble of princely Russian origin.^[55] Initially loyal to Constantine I Tih, fighting on his side with the title of despot in the wars against Hungary (1261) and the Byzantine Empire (1262–1263). Came in possession of Vidin c. 1263 and gradually fell under Hungarian suzerainty. Referred to as "Bulgarian emperor" in Hungarian documents from 1266 onwards. Asserted his independence from Hungary c. 1273 and re-aligned himself with Constantine again; adopted as a second son by Constantine's wife (making him second-in-line to the throne) but later poisoned by her c. 1275.^[55]
Michael Asen II Михаил Асен	1277–1279 (2 years)	Son of Constantine I; previously junior co-emperor c. 1272–1277.^[16] Underage at the time of his accession, his mother Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene ruled as regent.^[16] In 1278 made co-ruler with Ivaylo, who married Maria.^[16] Deposed by the Byzantine-supported Ivan Asen III and sent as a captive to Constantinople.^[52]
"Ivaylo"^{[lower-alpha 13]} Ивайло	1278–1279 (1 year)	An illiterate swineherd^[52] who became leader of a peasant uprising and seized control of much of Bulgaria. Became a legitimate monarch through marriage with Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene, Michael Asen II's mother,^[16]^[52] who married him on the condition that Michael Asen II's rights continued to be respected.^[52] Escaped to the Golden Horde in exile after Ivan Asen III took control of Bulgaria. Killed by Nogai Khan after requests from the Byzantines.^[56]
Ivan Asen III Иван Асен	1279–1280 (1 year)	Son of Mitso Asen.^[16] Supported as puppet emperor of Bulgaria by the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, against Ivaylo and Michael Asen II. Took control of Bulgaria with the help of the Byzantine army.^[52] Fled to the Byzantine Empire after a brief reign due to fearing the ambitions of the aristocrat George Terter, whereafter the Bulgarians proclaimed George Terter emperor in his stead.^[16]

Image	Name	Reign	Succession and notes
	Smilets Смилец	1292–1298 (6 years)	Member of a prominent Bulgarian noble family^[52] though without known connections to previous Bulgarian royalty.^[16] Husband of Smiltsena Palaiologina, a niece of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos.^[16] Made emperor of Bulgaria (as a puppet ruler) by Nogai Khan of the Golden Horde.^[57]^[52]
	Ivan II^{[lower-alpha 14]} Иван	1298–1299 (1 year)	Son of Smilets.^[16] Underage at the time of his accession, Ivan II briefly succeeded his father before being deposed after Chaka's invasion of Bulgaria.^[57] Later lived out his life in exile in the Byzantine Empire.^[58] Due to the small number of sources (two documents) some historians have disputed whether Ivan II actually reigned.^[58]

Image	Name	Reign	Succession and notes
	Theodore Svetoslav Тодор Светослав	1300–1322 (22 years)	Son of George Terter I; possibly previously junior co-emperor c. 1285–1292.^[16] Overthrew and strangled Chaka, with support from Toqta of the Golden Horde.^[57]^[52] Ended the period of Mongol dominion over Bulgaria^[50] and waged wars against both the Byzantine Empire and various autonomous Bulgarian nobles.^[60] Mostly successful;^[60] succeeding in reconsolidating the empire.^[50]
	George Terter II Георги Тертер	1322–1323 (1 year)	Son of Theodore Svetoslav; possibly previously junior co-emperor c. 1321–1322.^[16] Intervened in the Byzantine civil war of 1321–1328^[31] and spent much of his brief reign warring with the Byzantines, for instance recapturing Plovdiv.^[55] His death marked the extinction of the direct Terter line.^[55]

Image	Name	Reign	Succession and notes
	Michael Asen III^{[lower-alpha 15]} Михаил Асен	1323–1330 (7 years)	Matrilineal great-grandson of Ivan Asen II.^[16] Previously semi-independent despot of Vidin. Elected as emperor by the Bulgarian nobility after George Terter II's death due to being considered the strongest local candidate. Retook some territory that had been lost to the Byzantines during the brief interregnum before his election.^[55]
	Ivan Stephen Иван Стефан	1330–1331 (1 year)	Son of Michael Asen III; possibly previously junior co-emperor c. 1323–1324, but this is doubted.^[16]^[61] Deposed after a brief reign in favour of his cousin Ivan Alexander in a coup d'état headed by elements of the Bulgarian nobility. After his deposition, Ivan Stephen fled to Serbia and then to the Byzantine Empire.^[55]

Image	Name	Reign	Succession and notes
	Ivan Alexander Иван Александър	1331–1371 (40 years)	Son of Keratsa Petritsa, a sister of Michael Asen III.^[16] Proclaimed emperor following a coup d'état headed by elements of the Bulgarian nobility.^[55] Allied with Stefan Dušan of the Serbian Empire, who was eclipsing Bulgaria's power. Managed to capture some territories from the Byzantine Empire.^[55] Divided the empire among his sons to avoid succession problems, leading to Bulgaria's fragmentation. Allied with the Ottoman Turks against the Byzantines, inadvertently accelerating the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.^[2]
	Michael Asen IV^[16] Михаил Асен (Junior co-ruler)	Never ruled in his own right	Eldest^[62] son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor c. 1332–1355.^[16] Led an army in the defense against an Ottoman invasion in 1354–1355, during which he was killed in battle near Sofia.^[62]
	Ivan Asen IV^[16] Иван Асен (Junior co-ruler)	Never ruled in his own right	Son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor c. 1337–1349.^[16] Led an army in the defense against an Ottoman invasion in 1349, during which he was killed in battle near Sofia.^[62]
	Ivan Sratsimir Иван Срацимир (Ruling in Vidin)	1356–c. 1397 (c. 41 years)	Son of Ivan Alexander; previously junior co-emperor c. 1337–1356.^[16] Granted Vidin and the surrounding lands by his father as autonomous emperor while his younger brother Ivan Shishman inherited Tarnovo.^[2] Immediately tried to take control of all of Bulgaria after his father's death, though was defeated by Ivan Shishman.^[55] The Vidin empire was largely conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1396/1397 and Ivan Sratsimir was deposed and taken prisoner.^[2]^[41]
	Ivan Shishman Иван Шишман (Ruling in Tarnovo)	1371–1395 (24 years)	Son of Ivan Alexander; previously junior co-emperor c. 1356–1371.^[16] Made the heir to Tarnovo over the elder Ivan Sratsimir due to the influence of his mother Sarah-Theodora. Fought off Ivan Sratsimir's attempt at capturing Tarnovo.^[55] Made a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. Tried to gain Hungarian aid to reassert his independence, which led to the Ottomans invading his lands. Tarnovo and most of Bulgaria was captured in 1393,^[55] followed by Nikopol and Ivan Shishman's other remaining territory in 1395. Allegedly murdered by the Ottomans after the capture of Nikopol.^[63]
	Ivan Asen V^[16] Иван Асен (Junior co-ruler)	Never ruled in his own right	Son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor 1356–c. 1388.^[16] Recorded to have presided over church synods at Tarnovo (1360) together with his father and Ivan Shishman.^[64]
Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the Bulgarian–Ottoman wars (1345–1396), resulting in the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire
	Constantine II Константин^{[lower-alpha 16]} (Ruling in Vidin)	c. 1397–1422 (c. 25 years)	Son of Ivan Sratsimir; previously junior co-emperor c. 1395–1397.^[16] Remained in control of at least some parts of his father's domains around Vidin,^[16] probably initially as an Ottoman vassal,^[41] for most of the time until his death in 1422.^[16]

Name	Reign	Succession and notes
Fruzhin Фружин	1422–1460 (38 years)	Son of Ivan Shishman. Fled to Hungary after the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire, where he was made the ruler of the County of Temes. His titular claim to the Bulgarian throne was recognized by the Hungarian king Sigismund (1387–1437).^[67] Fruzhin was counted as emperor in some later Bulgarian sources.^[12]
Ivan Shishman II^{[lower-alpha 17]} Иван Шишман	1598 (less than a year)	Allegedly a descendant of the House of Sratsimir.^[71] Proclaimed tsar during the First Tarnovo Uprising (1598)^[69]^[71] and briefly ruled at Tarnovo.^[69] The first attempt at mass liberation in Bulgaria, this uprising was eventually crushed by the Ottomans.^[71]
Rostislav Stratimirovic Ростислав Стратимирович	1686 (less than a year)	Allegedly a descendant of the House of Sratsimir. Proclaimed knyaz (prince) during the Second Tarnovo Uprising (1686). Hoped to gain support from the Tsardom of Russia, though the uprising began prematurely and was crushed by the Ottomans.^[31]^[72]

Name	Reign	Succession and notes
Ferdinand I Фердинанд I	7 July 1887 – 3 October 1918 (31 years and 87 days)	Chosen as knyaz (prince)^[75] after Prince Valdemar of Denmark declined the throne after being approached.^[76] Secured Bulgaria's complete independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908, whereafter he adopted the style of tsar (king). Leading figure in the First Balkan War (1912–1913) though Bulgaria's actions after victory led to the Second Balkan War (1913) which deprived the country of most of its gains. Aligned with the German Empire in World War I (1914–1918) and was forced to abdicate after the war's conclusion.^[75]
Boris III Борѝс III	3 October 1918 – 28 August 1943 (24 years and 330 days)	Son of Ferdinand I. Succeeded to the throne after his father's abdication.^[75] Bestowed near-dictatorial powers by a pro-monarchical regime in 1935.^[77] Aligned with Nazi Germany during World War II (1939–1945),^[75]^[78] mainly out of a desire to increase Bulgarian territory.^[78] Bulgaria participated in the invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece,^[77] though Boris refused to send Bulgarian soldiers to aid the German invasion of Russia.^[75] His government oversaw the Holocaust in Bulgaria.^[77]^[79]^[80]^{[lower-alpha 19]} Died in mysterious circumstances shortly after a visit to Adolf Hitler.^[75]
Simeon II Симеон II	28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946 (3 years and 17 days)	Son of Boris III. Underage at the time of his accession and thus placed under a regency for the entire duration of his reign, until the Bulgarian monarchy was abolished^[75] through a referendum^[81] by Georgi Dimitrov's communist government. Went to exile in Spain and later returned to Bulgaria as a politician.^[75] Has never formally renounced his claim to the throne.^[81]^{[lower-alpha 20]} Simeon's party NDSV was victorious in the 2001 Bulgarian parliamentary election and Simeon served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria 2001–2005.^[75]