On This Day

Battle of Velbuzd: Serbian forces defeat Bulgarian army

The Battle of Velbazhd was fought by the Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1330, near the town of Velbazhd (present day Kyustendil). The growing power of the Serbian Kingdom from...

The Battle of Velbazhd was fought by the Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1330, near the town of Velbazhd (present day Kyustendil).

The growing power of the Serbian Kingdom from the late 13th century raised serious concerns in the traditional Balkan powers Bulgaria and Byzantine Empire which agreed for joint military actions against Serbia in 1327. Three years later the bulk of the Bulgarian and Serbian armies clashed at Velbazhd and the Bulgarians were caught by surprise. Serbian victory shaped the balance of power in Balkans for the next two decades. The Bulgarians did not lose territory after the battle but were unable to stop the Serbian advance towards Macedonia.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Velbazhd was fought by the Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1330, near the town of Velbazhd (present day Kyustendil).

Events Before

  1. King Edward III of England (15) weds Philippa of Hainault (18) at York Minster, in York, England

    King Edward III of England (15) weds Philippa of Hainault (18) at York Minster, in York, England

  2. Prince David (4), heir to the Scottish throne marries Joan (7), Princess of England at Berwick-upon-Tweed

    Prince David (4), heir to the Scottish throne marries Joan (7), Princess of England at Berwick-upon-Tweed

  3. Pope John XXII issues the papal bull "In Agro Dominico," condemning the writings of German mystic Meister Eckhart as her

    Pope John XXII issues the papal bull "In Agro Dominico," condemning the writings of German mystic Meister Eckhart as heretical

  4. Quilon is the first Indian diocese erected by Pope John XXII, and Jordanus is appointed the first bishop

    The Diocese of Quilon is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church based in the southern Indian city of Kollam.

  5. Robert the Bruce dies

    Robert the Bruce dies

Events After

  1. Stefan Dušan declares himself King of Serbia

    Stefan Dušan declares himself King of Serbia

  2. Battle of Płowce: Kingdom of Poland defeats the Teutonic Order in a strategic victory

    Battle of Płowce: Kingdom of Poland defeats the Teutonic Order in a strategic victory

  3. Emperor of Ethiopia Amda Seyon I begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces

    Emperor of Ethiopia Amda Seyon I begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces

  4. Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scottish dynastic conflict

    The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns in the late 13th and 14th centuries in order to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Scotland which had...

  5. Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani

    Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani

More from the 1330s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 28, 1330?
The Battle of Velbazhd was fought by the Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1330, near the town of Velbazhd (present day Kyustendil). The growing power of the Serbian Kingdom from the late 13th century raised serious concerns in the traditional Balkan powers Bulgaria and Byzantine Empire which agreed for joint military actions against Serbia in 1327. Three years later the bulk of the Bulgarian and Serbian armies clashed at Velbazhd and the Bulgarians were caught by surprise.
Why is Battle of Velbuzd: Serbian forces defeat Bulgarian army significant?
The Battle of Velbazhd was fought by the Bulgarian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1330, near the town of Velbazhd (present day Kyustendil).

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