Jovan Branković
Detail of Andreja Raičević's icon (c. 1645), depicting Jovan as a saint
TitularDespot of Serbia
Reign	1493–1502
Predecessor	Đorđe Branković
Successor	Ivaniš Berislavić
Born	c. 1465
Died	10 December 1502
Burial	Krušedol monastery
Spouse	Jelena Jakšić
Issue	Maria Branković Helena Catherine, Princess of Moldavia Anna Branković Maria Magdalena Branković Milica Despina, Princess of Wallachia (disputed)
House	Branković
Father	Stefan Branković
Mother	Angjelina Arianiti
Religion	Serbian Orthodox Christian

Jovan Branković (Serbian Cyrillic:Јован Бранковић,pronounced[jɔ̌v̞anbrǎːnkɔv̞itɕ]; c. 1465 – 10 December 1502) was the titularDespot of Serbia from 1493 until his death in 1502. The title ofdespot was given to him by Hungarian kingVladislas II of Hungary. From 1493 to 1497 he held the title together with his elder brotherĐorđe Branković, who was despot from 1486. In 1497, Đorđe relinquished the title, and Jovan remained the sole Despot of Serbia, until his death in 1502. Jovan was the last Serbian Despot of theBranković dynasty. With his brother he built theKrušedol monastery, and made various donations toHilandar and otherEastern Orthodox monasteries. He was proclaimed a saint by theSerbian Orthodox Church.^[1][2]

Jovan was the younger son ofStefan Branković, exiled Despot of Serbia (1458–1459), and theAlbanian PrincessAngjelina Arianiti. He was born c. 1465, while his parents were residing in the CastleBelgrado, in the region ofFriuli. His father, Despot Stefan, died in 1476 while family was still living in Belgrado. In 1479, EmperorFriedrich III granted them CastleWeitensfeld inCarinthia, and Jovan moved there with the rest of family.^[3]

Jovan's cousinVuk Branković, titular Despot of Serbia, died in 1485, without direct heirs. His title and estates in the Kingdom of Hungary were left vacant, prompting Hungarian kingMatthias Corvinus to find a suitable heir. He opted for the only remaining male members of Branković family (Đorđe and Jovan), inviting them to come to Hungary.^[4][5]

In 1486, they arrived in Hungary, and Jovan's elder brotherĐorđe received the title ofDespot of Serbia from King Matthias, who granted them possessions inKupinik, Slankamen, and Berkasovo in the region ofSyrmia.

From 1493 forwards, the brothers ruled jointly, since Jovan was also granted the titleDespot of Serbia, as it was customary in the Kingdom of Hungary that various senior posts be held jointly by two incumbents.

In 1497, Đorđe decided to relinquish all of his titles and possessions to Jovan. At that time, Đorđe took monastic vows, adopting the nameMaksim (Serbian Cyrillic:Максим). The brothers later built theKrušedol monastery in the region ofSyrmia.^[6]

Jovan had different goals to those of his brother Đorđe. He did not seek to create aheavenly realm, but sought to defeat the Turks and drive them out of his lands, and as such to be entitled the ranks of his ancestors. He successfully fought the Ottoman Empire during several operations inBosnia, especially aroundZvornik. Jovan also planned to free the Serbs from Ottoman rule with the help of theRepublic of Venice, but this was prevented by his death in 1502. After his death, the hope of restoring Serbia under the advancingOttoman Empire became weaker.

He married a Serbian noblewomanJelena Jakšić, with whom he had several children, but no surviving male heir. After his death in 1502, Hungarian kingVladislaus II (d. 1516) instructed Jovan's widow Jelena to remarry (1504) to a prominent nobleman,Ivaniš Berislavić (d. 1514) fromPožega County. Subsequently, Berislavić was granted the titleDespot of Serbia and control over Branković family estates.^[7][8]

Jovan is mentioned in the "Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani", orMassarelli manuscript, found in the papers ofAngelo Massarelli (1510–1566).^[9]

Members of theBranković dynasty were known for their devotion toEastern Orthodox Christianity,^[10][11] and Jovan Branković also represented that family tradition. His cult began in the first half of the 16th century. He was buried at theKrušedol monastery, and laid together with the rest of his family members, in coffins at the altar.^[12] During theAustro-Turkish War (1716–1718), a Turkish army invadedSyrmia in 1716, capturedKrušedol monastery and burned theholy relics, shortly after theBattle of Petrovaradin. Only some minor parts of the relics were preserved.^[13]

He married Serbian noblewomanJelena Jakšić, member of the influentialHouse of Jakšić, who is mentioned as"Helena, Serbiæ despotissa" in a charter dated to 1502. They had 4 children, all of whom were daughters:

• Marija, married to Ferdinand Frankopan, of theHouse of Frankopan
• Jelena, married toPeter IV Rareş,Prince ofMoldavia, member of theHouse of Bogdan-Mușat
• Ana, married to FiodorSanguszko,Marshal ofVolhynia^[14]
• Marija Magdalena, married to IwanWiśniowiecki, a noble from Volhynia^[14]

Some researchers have suggested, after taking into account the dates of Jelena's both marriages (first with Jovan Branković, and second with Ivaniš Berislavić), that some of her daughters who are usually considered to be from her first marriage, might in fact be from her second marriage.^[15]

Some genealogies also indicate that another daughter,Milica Despina, marriedNeagoe Basarab,Prince ofWallachia (1512–21).^[16] Some believe Milica was too old to be his daughter, but she was born cca. 1486–1488.^[17] Milica Despina might have been an illegitimate daughter of his or other close relative or even the daughter of Jovan's brotherĐorđe with whom she went to Wallachia in 1503.

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