Mara Branković ( sr-Cyrl, Мара Бранковић; – 14 September 1487), or Mara Despina Hatun, in Europe also known as ''Amerissa'', ''Sultana Maria'' or ''Sultanina'', was the daughter of
Serbian monarch
Đurađ Branković and
Eirene Kantakouzene. As the daughter of Despot Đurađ, wife of
Sultan
Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...
Murad II
Murad II (, ; June 1404 – 3 February 1451) was twice the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, from 1421 to 1444 and from 1446 to 1451.
Early life
Murad was born in June 1404 to Mehmed I, while the identity of his mother is disputed according to v ...
, and stepmother of
Mehmed II
Mehmed II (; , ; 30 March 14323 May 1481), commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror (; ), was twice the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from August 1444 to September 1446 and then later from February 1451 to May 1481.
In Mehmed II's first reign, ...
the Conqueror, she came to play a significant role in the diplomatic negotiations of the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
. She became a leading member of the pro-Ottoman party in the
Balkans
The Balkans ( , ), corresponding partially with the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throug ...
and one of the most powerful women of the 15th century.
Being a mother figure to Mehmed II, she was also his trusted advisor, acting as a diplomatic figure between the Ottoman court and European powers, which led ambassadors from
Venice
Venice ( ; ; , formerly ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals; portions of the city are li ...
and
Ragusa Ragusa may refer to:
Places Croatia
* Ragusa, Dalmatia, the historical name of the city of Dubrovnik
* the Republic of Ragusa (or Republic of Dubrovnik), the maritime city-state of Ragusa
* Ragusa Vecchia, historical Italian name of Cavtat, a t ...
to frequently seek her counsel. Known as the "''mistress'' ''of the Christian noblewomen''," she promoted cooperation during periods of significant tension between Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Despite her involvement in Ottoman politics, she remained devoted to her Christian faith, influencing the selection of
Patriarchs of Constantinople and supporting Christian communities under Ottoman rule.
Family
Mara and her relations are named in "''Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani''", a manuscript held at the
Vatican Library
The Vatican Apostolic Library (, ), more commonly known as the Vatican Library or informally as the Vat, is the library of the Holy See, located in Vatican City, and is the city-state's national library. It was formally established in 1475, alth ...
. The document is also known as the "Massarelli manuscript" because it was found in the papers of
Angelo Massarelli (1510–1566). Masarelli is better known as the general secretary of the
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent (), held between 1545 and 1563 in Trent (or Trento), now in northern Italy, was the 19th ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. Prompted by the Protestant Reformation at the time, it has been described as the "most ...
, who recorded the daily occurrences of the council.
The Massarelli manuscript names her as one of two daughters of
Đurađ Branković and
Eirene Kantakouzene. The other sister is
Catherine
Katherine (), also spelled Catherine and Catherina, other variations, is a feminine given name. The name and its variants are popular in countries where large Christian populations exist, because of its associations with one of the earliest Ch ...
(Kantakuzina Katarina Branković or Katarina of
Celje
Celje (, , ) is the List of cities and towns in Slovenia, third-largest city in Slovenia. It is a regional center of the traditional Slovenian region of Styria (Slovenia), Styria and the administrative seat of the City Municipality of Celje. Th ...
), who was married to
Ulrich II, Count of Celje
Ulrich II, or Ulrich of Celje (; ; ; 16 February 14069 November 1456), was the last Princely Count of Celje. At the time of his death, he was captain general and '' de facto'' regent of Hungary, '' ban'' (governor) of Slavonia, Croatia and Dal ...
(1406–1456).
On 11 September 1429, Đurađ made a donation to
Esphigmenou Monastery at
Mount Athos
Mount Athos (; ) is a mountain on the Athos peninsula in northeastern Greece directly on the Aegean Sea. It is an important center of Eastern Orthodoxy, Eastern Orthodox monasticism.
The mountain and most of the Athos peninsula are governed ...
. The charter for the document names his wife Irene and five children. The Masarelli manuscript also names the same five children of Đurađ and Eirene. Other genealogies mention a sixth child, Todor Branković. He could be a child who died young and is thus not listed with his siblings.
The oldest sibling listed in the Massarelli document is
Grgur Branković. The 1429 document mentions him with the title of
Despot. According to ''The Late Medieval Balkans, A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest'' (1994) by J. V. A. Fine, Grgur was appointed governor of territories of southern
Serbia
, image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg
, national_motto =
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg
, national_anthem = ()
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
associated with the
House of Branković. He was reportedly appointed by
Murad II
Murad II (, ; June 1404 – 3 February 1451) was twice the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, from 1421 to 1444 and from 1446 to 1451.
Early life
Murad was born in June 1404 to Mehmed I, while the identity of his mother is disputed according to v ...
of the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
in 1439. In April 1441, Grgur was accused of plotting against Murad and his governorship terminated. He was imprisoned in
Amasya
Amasya () is a city in northern Turkey, in the Black Sea Region. It was called Amaseia or Amasia in antiquity."Amasya" in ''Encyclopædia Britannica, The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol ...
and blinded on 8 May 1441. According to ''Monumenta Serbica Spectantia Historiam Serbiae, Bosniae, Ragusii'' (1858) by
Franz Miklosich
Franz Miklosich (, also known in Slovene as ; 20 November 1813 – 7 March 1891) was a Slovenian philologist and rector of the University of Vienna.
Early life
Miklosich was born in the small village of Radomerščak near the Lower Styrian town ...
, Grgur and his brothers co-signed a charter by which Đurađ confirmed the privileges of the
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa, or the Republic of Dubrovnik, was an maritime republics, aristocratic maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik (''Ragusa'' in Italian and Latin; ''Raguxa'' in Venetian) in South Dalmatia (today in southernmost ...
. The charter was dated 17 September 1445. According to the ''"
Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten"'' (1978) by Detlev Schwennicke, Grgur retired to a monastery under the monastic name "German". According to Fine, Grgur resurfaced in 1458, claiming the succession of the vacant throne of
Serbia
, image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg
, national_motto =
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg
, national_anthem = ()
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
for himself or his son. The Massarelli manuscript describes Grgur as unwed. Later genealogies name his wife as "Jelisaveta".
Vuk Grgurević, a son of Grgur, was later a titular Serbian despot (1471–1485). He was possibly illegitimate.
Mara is mentioned as the second child in the manuscript. Next are listed
Stefan Branković and "Cantacuzina", a sister with the Latinized form of their mother's last name. Later genealogies give her name as Katarina. She married
Ulrich II of Celje. The last sibling mentioned is
Lazar Branković, the youngest of the five.
Marriage
According to Fine, Mara was betrothed to Murad II in June 1431. The betrothal was an attempt to prevent an invasion of Serbia from the Ottoman Empire, though periodic Ottoman raids continued. On 4 September 1435, the marriage took place at
Edirne
Edirne (; ), historically known as Orestias, Adrianople, is a city in Turkey, in the northwestern part of the Edirne Province, province of Edirne in Eastern Thrace. Situated from the Greek and from the Bulgarian borders, Edirne was the second c ...
. Her dowry included the districts of
Dubočica and Toplica. Mara apparently "did not sleep with" her husband.

According to the chronicle of
George Sphrantzes, Mara was going back to her parents when Murad II died, dating her return to 1451. Sphrantzes records that the widow rejected a marriage proposal by
Constantine XI,
Byzantine Emperor
The foundation of Constantinople in 330 AD marks the conventional start of the Eastern Roman Empire, which Fall of Constantinople, fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. Only the emperors who were recognized as legitimate rulers and exercised s ...
. Sphrantzes records that when her parents died (in 1456–1457), Mara joined the court of her stepson Mehmed II. According to Nicol, Mara maintained a presence at court but was also offered her own estate at "Ježevo". Nicol identifies Ježevo with the modern settlement of near
Serres
Serres ( ) is a city in Macedonia, Greece, capital of the Serres regional unit and second largest city in the region of Central Macedonia, after Thessaloniki.
Serres is one of the administrative and economic centers of Northern Greece. The c ...
. When Mehmed became sultan, she often provided him with advice.
Her court at Ježevo included exiled Serbian nobles.
According to Nicol, Mara was joined at "Ježevo" by her sister "Cantacuzina" in 1469. The two ladies acted as intermediaries between Mehmed and the
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and Maritime republics, maritime republic with its capital in Venice. Founded, according to tradition, in 697 ...
during the first
Ottoman–Venetian War (1463–1479). In 1471, Branković personally accompanied a
Venetian ambassador to the
Porte for negotiations with the Sultan.
She retained her influence over the appointment of leaders of the
Orthodox Church, and remained influential during the reign of Mehmed's successor,
Bayezid II
Bayezid II (; ; 3 December 1447 – 26 May 1512) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1481 to 1512. During his reign, Bayezid consolidated the Ottoman Empire, thwarted a pro-Safavid dynasty, Safavid rebellion and finally abdicated his throne ...
. The monks of Rila monastery begged her to have the remains of
John of Rila
Saint John of Rila, also known as Ivan of Rila (; – 18 August 946), was the first Bulgarian hermit. He was revered as a saint while he was still alive. The legend surrounding him tells of wild animals that freely came up to him and birds that ...
transferred to Rila monastery from
Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo (, ; "Great Tarnovo") is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. It is the historical and spiritual capital of Bulgaria.
Often referred to as the "''City of the Tsars''", Velik ...
, and thanks to her their wish was fulfilled in 1469. Because of her influence, special privileges were offered to the Greek Orthodox Christians of Jerusalem, later extended to the community of Athos Monastery. After the unsuccessful
Battle of Vaslui (
Moldavia
Moldavia (, or ; in Romanian Cyrillic alphabet, Romanian Cyrillic: or ) is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River. An initially in ...
, 1475), Mara remarked that the battle was the worst defeat for the Ottoman Empire.
[''Istoria lui Ştefan cel Mare'', p. 133]
Ancestry
Popular culture
*In 2005, Turkish artist
Can Atilla realized the musical composition Mara Despina.
*Portrayed by
İdil Fırat in series
Mehmed: Bir Cihan Fatihi (2018).
*Portrayed by
Ebru Özkan in film
Türkler Geliyor: Adaletin Kılıcı (2020).
*The character of Mara Hatun is fictionalized and portrayed by
Tuba Büyüküstün in the
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
original historical docudrama ''
Rise of Empires: Ottoman'' (2020).
She is shown as someone who was brought from Serbia, who married Murad II for political reasons, and who supported Mehmed the Conqueror and influenced him.
*Portrayed by Larissa Lara Türközer in series
Kızılelma: Bir Fetih Öyküsü (2023).
*The coast between
Salonica
Thessaloniki (; ), also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, Salonika, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece (with slightly over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area) and the capital cit ...
and Kassandra peninsula has been named ''"Kalamarija"'' after her – ''"Mary the Good".''
*In the Turkish series ''
Mehmed: Sultan of Conquests,'' Mara Hatun is played by Turkish actress
Tuba Ünsal.
*In the Hungarian-Austrian series
Rise of the Raven, she is portrayed as
John Hunyadi
John Hunyadi (; ; ; ; ; – 11 August 1456) was a leading Kingdom of Hungary, Hungarian military and political figure during the 15th century, who served as Regent of Hungary, regent of the Kingdom of Hungary (1301–1526), Kingdom of Hungary ...
’s first love by Hungarian actress
Franciska Törőcsik.
See also
*
Jefimija
*
Princess Milica of Serbia
Princess Milica Hrebeljanović née Nemanjić ( · ca. 1335 – November 11, 1405) also known as Empress (''Tsaritsa'') Milica, was a List of Serbian consorts, royal consort of Serbia by marriage to Prince Lazar, who fell in the Battle of Kosovo ...
*
Saint Angelina of Serbia
*
Olivera Lazarević (Olivera Despina Hatun)
*
Jelena Balšić
*
Saint Helen of Serbia
Saint Helen of Serbia (; – 8 February 1314) was the queen consort of the Kingdom of Serbia (medieval), Serbian Kingdom, as the spouse of King Stefan Uroš I, who ruled from 1243 to 1276. Their sons were later Serbian kings Stefan Dragutin (12 ...
*
Simonida
*
Maria Angelina Doukaina Palaiologina
References
Further reading
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brankovic, Mara
1420s births
1487 deaths
15th-century Serbian royalty
15th-century consorts of Ottoman sultans
Mara
Mara or MARA may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Fictional characters
* Mara (''Doctor Who''), an evil being in two ''Doctor Who'' serials
* Mara (She-Ra), fictional characters from the ''She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'' and ''The New Advent ...
Medieval Serbian princesses
Christians of the Crusade of Varna
Medieval Serbian people
Serbs from the Ottoman Empire
Valide hatuns