View source for List of Bulgarian monarchs

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox monarchy
| royal_title        = [[Tsar]]
| realm              = the Bulgarians
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{lang|bg|Царь на Българитѣ}}}}
| coatofarms         = Tsar of Bulgaria standard.svg
| coatofarmscaption  = Standard of the Tsar of Bulgaria (1945)
| image              = Seal of Petar I.png
| image_size         = 
| caption            ='''Longest reign<br />[[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]]'''<br />927–969
| first_monarch      = [[Asparuh of Bulgaria|Asparuh]] (''khan'')<br/>[[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]] (''knyaz'')<br/>[[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] ({{lang|bg-Latn|Tsar}})
| last_monarch       = [[Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha|Simeon II]]
| style              = [[Majesty|His Majesty]]
| residence          = Various historically<br/>[[Tsarevets (fortress)|Tsarevets]] (1185–1393)<br/>[[National Art Gallery (Bulgaria)|Royal Palace]] (1882–1946)
| appointer          = Variously [[hereditary monarchy|hereditary]] or [[elective monarchy|elective]]
| formation          = {{circa}} 680
| abolition          = 15 September 1946
| pretender          = [[Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha|Simeon II]]
}}
The '''monarchs of Bulgaria''' ruled [[Bulgaria]] during the medieval [[First Bulgarian Empire|First]] ({{Circa}} 681–1018) and [[Second Bulgarian Empire|Second]] (1185–1422) Bulgarian empires, as well as during the modern [[Principality of Bulgaria|Principality]] (1879–1908) and [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|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]].

Various titles have been used by the rulers of Bulgaria. The only recorded title, used before Bulgaria's conversion to Christianity, is ''[[kanasubigi]]'', likely meaning "[[Khan (title)|Khan, Lord of the Army]]"<ref>[http://www.promacedonia.org/vb/vb_5.html Veselin Beševliev, ''Prabylgarski epigrafski pametnici'' - 5<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> or "the sublime [[Khan (title)|Khan]]".<ref>Steven Runciman (2018) A History of the First Bulgarian Empire, {{ISBN|9780359041435}}, p. 68</ref> When Bulgaria converted to Christianity in the ninth century, the ruler [[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]] (852–889) was using the title ''[[knyaz]]'' (prince).<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> 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]],<ref name="Madgearu-2016">{{Cite book |last=Madgearu |first=Alexandru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S9nzDQAAQBAJ |title=The Asanids: The Political and Military History of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1280) |date=2016 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-33319-2 |pages=50 |language=en}}</ref> which contributed to the adoption of the title of ''[[tsar]]'' (emperor) by Bulgarian monarchs beginning with [[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] (893–927) in 913.<ref name="Crampton-1987" /> Some powerful medieval Bulgarian rulers challenged Byzantine authority by proclaiming themselves as both Bulgarian and [[Roman emperor|Roman emperors]].<ref name="Bideleux-2007">{{Cite book |last1=Bideleux |first1=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G6iBAgAAQBAJ |title=The Balkans: A Post-Communist History |last2=Jeffries |first2=Ian |date=2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-58328-7 |pages=75 |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Tarnovo Const.-1879" /> 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'',<ref name="Temizer-2021" /> though this time generally translated internationally as "king" rather than "emperor".<ref name="Temizer-2021" /><ref name="Crampton-2009" />

== Titles ==

=== Titles in the First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018) ===
[[File:Видин, май 2013 - panoramio (79).jpg|left|thumb|[[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] (893–927) was the first Bulgarian ruler to rule as ''[[tsar]]''. His official title translates to "Emperor of the Bulgarians and the Romans".|upright=0.8]]
Evidence concerning the titles used by the rulers of the [[First Bulgarian Empire]] (681–1018) prior to the conversion to Christianity in the 860s is scant. The only title known from contemporary sources is ''[[kanasubigi]]'', recorded in ten [[Greek language|Greek]]-language inscriptions (as ΚΑΝΑΣΥΒΙΓΙ) from the ninth century in reference to [[Omurtag of Bulgaria|Omurtag]] (814–831) and his son [[Malamir of Bulgaria|Malamir]] (831–836). Two gold medallions struck for Omurtag also use the same title.<ref name="Curta-2021a">{{Cite book |last=Curta |first=Florin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f85JEAAAQBAJ |title=The Routledge Handbook of East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500-1300 |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-47624-8 |language=en}}</ref> 

Upon his conversion to Christianity in 864/865, [[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]] (852–889) adopted the new ruling title ''[[knyaz]]'', generally translated as "[[prince]]" (though sometimes alternatively as "[[king]]").<ref name="Detrez-2014">{{Cite book |last=Detrez |first=Raymond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hywaBgAAQBAJ |title=Historical Dictionary of Bulgaria |date=2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-4180-0 |pages=7, 78–79, 259–260, 269, 280, 519–520, 543 |language=}}</ref> This title was used by the Bulgarian rulers until 913, when the ''knyaz'' [[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] (893–927), Boris I's son, [[Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 913–927|invaded]] the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Simeon aspired to make Bulgaria into the new "[[universal monarchy]]" (a role the Byzantines viewed themselves as having) by absorbing and replacing the empire centered in [[Constantinople]]. Due to the threat presented by Simeon, who reached the walls of Constantinople, the Byzantines relented and the Patriarch of Constantinople, [[Nicholas Mystikos]], granted him an imperial crown.<ref name="Nicol-1967">{{Cite journal |last=Nicol |first=Donald M. |date=1967 |title=The Byzantine View of Western Europe |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/7bea5844cd4b6c248d45b1bab79f461b/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1819401 |journal=Greek, Roman and Byzantine Studies |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=325–326}}</ref> The only other monarch recognized as a ''[[basileus]]'' (i.e. [[emperor]]) by the Byzantines was (at times) the [[Holy Roman Emperor|Holy Roman emperor]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crampton |first=R. J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ylz4fe7757cC |title=A Concise History of Bulgaria |date=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-61637-9 |pages=16 |language=en}}</ref> The Byzantines did not consider Simeon as outranking their own emperors and designated him as the "Emperor of the Bulgarians". Simeon himself used the grander title "Emperor of the Bulgarians and the Romans".<ref name="Nicol-1967" /> The title of emperor was in Bulgarian translated as ''[[tsar]]'' (deriving from the Latin ''[[Caesar (title)|caesar]]''), seen as equivalent to the Greek ''basileus'' or Latin ''[[imperator]]''.<ref name="Crampton-1987">{{Cite book |last1=Crampton |first1=R. J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iL06AAAAIAAJ |title=A Short History of Modern Bulgaria |last2=Crampton |first2=B. J. |date=1987 |publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-27323-7 |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref>

Bulgarian rulers from the death of Simeon I in 927 until the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire in 1018 used the simpler "Emperor of the Bulgarians", ceasing to claim Byzantium's universal monarchy.<ref name="Nicol-1967" />

=== Titles in the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422) ===

{{Sidebar timeline
|title=Bulgarian royal titles
|members1=''[[Kanasubigi]]'' <!--no known contemporary source includes an additional qualifier, such as "of the Bulgarians"-->
|years1=680?–864
|members2=''[[Knyaz]]'' <!--no known contemporary source includes an additional qualifier, such as "of the Bulgarians"-->
|years2=864–913
|members3=''[[Tsar]]'' of the Bulgarians and the [[Rhomaioi|Romans]]
|years3=913–927
|members4=''Tsar'' of the Bulgarians
|years4={{Nowrap|927–1018}}
|members5= —
|years5={{Nowrap|1018–1185}}
|members6=''Tsar'' of the Bulgarians
|years6={{Nowrap|1185–1204}}
|members7=''Tsar'' of the Bulgarians and [[Vlachs]]
|years7={{Nowrap|1204–1207}}
|members8=''Tsar'' of the Bulgarians
|years8={{Nowrap|1207–1230}}
|members9=''Tsar'' and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks
|years9={{Nowrap|1230–1241}}
|members10=''Tsar'' and Autocrat of the Bulgarians
|years10={{Nowrap|1241–1340s}}
|members11=''Tsar'' and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks
|years11={{Nowrap|1340s–1395}}
|members12=''Tsar'' and Autocrat of the Bulgarians
|years12={{Nowrap|1395–1422}}
|members13= —
|years13={{Nowrap|1422–1879}}
|members14=''Knyaz'' of Bulgaria
|years14={{Nowrap|1879–1908}}
|members15=''Tsar'' of the Bulgarians
|years15={{Nowrap|1908–1946}}
}}

The first rulers of the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]] (1185–1422) revived the style used by Simeon I's successors, "Emperor of the Bulgarians", rendered ''tsr’ Bl’garom'' in Bulgarian documents and ''imperator Bulgarorum'' in Latin.<ref name=":LRT">{{Cite book |last=Tricht |first=Filip Van |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOJ5DwAAQBAJ |title=The Latin Renovatio of Byzantium: The Empire of Constantinople (1204-1228) |date=2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-20392-1 |pages=393 |language=en}}</ref> The second empire's third ruler, [[Kaloyan of Bulgaria|Kaloyan]] (1196–1207), adopted the grander title "Emperor of Bulgarians and [[Vlachs]]" (''imperator Bulgarorum et Blachorum'').<ref name="Petkov-2008" /><ref name="Daskalov-2015">{{Cite book |last1=Daskalov |first1=Roumen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WDRzBwAAQBAJ |title=Entangled Histories of the Balkans - Volume Three: Shared Pasts, Disputed Legacies |last2=Vezenkov |first2=Alexander |date=2015 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-29036-5 |pages=346 |language=en}}</ref> He unsuccessfully sought recognition of this title from the Papacy, though [[Pope Innocent III]] merely recognized him as "King of the Bulgarians and Vlachs" (''rex Bulgarorum et Blachorum''), not wishing to recognize any other emperor than the Holy Roman emperor.<ref name="Daskalov-2015" />

The fifth ruler of the second empire, [[Ivan Asen II]] (1218–1241) after 1230 extended his original title "Emperor of the Bulgarians" to the grander "Emperor of the Bulgarians and Greeks" (''tsr’ Bl’garom i Gr’kom'', Latin: ''imperator Bulgarorum et Grecorum''). This title was taken to reflect his extensive conquests in formerly Byzantine territory and was effectively a revival of Simeon I's title since both "Greeks" and "Romans" were envisioned as referring to the inhabitants of the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Bideleux-2007" /><ref name=":LRT" /> Ivan Asen II also introduced the element "[[Autokrator|autocrat]]" (Bulgarian: ''samodrzac'', Latin: ''moderator'') into the Bulgarian imperial title, modelled on its usage in the Byzantine imperial title,<ref name=":LRT" /> and eventually in full styled himself as the "Emperor and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks"<ref name="Bideleux-2007" /><ref name=":LRT" /> (Bulgarian: ''tsr’ i samodrzac Bl’garom i Gr’kom'', Latin: ''imperator et moderator Bulgarorum et Grecorum'').<ref name=":LRT" />

Ivan Asen II's successors kept "autocrat" in the title but returned to the simpler style "Emperor and Autocrat of the Bulgarians".<ref name="CurtaFlorin">{{Cite book |last=Curta |first=Florin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JAKwCQAAQBAJ |title=The Other Europe in the Middle Ages: Avars, Bulgars, Khazars and Cumans |date=2008 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-474-2356-0 |pages=398, 400 |language=en}}</ref> His extended title was later revived by [[Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria|Ivan Alexander]] (1331–1371), who also proclaimed himself as the "Emperor and Autocrat of the Bulgarians and Greeks"<ref name="CurtaFlorin" /> to challenge the authority of the then weakened Byzantine Empire.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ryder |first=Judith |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mt95DwAAQBAJ |title=The Career and Writings of Demetrius Kydones: A Study of Fourteenth-Century Byzantine Politics, Religion and Society |date=2010 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-18944-7 |pages=245 |language=en}}</ref> Ivan Alexander's son [[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|Ivan Shishman]] (1371–1395) is also recorded to have used this extended imperial title.<ref name="CurtaFlorin" />

=== Titles in modern Bulgaria (1878–1946) ===
The [[Tarnovo Constitution]] of the modern [[Principality of Bulgaria]] (1878–1908) stipulated that the monarch was to use the title "''Knyaz'' of Bulgaria" (i.e. "Prince of Bulgaria") rather than ''tsar'' due to the principality being an autonomous vassal state of the [[Ottoman Empire]] rather than a fully independent country.<ref name="Tarnovo Const.-1879" />

When Bulgaria achieved complete independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908, the former ''knyaz'' [[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria|Ferdinand I]] (1887–1918) adopted the higher title of "''[[Tsar]]'' of the Bulgarians", as had been used by Bulgarian monarchs in the Middle Ages. The assumption of the title of ''tsar'' was met with opposition from both the Ottomans and the [[Russian Empire]].<ref name="Temizer-2021">{{Cite journal |last=Temizer |first=Abidin |date=2021 |title=The Independence Process of Bulgaria and the First Ambassador of the Ottoman Empire to Sofia, Mustafa Asım Bey |url=https://belleten.gov.tr/tam-metin/3675/eng |journal=Belleten |volume=85 |issue=304 |pages=1084, 1086 |doi=10.37879/belleten.2021.1073 |s2cid=244948282 |issn=0041-4255|doi-access=free }}</ref> Although ''tsar'' had been understood as equivalent to emperor in medieval times,<ref name="Crampton-1987" /> the title of the new Bulgarian ''tsars'' was generally translated as "King of the Bulgarians" internationally.<ref name="Crampton-2009">{{Cite book |last=Crampton |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1VcrDwAAQBAJ |title=Aleksandur Stamboliiski: Bulgaria |date=2009 |publisher=Haus Publishing |isbn=978-1-907822-25-4 |language=en |chapter=The Years of War (1912–18)}}</ref>

== Names and regnal numbers ==
{{See also|Regnal number}}
[[File:Alexander I of Bulgaria by Dimitar Karastoyanov.jpg|thumb|[[Alexander of Battenberg|Alexander I]] (1879–1886) was the first Bulgarian monarch to officially use a [[regnal number]]|upright=0.7]]
Regnal numbers for monarchs have only been officially used in Bulgaria in modern times, beginning with [[Alexander of Battenberg|Alexander I]] in 1879.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Modern [[historiography]] retroactively also assigns sequential regnal numbers to medieval Bulgarian rulers, even if they ruled different Bulgarian states and used different titles; Boris I (852–889) ruled the First Bulgarian Empire as a prince (''knyaz''), his great-grandson [[Boris II of Bulgaria|Boris II]] (967–977) ruled the same state as emperor, and [[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]] (1918–1943) ruled the modern [[Kingdom of Bulgaria]] as ''tsar'' (king).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />

There were three different types of names used by medieval Bulgarian monarchs after Bulgaria converted to Christianity; names drawn from Bulgar or Slavic tradition (i.e. Boris, Boril, Vladimir, Presian), names drawn from Christian tradition (i.e. Michael, Simeon, Peter, Ivan, Samuel), or double names combining both (i.e. Ivan Vladislav, Gavril Radomir, Ivan Sratsimir, Theodore Svetoslav). When using a double name, the Christian name always preceded the name drawn from local tradition. Very rarely, Bulgarian rulers used double names combining two Christian names (i.e. Ivan Stephen, Ivan Alexander).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />

The use of double names by Bulgarian monarchs, sometimes not used consistently in contemporary sources,{{efn|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 I of Bulgaria|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 of Bulgaria|Ivan Alexander]] (1331–1371) and his sons [[Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria|Ivan Sratsimir]] (1356–1397) and [[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|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).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}} has in cases led to confusion and misunderstanding in modern efforts to assign regnal numbers. In particular, it has sometimes erroneously been assumed that the usage of double names indicated that the monarchs employed family names; this interpretation has in the past resulted in the use of names such as Ivan II Asen (for Ivan Asen II), George I Terter (for [[George Terter I]]) and Michael III Shishman (for [[Michael Asen III of Bulgaria|Michael Asen III]]). Names of clans were prominently used in Bulgaria in pre-Christian times, though disappeared from usage sometime after the conversion to Christianity, despite family names being used in some of Bulgaria's closest neighbours (such as the Byzantine Empire).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Although names such as ''Asen'' or ''Terter'' could serve as genealogical and political markers to demonstrate a ruler's position in an illustrious lineage they were also fully part of the ruler's regnal names, as demonstrated by those rulers whose double names excluded genealogical connections (such as Ivan Alexander). Double names with genealogical connotations were at times also claimed by rulers not belonging to the same dynastic lineage, such as [[Mitso Asen of Bulgaria|Mitso Asen]] (1256–1257; who married into the Asen dynasty).<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> 

== First Bulgarian Empire (c. 680–1018) ==
{{Main|First Bulgarian Empire}}

=== Early Bulgarian rulers (c. 680–803) ===
The [[First Bulgarian Empire]] is regarded to have been established {{Circa}} 680 when the Bulgarian ruler [[Asparuh of Bulgaria|Asparuh]] crossed the Danube.<ref name="Runciman-1930" /><ref name="Morby-2014">{{Cite book |last=Morby |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TFExDwAAQBAJ |title=Dynasties of the World |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-251848-4 |language=en |chapter=Bulgaria, Medieval}}</ref> Asparuh's family, the [[Dulo]] clan, claimed descent from the [[Huns|Hunnic]] ruler [[Attila]], through Attila's son [[Ernak]].<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> References to political developments within Bulgaria prior to the reign of [[Krum]] (c. 803–814) are extremely scant, making the dates and family relationships of the rulers recorded in contemporary and later sources highly uncertain.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> The rulers below may all belong to the Dulo clan or might alternatively have belonged to various competing clans.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Several alternate chronologies of early Bulgarian rulers have been proposed, with some presented below, with the names standardized across sources:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Moskov (1988):<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moskov |first=Mosko |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4MsJAQAAIAAJ |title=Именник на българските ханове: ново тълкуване |date=1988 |publisher=Държавно издателство "Д-р Петър Берон" |isbn= |pages=358, 330-332, 264 |language=Bulgarian}}</ref>
!Fine (1991):<ref name="Fine-1991" />
(originally 1983)
!Treadgold (1997):<ref>{{Cite book |last=Treadgold |first=Warren T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYbnr5XVbzUC |title=A History of the Byzantine State and Society |date=1997 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-2630-6 |pages=871 |language=en}}</ref>
!Morby (2014):<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morby |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TFExDwAAQBAJ |title=Dynasties of the World |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-251848-4 |language=en |chapter=Bulgaria, Medieval}}</ref>
!Detrez (2014):<ref>{{Cite book |last=Detrez |first=Raymond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hywaBgAAQBAJ |title=Historical Dictionary of Bulgaria |date=2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-4180-0 |pages=7, 78–79, 259–260, 269, 280, 519–520, 543 |language=}}</ref>
!Curta (2019):<ref>{{Cite book |last=Curta |first=Florin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-sqiDwAAQBAJ |title=Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300) (2 vols) |date=2019 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-39519-0 |pages=82 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Asparuh of Bulgaria|Asparuh]] (668–695)
|Asparuh (670s–701)
|Asparuh (681–c.701)
|Asparuh (680–700)
|Asparuh (641–701)
|Asparuh (681–c.700)
|-
|[[Tervel of Bulgaria|Tervel]] (695–714)
|Tervel (701–718)
|Tervel (c.701–c.718)
|Tervel (700–721)
|Tervel (701–718)
|Tervel (c.700–721)
|-
|anonymous (714–715)
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Kormesiy (715–721)
|Unknown (718–725)
|
|Kormisosh (721–738)
|Unknown (718–c.725)
|Kormisosh (721–738)
|-
|[[Sevar of Bulgaria|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 of Bulgaria|Vineh]] (754–760)
|Vineh (756–c.761)
|Vineh and
|Vineh (753–760)
|Vineh (756–762)
|Vineh (753/4–760)
|-
|[[Telets of Bulgaria|Telets]] (760–763)
|Telets (c.761–c.764)
|Telets (762–763)
|Telets (760–763)
|Telets (762–765)
|Telets (760–763)
|-
|[[Sabin of Bulgaria|Sabin]] (763–765)
|Sabin (c.764–767)
|
|Sabin (763–766)
|Sabin (765–767)
|Sabin (763–766)
|-
|[[Umor of Bulgaria|Umor]] (765)
|Umor (767)
|Umor (763)
|Umor (766)
|Umor (767)
|Umor (766)
|-
|[[Toktu of Bulgaria|Toktu]] (765–766)
|Toktu (767–c.769)
|Pagan (763–765)
|Toktu (766–767)
|Toktu (767–772)
|Toktu (766–767)
|-
|[[Pagan of Bulgaria|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 of Bulgaria|Kardam]] (777–803)
|Kardam (777–c.803)
|Kardam (777?–c.803)
|Kardam (777–803)
|Kardam (777–802)
|Kardam (777–803)
|}

=== House of Krum (803–997) ===
{{Main|Krum's dynasty}}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Krum33.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Krum]]'''<br /><small>Крум</small>
|{{Circa}} 803?–814<ref name="Fine-1991">{{Cite book |last1=Fine |first1=John V. A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C |title=The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century |last2=Fine |first2=John Van Antwerp |date=1991 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |isbn=978-0-472-08149-3 |pages=10, 295–296 |language=en}}</ref><br /><small>(c. 11-17 years)</small>
|Possibly a descendant of the [[Dulo]] clan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shores |first=Louis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j_IuDNx7tmkC |title=Collier's Encyclopedia: With Bibliography and Index |date=1964 |publisher=Crowell-Collier Publishing Company |pages=711 |language=en}}</ref> Krum may have ascended the throne as early as 796/7.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Božilov|first1=Ivan | last2=Gjuzelev |first2=Vasil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C |title=История на Средновековна България VII-XIV век |date=2006 |publisher=Anubis |isbn=978-954-426-718-6 |pages=144 |language=Bulgarian}}</ref> Successful warrior and conqueror; defeated the [[Pannonian Avars|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 [[Skull cup|drinking cup]]. Died suddenly while preparing a campaign intended to conquer [[Constantinople]].<ref name="Detrez-2014" />
|-
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Dukum]]<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Treadgold-1997">{{Cite book |last=Treadgold |first=Warren T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYbnr5XVbzUC |title=A History of the Byzantine State and Society |date=1997 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-0-8047-2630-6 |pages=871 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Haldon-2005">{{Cite book |last=Haldon |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjAWDAAAQBAJ |title=The Palgrave Atlas of Byzantine History |date=2005 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-230-27395-5 |pages=177 |language=en}}</ref><br /><small>Дукум</small>
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |possibly 814<br /><small>(briefly)</small>
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Brother of Krum.<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> An experienced military commander who played an important role in Krum's military campaigns.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011">{{Cite book |last=Sophoulis |first=Panos |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8Y-3zVnvbEC |title=Byzantium and Bulgaria, 775-831 |date=2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-20695-3 |pages=148, 266 |language=en}}</ref> Possibly seized the throne after Krum's death but died almost immediately,<ref name="Runciman-1930">{{Cite book |last=Runciman |first=Steven |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-NBAAAAYAAJ |title=A History of the First Bulgarian Empire |date=1930 |publisher=G. Bell & sons Limited |isbn=978-0-598-74922-2 |pages=10, 71–72 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> presumably of natural causes.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Some historians consider Dukum, named only in hagiographical sources, merely a local ruler and not a monarch, with Krum perhaps being succeeded directly by his son Omurtag.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Božilov|first1=Ivan | last2=Gjuzelev |first2=Vasil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C |title=История на Средновековна България VII-XIV век |date=2006 |publisher=Anubis |isbn=978-954-426-718-6 |pages=126 |language=Bulgarian}}</ref>
|-
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Ditzeng]]<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Treadgold-1997" /><ref name="Haldon-2005" />{{efn|"Tsok", a Bulgarian ruler briefly mentioned in a single Byzantine source as persecuting Christian prisoners,<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> is presumably the same person as Ditzeng.<ref name="TSvetkov-1993" />}}<br /><small>Диценг</small>
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |possibly 814–815<ref name="Morby-2014" /><br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Unknown relation;<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> presumably a brother or nephew of Krum.<ref name="Morby-2014" /><ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Recorded as persecutor of Christian prisoners.<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> May have been in ill health at the time of his accession.<ref name="Sophoulis-2011" /> Some historians consider Ditzeng, named only in hagiographical sources, merely a local ruler and not a monarch, with Krum perhaps being succeeded directly by his son Omurtag.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Božilov|first1=Ivan | last2=Gjuzelev |first2=Vasil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C |title=История на Средновековна България VII-XIV век |date=2006 |publisher=Anubis |isbn=978-954-426-718-6 |pages=144 |language=Bulgarian}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Omurtag1.jpg|80px]]
|[[Omurtag of Bulgaria|'''Omurtag''']]<br /><small>Омуртаг</small>
|814<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Božilov|first1=Ivan | last2=Gjuzelev |first2=Vasil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C |title=История на Средновековна България VII-XIV век |date=2006 |publisher=Anubis |isbn=978-954-426-718-6 |pages=144 |language=Bulgarian}}</ref>/815<ref name="Morby-2014" />–831<br /><small>(16-17 years)</small>
|Son of Krum.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> May have seized the throne from Ditzeng<ref name="Runciman-1930" /> or succeeded his father Krum directly.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Božilov|first1=Ivan | last2=Gjuzelev |first2=Vasil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C |title=История на Средновековна България VII-XIV век |date=2006 |publisher=Anubis |isbn=978-954-426-718-6 |pages=144 |language=Bulgarian}}</ref> Signed a [[Byzantine–Bulgarian treaty of 815|30-year peace treaty]] with the Byzantine Empire in 815.<ref name="Curta-2021a" /><ref name="Petkov-2008" /> 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]].<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Solidified the Bulgarian central government.<ref name="Hupchick-2017" />
|-
|
|[[Malamir of Bulgaria|'''Malamir''']]<br /><small>Маламир</small>
|831–836<br /><small>(5 years)</small>
|Son of Omurtag.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> 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.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> Died of unknown causes, no longer occupying the Bulgarian throne by 836.<ref name="Hupchick-2017" />
|-
|
|[[Presian I of Bulgaria|'''Presian I''']]<br /><small>Пресиян</small>
|836–852<br /><small>(16 years)</small>
|Son of [[Zvinitsa]], a son of Omurtag.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /><ref name="Morby-2014" /> Underage at the time of his accession, the administration was initially headed by the regent [[Isbul]].<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> 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.<ref name="Hupchick-2017" />
|-
|[[File:TzarBorisDidacticGospelConstantinePreslavski.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]]'''{{efn|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".<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Борис</small>
|852–889<br /><small>(36 years)</small>
|Son of Presian I.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> Unsuccessfully warred against Serbia and Croatia.<ref name="Lawler-2015">{{Cite book |last=Lawler |first=Jennifer |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEWeCQAAQBAJ |title=Encyclopedia of the Byzantine Empire |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-0929-4 |pages=73–74, 301 |language=en}}</ref> Under pressure from the Byzantine emperor [[Michael III]],<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> Boris was responsible for converting Bulgaria to Christianity, he himself being baptized in 864/865.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /><ref name="Miller-1923" /> Adopted the new ruling title of ''[[knyaz]]'' (prince) at the time of his conversion.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Defeated a major uprising of pagans against his rule. Abdicated in favour of his son [[Vladimir of Bulgaria|Vladimir]] in 889 and retired to a monastery, dying in 907.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> Considered a [[saint]] in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].<ref name="Lawler-2015" />
|-
|[[File:Vladimir Rasate (crop).png|80px]]
|[[Vladimir of Bulgaria|'''Vladimir''']]<br /><small>Владимир Расате</small>
|889–893<br /><small>(4 years)</small>
|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 I of Bulgaria|Simeon]] was thereafter made ruler.<ref name="Lawler-2015" />
|-
|[[File:Skylitzes - Simeón el Grande crop.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]]'''<br /><small>Симеон</small>
|893–927<br /><small>(34 years)</small>
|Son of Boris I.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> Made ''knyaz'' (prince) after the deposition of Vladimir.<ref name="Lawler-2015" /> 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.<ref name="Nicol-1967" /> 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 of All Bulgaria|patriarch]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Simeon I {{!}} Tsar of Bulgarian Empire |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simeon-I |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Seal of Petar I.png|80px]]
|'''[[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]]'''<br /><small>Петър</small>
|927–969<br /><small>(42 years)</small>
|Son of Simeon I.<ref name="Morby-2014" /> 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]].<ref name="EB-2023">{{Cite web |title=Peter I {{!}} Tsar of Bulgaria |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-I-tsar-of-Bulgaria |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Britannica |language=en}}</ref> Considered a [[saint]] in the [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church]].<ref name="EB-2023" />
|-
|[[File:Boris II.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Boris II of Bulgaria|Boris II]]'''<br /><small>Борис</small>
|969–977{{efn|''De facto'' ruled only 969–971 and thereafter in Byzantine captivity, though remained recognized and unchallenged as the legitimate monarch in Bulgaria itself.<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" />}}<br /><small>(8 years)</small>
|Son of Peter I.<ref name="Pavlov-2009">{{Cite book |last=Pavlov |first=Plamen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiwqAQAAMAAJ |title=Bulgaria and Bulgarians: A Brief History |date=2009 |publisher=Borina |isbn=978-954-500-215-1 |pages=45, 55 |language=en}}</ref> Contended with invasions by the [[Kievan Rus']] and the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> The Bulgarian capital of [[Veliki Preslav|Preslav]] was captured by the Byzantine Empire in 971, resulting in Boris and his brother [[Roman of Bulgaria|Roman]] being brought to Constantinople as prisoners.<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018">{{Cite book |last=Tăpkova-Zaimova |first=Vasilka |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gGZjDwAAQBAJ |title=Bulgarians by Birth: The Comitopuls, Emperor Samuel and their Successors According to Historical Sources and the Historiographic Tradition |date=2018 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-35299-5 |pages=2 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Roszkowski-2015">{{Cite book |last=Roszkowski |first=Wojciech |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kawSEAAAQBAJ |title=East Central Europe: A Concise History |date=2015 |publisher=Instytut Studiów Politycznych Polskiej Akademii Nauk, Instytut Jagielloński |isbn=978-83-65972-20-0 |pages=33 |language=en}}</ref> Power in Bulgaria fell to a group of four nobles, the ''[[Cometopuli dynasty|cometopuli]]'' brothers, who upheld the rights of Boris while he was held prisoner.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /><ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" /> The two brothers escaped back to Bulgaria in 977, though Boris was killed during the journey.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" />
|-
|[[File:Roman BG.JPG|80px]]
|'''[[Roman of Bulgaria|Roman]]'''<br /><small>Роман</small>
|977–997{{efn|''De facto'' ruled only 977–991 and thereafter in Byzantine captivity,<ref name="Whittow-1996" /> though remained recognized and unchallenged as the legitimate monarch in Bulgaria itself.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" />}}<br /><small>(20 years)</small>
|Son of Peter I.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> Previously held captive by the Byzantines in Constantinople.<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" /><ref name="Roszkowski-2015" /> Infrequently mentioned in surviving sources and appears to have been more of a figurehead for the ''[[Cometopuli dynasty|cometopuli]]'' than an active ruler.<ref name="Hupchick-2017">{{Cite book |last=Hupchick |first=Dennis P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wa4sDwAAQBAJ |title=The Bulgarian-Byzantine Wars for Early Medieval Balkan Hegemony: Silver-Lined Skulls and Blinded Armies |date=2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-56206-3 |pages=125, 127–128, 255, 295–296 |language=en}}</ref> Captured by the Byzantines again in 991 and died in captivity six years later.<ref name="Whittow-1996">{{Cite book |last=Whittow |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZFKEAAAQBAJ |title=The Making of Orthodox Byzantium, 600–1025 |date=1996 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-349-24765-3 |pages=297 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

=== House of Cometopuli (997–1018) ===
{{Main|Cometopuli dynasty}}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Samuil of bolgaria reconstruction.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Samuel of Bulgaria|Samuel]]'''<br /><small>Самуил</small>
|997–1014<br /><small>(17 years)</small>
|The youngest of the ''[[Cometopuli dynasty|cometopuli]]'', the sons of a noble named [[Nicholas (komes)|Nicholas]]. Samuel and his brothers had some relation to the preceding royal dynasty,<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> possibly being cousins of Boris II and Roman.<ref name="Vlasto-1970">{{Cite book |last=Vlasto |first=A. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fpVOAAAAIAAJ |title=The Entry of the Slavs Into Christendom: An Introduction to the Medieval History of the Slavs |date=1970 |publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-07459-9 |pages=180 |language=en}}</ref> One of the primary Bulgarian military leaders from 971 onwards and proclaimed emperor after Roman's death.<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /><ref name="Vlasto-1970" /> 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]].<ref name="Tapkova-Zaimova-2018" />
|-
|[[File:Radomir.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria|Gavril Radomir]]'''<br /><small>Гаврил Радомир</small>
|1014–1015<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
|Son of Samuel. Murdered by his cousin [[Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria|Ivan Vladislav]] after a reign of less than a year.<ref name="Miller-1923" />
|-
|[[File:IvanVladislav.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria|Ivan Vladislav]]'''<br /><small>Иван Владислав</small>
|1015–1018<br /><small>(3 years)</small>
|Son of [[Aron of Bulgaria|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 (1018)|Battle of Dyrrhachium]] in 1018. After his death, the Bulgarian nobility became divided among two parties, one headed by Ivan Vladislav's widow [[Maria (wife of Ivan Vladislav)|Maria]] and one headed by his son [[Presian (son of Ivan Vladislav)|Presian II]]. Maria formally surrendered Bulgaria to Basil.<ref name="Miller-1923">{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=William |title=The Cambridge Medieval History: Volume IV: The Eastern Roman Empire (717–1453) |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1923 |pages=235, 242 |chapter=The Rise and Fall of the First Bulgarian Empire (679–1018)}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #93C572; text-align: center;" | ''Bulgaria was conquered by the [[Byzantine Empire]] in the [[Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria]] (968–1018), resulting in the fall of the [[First Bulgarian Empire]]''
|}

== Pretenders during Byzantine rule (1018–1185) ==
Various Byzantine military governors (with the title ''[[strategos]]'') were appointed in formerly Bulgarian lands over the course of the [[Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria]], from the 970s onwards.<ref name="Krsmanovic-2008">{{Cite book |last=Krsmanović |first=Bojana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kjsjAQAAIAAJ |title=The Byzantine Province in Change: On the Threshold Between the 10th and the 11th Century |date=2008 |publisher=Institute for Byzantine Studies, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts |isbn=978-960-371-060-8 |pages=192 |language=en}}</ref> Following the completion of the conquest of Bulgaria in 1018, Emperor [[Basil II]] organized much of the central Balkans into the [[Theme of Bulgaria]], which was governed by an imperially appointed official titled (depending on the time) as the ''doux'' ([[duke]]) or ''[[katepano]]'' of Bulgaria.<ref name="Krsmanovic-2008" /><ref name=":AMD">{{Cite book |last=Madgearu |first=Alexandru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=24S4DkCsjz8C |title=Byzantine Military Organization on the Danube, 10th-12th Centuries |date=2013 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-25249-3 |pages=55, 96 |language=en}}</ref> The capital of Byzantine Bulgaria was [[Skopje|Skopion]] (modern-day Skopje).<ref name="Krsmanovic-2008" /><ref name=":AMD" /> There were several attempts at restoring the Bulgarian Empire during the nearly two centuries of Byzantine rule.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Presian II of Bulgaria.jpg|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Presian (son of Ivan Vladislav)|Presian II]]<br /><small>Пресиян</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1018<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Son of Ivan Vladislav. Although most of the Bulgarian aristocracy surrendered to the Byzantine Empire alongside [[Maria (wife of Ivan Vladislav)|Maria]], Presian II and some of his brothers continued to lead a small resistance,<ref name="Miller-1923" /><ref name="Бакалов-2003" /> based around the [[Tomorr]] mountain range.<ref name="Miller-1923" /> They were eventually also forced to surrender to the Byzantines.<ref name="Miller-1923" /><ref name="Бакалов-2003">{{Cite book |last=Бакалов |first=Георги |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0OVYAAAAMAAJ |title=История на българите |date=2003 |publisher=Знание |isbn=978-954-528-289-8 |pages=573 |language=bg}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Peter Delyan close-up.png|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Peter Delyan]]{{efn|Sometimes enumerated as '''Peter II'''.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Петър Делян</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1040–1041<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Claimed to be a grandson of [[Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria|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 of Bulgaria|Alusian]]. Continued to lead some troops until his defeat at the [[Battle of Ostrovo]]; later fate unknown.<ref name="Chary-2011" />
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Tihomir close-up.png|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Tihomir (Bulgarian noble)|Tihomir]]<br /><small>Тихомир</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1040<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Bulgarian military commander in [[Dyrrhachium (theme)|Dyrrhachium]]. Proclaimed himself emperor after hearing of Peter Delyan's revolt. Deposed and executed after Delyan proved to be more popular among the Bulgarians.<ref name="Chary-2011" />
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Alusian close-up.png|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Alusian of Bulgaria|Alusian]]<br /><small>Алусиан</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1041<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Son of [[Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria|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.<ref name="Chary-2011">{{Cite book |last=Chary |first=Frederick B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gUcVrH0jcBAC |title=The History of Bulgaria |date=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-38446-2 |pages=16–17 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Бодин, краљ српски (1081 - после 1101).jpg|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Constantine Bodin]]{{efn|Took the regnal name Peter and is therefore sometimes enumerated as '''Peter III'''.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Константин Бодин</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1072<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Matrilineal great-great-grandson of [[Samuel of Bulgaria|Samuel]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stepanov |first=Tsvetelin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jh24DwAAQBAJ |title=Waiting for the End of the World: European Dimensions, 950–1200 |date=2019 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-40993-4 |pages=267 |language=en}}</ref> and son of the anti-Byzantine Serbian ruler [[Mihailo I of Duklja|Mihailo I]].<ref name="Rosser-2012">{{Cite book |last=Rosser |first=John Hutchins |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYpqikYr3Q8C |title=Historical Dictionary of Byzantium |date=2012 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7567-8 |pages=xxvii, 130, 262 |language=en}}</ref> Invited by Bulgarian nobles and acclaimed Bulgarian emperor<ref name="Madgearu-2016" /> during [[Georgi Voyteh]]'s [[Uprising of Georgi Voyteh|uprising]] against the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> The uprising was defeated after a few months and Bodin was in Byzantine captivity until 1078.<ref name="Madgearu-2008">{{Cite book |last=Madgearu |first=Alexandru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UjxpAAAAMAAJ |title=The Wars of the Balkan Peninsula: Their Medieval Origins |date=2008 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-5846-6 |pages=67 |language=en}}</ref> Later reigned as [[King of Dioclea]] 1081–1101.<ref name="Madgearu-2008" />
|}

== Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422) ==
{{Main|Second Bulgarian Empire}}

=== House of Asen (1185–1256) ===
{{Main|Asen dynasty}}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Coin of Peter II (IV).png|80px]]
|'''[[Peter II of Bulgaria|Peter II]]'''{{efn|Enumerated as '''Peter IV''' if the rebels [[Peter Delyan]] (Peter II) and [[Constantine Bodin]] (Peter III) are also counted.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Петър</small>
|1185–1197<br /><small>(12 years)</small>
|Aristocrat, probably of [[Vlachs|Vlach]] origin,<ref name="Fine-1991" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> with no relation to previous monarchs.<ref name="Vasary-2005" />{{efn|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 of Bulgaria|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 ''tsar''s, in a way common for the time.<ref name="Vasary-2005" />}} [[Uprising of Asen and Peter|Revolted]] against the Byzantine Empire alongside his brother [[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|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 [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]]), with Peter ruling from [[Veliki Preslav|Preslav]].<ref name="Fine-1991" /> Murdered in 1197.<ref name="Various-2021">{{Cite book |last=Various |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gN4zEAAAQBAJ |title=Routledge Library Editions: Historiography |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-26808-6 |pages=111 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Coin of Ivan Asen I.png|80px]]
|'''[[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen I]]'''<br /><small>Иван Асен</small>
|{{Circa}} 1188–1196<br /><small>(c. 8 years)</small>
|Brother of Peter II;<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> co-leader in their [[Uprising of Asen and Peter|revolt]] against the Byzantine Empire. Made senior co-ruler at some point between 1187 and early 1190.<ref name="Fine-1991" /> Murdered in 1196.<ref name="Various-2021" />
|-
|[[File:Leaden seal of Kaloyan.png|80px]]
|'''[[Kaloyan of Bulgaria|Kaloyan]]''' (Ivan I)<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />{{efn|In his formal titulature, Kaloyan referred to himself by the name ''Kaloyan'' (rendered in Latin as ''Calojoannes'').<ref name="CurtaFlorin"/> 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".<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Калоян (Иван)</small>
|1196–1207<br /><small>(9 years)</small>
|Brother of Peter II and Ivan Asen I.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> 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, Latin Emperor|Baldwin I]]). Believed to have been murdered.<ref name="Detrez-2014" />
|-
|[[File:Seal of Boril.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Boril of Bulgaria|Boril]]'''<br /><small>Борил</small>
|1207–1218<br /><small>(11 years)</small>
|Son of a sister of Peter II, Ivan Asen I and Kaloyan.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /><ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> 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 [[Bogomilism|Bogomilist]] sect in Bulgaria. Deposed and blinded by his cousin Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Detrez-2014" />
|-
|[[File:Coin of Ivan Asen II.png|80px]]
|'''[[Ivan Asen II]]'''<br /><small>Иван Асен</small>
|1218–1241<br /><small>(23 years)</small>
|Son of Ivan Asen I.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Overthrew Boril.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Ivan Asen II aspired to make himself the ruler of a joint Bulgarian-Byzantine Empire<ref name="Various-2021" /> and his reign saw the Second Bulgarian Empire reach its greatest extent.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> 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.<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> Re-established the independent [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church]] under a [[Patriarch of All Bulgaria|patriarch]] in 1235.<ref name="Detrez-2014" />
|-
|
|'''[[Kaliman Asen I of Bulgaria|Kaliman Asen I]]'''<br /><small>Калиман Асен</small>
|1241–1246<br /><small>(5 years)</small>
|Son of Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession. Murdered after a reign of five years.<ref name="Petkov-2008" />
|-
|[[File:Michael-Asen-Kastoria.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Michael II Asen|Michael Asen I]]'''{{efn|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".<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Мицо Асен</small>
|1246–1256<br /><small>(10 years)</small>
|Son of Ivan Asen II.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession.<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> 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]].<ref name="Curta-2021b">{{Cite book |last=Curta |first=Florin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f85JEAAAQBAJ |title=The Routledge Handbook of East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500-1300 |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-47624-8 |language=en |chapter=New Powers–Serbia and Bulgaria}}</ref>
|-
|
|'''[[Kaliman Asen II of Bulgaria|Kaliman Asen II]]'''<br /><small>Калиман Асен</small>
|1256<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
|Grandson of [[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen I]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Proclaimed emperor after Michael Asen I's death.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Married his predecessor's widow but was ineffective at maintaining power<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> and died within a year.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> His death extinguished the male line of the House of Asen.<ref name="Curta-2021b" />
|}

=== Successors of the Asenids (1256–1280) ===
The end of the male line of the House of Asen plunged Bulgaria into a chaotic period of fragmentation and civil wars between numerous lines of claimants.<ref name="Curta-2021b" />

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Coin of Mitso Asen.png|80px]]
|'''[[Mitso Asen of Bulgaria|Mitso Asen]]'''<br /><small>Мицо Асен</small>
|1256–1263<br /><small>(7 years)</small>
|Husband of [[Maria Asenina of Bulgaria|Maria Asenina]], a daughter of [[Ivan Asen II]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Proclaimed emperor in southeastern Bulgaria either in opposition to Kaliman Asen II<ref name="Petkov-2008" /> or after his death. Unclear if he ever gained control of the capital of [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]],<ref name="Fine-1994" /> though he may have held it briefly<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> in 1256–1257.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Later established himself in the lands surrounding [[Mesembria]]. Gave Mesembria to the Byzantine Empire in 1263 after attacks by [[Konstantin Tih|Constantine I Tih]], in return being allowed to live out his life in exile in [[Anatolia]].<ref name="Fine-1994" />
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Rostislav Mikhailovich (crop).jpg|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Rostislav Mikhailovich]]<br /><small>Ростислав Михайлович<br />(''Pretender in [[Vidin]]'')</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1257–1262<br /><small>(5 years)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Father-in-law of Michael Asen I and Kaliman Asen II.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Invaded Bulgaria, though was unable to take the capital of [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]]. Occupied [[Vidin]] and governed the surrounding area as self-proclaimed Bulgarian emperor, supported by the [[Kingdom of Hungary]].<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Left landless after an attack by [[Konstantin Tih|Constantine I Tih]] in 1260, though restored with Hungarian aid in 1261, claiming the same title again until his death in 1262.<ref name="Fine-1994" />
|-
|[[File:KonstantinTih.jpg|80px]]
|[[Konstantin Tih|'''Constantine I''' Tih]]{{efn|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.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Константин Асен</small>
|1257–1277<br /><small>(20 years)</small>
|Elected emperor in [[Veliko Tarnovo|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.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Ultimately victorious in the civil wars of the 1250s and 1260s.<ref name="Curta-2021b" /> Later remarried to [[Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene]], a niece of the Byzantine emperor [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Defeated and killed in battle by the peasant rebel [[Ivaylo of Bulgaria|Ivaylo]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /><ref name="Vasary-2005">{{Cite book |last=Vásáry |first=István |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7DJWyg97IggC |title=Cumans and Tatars: Oriental Military in the Pre-Ottoman Balkans, 1185–1365 |date=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-44408-8 |pages=36, 80–82, 89, 95–96 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Coin of Jacob Svetoslav.png|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Jacob Svetoslav]]<br /><small>Яков Светослав<br />(''Pretender in [[Vidin]]'')</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1266–{{Circa}} 1273<br /><small>(c. 7 years)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Noble of princely Russian origin.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> Initially loyal to Constantine I Tih, fighting on his side with the title of ''[[Despot (court title)|despot]]'' in the wars against Hungary (1261) and the Byzantine Empire (1262–1263). Came in possession of [[Vidin]] {{Circa}} 1263 and gradually fell under Hungarian suzerainty. Referred to as "Bulgarian emperor" in Hungarian documents from 1266 onwards. Asserted his independence from Hungary {{Circa}} 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 {{Circa}} 1275.<ref name="Fine-1994" />
|-
|
|'''[[Michael Tih|Michael Asen II]]'''<br /><small>Михаил Асен</small>
|1277–1279<br /><small>(2 years)</small>
|Son of Constantine I; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1272–1277.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession, his mother [[Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene]] ruled as regent.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> In 1278 made co-ruler with [[Ivaylo of Bulgaria|Ivaylo]], who married Maria.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Deposed by the Byzantine-supported [[Ivan Asen III of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen III]] and sent as a captive to Constantinople.<ref name="Vasary-2005" />
|-
|
|"'''[[Ivaylo of Bulgaria|Ivaylo]]'''"{{efn|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.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Ивайло</small>
|1278–1279<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|An illiterate swineherd<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> 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,<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> who married him on the condition that Michael Asen II's rights continued to be respected.<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Escaped to the [[Golden Horde]] in exile after [[Ivan Asen III of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen III]] took control of Bulgaria. Killed by [[Nogai Khan]] after requests from the Byzantines.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Maiorov |first1=Alexander V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pmBCEAAAQBAJ |title=The Routledge Handbook of the Mongols and Central-Eastern Europe |last2=Hautala |first2=Roman |date=2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-41745-6 |pages=203 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|
|'''[[Ivan Asen III of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen III]]'''<br /><small>Иван Асен</small>
|1279–1280<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|Son of [[Mitso Asen of Bulgaria|Mitso Asen]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> 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.<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Fled to the Byzantine Empire after a brief reign due to fearing the ambitions of the aristocrat [[George I of Bulgaria|George Terter]], whereafter the Bulgarians proclaimed George Terter emperor in his stead.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
|}

=== House of Terter (1280–1292, first time) ===
{{Main|Terter dynasty}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Coin of George Terter I.png|80px]]
|'''[[George I of Bulgaria|George Terter I]]'''<br /><small>Георги Тертер</small>
|1280–1292<br /><small>(12 years)</small>
|Leading member of the Bulgarian aristocracy. Wishing to safeguard the position of Ivan Asen III, the Byzantine emperor [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]] arranged for George Terter to divorce his wife and marry [[Kira Maria Asenina of Bulgaria|Kira Maria Asenina]] (Ivan Asen III's sister). Despite this, George Terter plotted against Ivan Asen III, who eventually fled to the Byzantines. The Bulgarians thereafter proclaimed George Terter emperor.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Overthrown by [[Nogai Khan]] of the [[Golden Horde]] and fled to Byzantium.<ref name="Hupchick-2002">{{Cite book |last=Hupchick |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sQGIDAAAQBAJ |title=The Balkans: From Constantinople to Communism |date=2002 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-312-29913-2 |pages=84–85 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Vasary-2005"/>
|}

=== House of Smilets (1292–1299) ===
{{Main|Smilets dynasty}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|
|'''[[Smilets of Bulgaria|Smilets]]'''<br /><small>Смилец</small>
|1292–1298<br /><small>(6 years)</small>
|Member of a prominent Bulgarian noble family<ref name="Vasary-2005" /> though without known connections to previous Bulgarian royalty.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Husband of [[Smiltsena Palaiologina]], a niece of the Byzantine emperor [[Michael VIII Palaiologos]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Made emperor of Bulgaria (as a puppet ruler) by [[Nogai Khan]] of the [[Golden Horde]].<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" />
|-
|
|'''[[Ivan II of Bulgaria|Ivan II]]'''{{efn|Sometimes referred to as '''Ivan IV Smilets''', numbered after Ivan Asen I–III (then considered Ivan I–III) and not counting [[Kaloyan of Bulgaria|Kaloyan]] as Ivan I nor counting [[Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria|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.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Иван</small>
|1298–1299<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|Son of Smilets.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Underage at the time of his accession, Ivan II briefly succeeded his father before being deposed after [[Chaka of Bulgaria|Chaka]]'s invasion of Bulgaria.<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /> Later lived out his life in exile in the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Georgieva-2017">{{Cite journal |last=Georgieva |first=Sashka |date=2017 |title=Bulgarian-Serbian Marital Diplomacy from the End of 13th to the Beginning of 14th Century |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=642630 |journal=Историјски часопис |language=English |issue=66 |pages=85–127 |doi=10.34298/IC1766085G |issn=0350-0802|doi-access=free }}</ref> Due to the small number of sources (two documents) some historians have disputed whether Ivan II actually reigned.<ref name="Georgieva-2017" />
|}

=== House of Borjigin (1299–1300) ===
{{Main|Borjigin}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Coin of Chaka.png|80px]]
|'''[[Chaka of Bulgaria|Chaka]]'''<br /><small>Чака</small>
|1299–1300<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|Son-in-law of [[George Terter I]] and son of [[Nogai Khan]] of the [[Golden Horde]]. Invaded Bulgaria, assisted by [[Theodore Svetoslav of Bulgaria|Theodore Svetoslav]] (a son of George Terter I). Proclaimed himself as emperor of Bulgaria and achieved some recognition with Svetoslav's help. Came into conflict with the Golden Horde khan [[Toqta]] and then overthrown and strangled by Svetoslav.<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Some historians have argued that Chaka was never emperor of Bulgaria, but merely dominated it through his brother-in-law Theodore Svetoslav.<ref name="Pavlov-1999">{{Cite journal |last=Pavlov |first=Plamen |date=1999 |title=Bil li e tatarinăt Čaka bǎlgarki car? |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=204992=Историческо бъдеще |language=Bulgarian |issue=1–2 |pages=71–75 |doi=10.34298/IC1766085G |issn=0350-0802|doi-access=free }}</ref>
|}

=== House of Terter (1300–1323, second time) ===
{{Main|Terter dynasty}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Silver coin of Theodore Svetoslav.png|80px]]
|'''[[Theodore Svetoslav of Bulgaria|Theodore Svetoslav]]'''<br /><small>Тодор Светослав</small>
|1300–1322<br /><small>(22 years)</small>
|Son of George Terter I; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1285–1292.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Overthrew and strangled Chaka, with support from [[Toqta]] of the [[Golden Horde]].<ref name="Hupchick-2002" /><ref name="Vasary-2005" /> Ended the period of Mongol dominion over Bulgaria<ref name="Rosser-2012" /> and waged wars against both the Byzantine Empire and various autonomous Bulgarian nobles.<ref name="Logio-1974">{{Cite book |last=Logio |first=George Clenton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A29pAAAAMAAJ |title=Bulgaria, Past & Present |date=1974 |publisher=AMS Press |isbn=978-0-404-56133-8 |pages=307 |language=en}}</ref> Mostly successful;<ref name="Logio-1974" /> succeeding in reconsolidating the empire.<ref name="Rosser-2012" />
|-
|[[File:Coin of George Terter II.png|80px]]
|'''[[George II of Bulgaria|George Terter II]]'''<br /><small>Георги Тертер</small>
|1322–1323<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|Son of Theodore Svetoslav; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1321–1322.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Intervened in the [[Byzantine civil war of 1321–1328]]<ref name="TSvetkov-1993">{{Cite book |last=T︠S︡vetkov |first=Plamen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VR5pAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of the Balkans: A Regional Overview from a Bulgarian Perspective |date=1993 |publisher=EM Text |isbn=978-0-7734-1956-8 |pages=112, 205, 315 |language=en}}</ref> and spent much of his brief reign warring with the Byzantines, for instance recapturing [[Plovdiv]].<ref name="Fine-1994" /> His death marked the extinction of the direct Terter line.<ref name="Fine-1994" />
|}

=== House of Shishman (1323–1331) ===
{{Main|House of Shishman}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Coin of Michael Shishman.png|80px]]
|'''[[Michael Shishman of Bulgaria|Michael Asen III]]'''{{efn|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.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br /><small>Михаил Асен</small>
|1323–1330<br /><small>(7 years)</small>
|Matrilineal great-grandson of [[Ivan Asen II]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015">{{Cite journal |last=Mladjov |first=Ian |date=2015 |title=Monarchs' Names and Numbering in the Second Bulgarian State |url=http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.ojs-doi-10_18778_2084-140X_05_09 |journal=Studia Ceranea |volume=5 |pages=267–310 |doi=10.18778/2084-140X.05.09 |hdl-access=free |hdl=11089/18406}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Fine-1994" />
|-
|[[File:King John Stephen of Bulgaria 19th Century.JPG|80px]]
|'''[[Ivan Stephen of Bulgaria|Ivan Stephen]]'''<br /><small>Иван Стефан</small>
|1330–1331<br /><small>(1 year)</small>
|Son of Michael Asen III; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1323–1324.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Deposed after a brief reign in favour of his cousin [[Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria|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.<ref name="Fine-1994" />
|}

=== House of Sratsimir (1331–1422) ===
{{Main|Sratsimir dynasty}}The rulers of the House of Sratsimir, patrilineal descendants of the despot [[Sratsimir]], are in lists of monarchs often designated as part of the Shishmanid dynasty, with which they only share matrilineal descent. Through their matrilineal descent from the House of Shishman, the rulers of the House of Sratsimir were also descendants of the House of Asen.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Ivan Alexander.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria|Ivan Alexander]]'''<br /><small>Иван Александър</small>
|1331–1371<br /><small>(40 years)</small>
|Son of [[Keratsa Petritsa]], a sister of [[Michael Shishman of Bulgaria|Michael Asen III]].<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Proclaimed emperor following a ''[[coup d'état]]'' headed by elements of the Bulgarian nobility.<ref name="Fine-1994">{{Cite book |last1=Fine |first1=John V. A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC |title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest |last2=Fine |first2=John Van Antwerp |date=1994 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |isbn=978-0-472-08260-5 |pages=172–183, 269, 273–274, 366, 368, 422 |language=en}}</ref> Allied with [[Stefan Dušan]] of the [[Serbian Empire]], who was eclipsing Bulgaria's power. Managed to capture some territories from the Byzantine Empire.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> 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]].<ref name="Detrez-2014" />
|-
| style="background:LightCyan;" |[[File:Ivan Alexander with Michael Asen IV (coin).jpg|80px]]
| style="background:LightCyan;" |'''[[Michael Asen IV of Bulgaria|Michael Asen IV]]<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />'''<br /><small>Михаил Асен<br />(''Junior co-ruler'')</small>
| style="background:LightCyan;" |<small>Never ruled [[Suo jure|in his own right]]</small>
| style="background:LightCyan;" |Eldest<ref name="Andreev-1993">{{cite book |last=Andreev |first=Jordan |title=Bǎlgarija prez vtorata četvǎrt na XIV v. |publisher=Sv. Kliment Ohridski |year=1993 |location=[[Veliko Tarnovo|Veliko Tǎrnovo]] |pages=23–52, 67–75 |language=Bulgarian |id=[[OCLC]] [http://worldcat.org/oclc/69163573 69163573]}}</ref> son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1332–1355.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Led an army in the defense against an Ottoman invasion in 1354–1355, during which he was killed in battle near [[Sofia]].<ref name="Andreev-1993" />
|-
| style="background:LightCyan;" |[[File:Ivan Asen IV.png|80px]]
| style="background:LightCyan;" |'''[[Ivan Asen IV of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen IV]]<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />'''<br /><small>Иван Асен<br />(''Junior co-ruler'')</small>
| style="background:LightCyan;" |<small>Never ruled [[Suo jure|in his own right]]</small>
| style="background:LightCyan;" |Son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1337–1349.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Led an army in the defense against an Ottoman invasion in 1349, during which he was killed in battle near [[Sofia]].<ref name="Andreev-1993" />
|-
|[[File:Ivan Sratsimir portrait 1.JPG|80px]]
|'''[[Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria|Ivan Sratsimir]]'''<br /><small>Иван Срацимир<br />(''Ruling in [[Tsardom of Vidin|Vidin]]'')</small>
|1356–{{Circa}} 1397<br /><small>(c. 41 years)</small>
|Son of Ivan Alexander; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1337–1356.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Granted [[Vidin]] and the surrounding lands by his father as autonomous emperor while his younger brother [[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|Ivan Shishman]] inherited [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]].<ref name="Detrez-2014" /> Immediately tried to take control of all of Bulgaria after his father's death, though was defeated by Ivan Shishman.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> The [[Tsardom of Vidin|Vidin empire]] was largely conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1396/1397 and Ivan Sratsimir was deposed and taken prisoner.<ref name="Detrez-2014" /><ref name="Pavlov-2009" />
|-
|[[File:53 IoSisiman.JPG|80px]]
|[[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|'''Ivan Shishman''']]<br /><small>Иван Шишман<br />(''Ruling in [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]]'')</small>
|1371–1395<br /><small>(24 years)</small>
|Son of Ivan Alexander; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1356–1371.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Made the heir to [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]] over the elder Ivan Sratsimir due to the influence of his mother [[Sarah-Theodora]]. Fought off Ivan Sratsimir's attempt at capturing Tarnovo.<ref name="Fine-1994" /> 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,<ref name="Fine-1994" /> followed by [[Nikopol, Bulgaria|Nikopol]] and Ivan Shishman's other remaining territory in 1395. Allegedly murdered by the Ottomans after the capture of Nikopol.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Андреев |first1=Йордан (Jordan Andreev) |title=Българските ханове и царе |last2=Лалков |first2=Милчо (Milcho Lalkov) |publisher=Абагар (Abagar) |year=1996 |isbn=954-427-216-X |location=Велико Търново ([[Veliko Tarnovo]]) |pages=286 |language=bg |trans-title=The Bulgarian Khans and Tsars}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:LightCyan;" |[[File:Ivan Asen V.jpg|80px]]
| style="background:LightCyan;" |'''[[Ivan Asen V of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen V]]<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />'''<br /><small>Иван Асен<br />(''Junior co-ruler'')</small>
| style="background:LightCyan;" |<small>Never ruled [[Suo jure|in his own right]]</small>
| style="background:LightCyan;" |Son of Ivan Alexander; junior co-emperor 1356–{{Circa}} 1388.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Recorded to have presided over [[Council of Tarnovo (1360)|church synods at Tarnovo]] (1360) together with his father and [[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|Ivan Shishman]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Златарски |first=Васил (Vasil Zlatarski) |title=България през XIV-XV век (Bulgaria during the 14th and 15th Centuries) |publisher=Изток–Запад (Anubis) |year=2005 |isbn=954-321-172-8 |pages=144–148 |language=bg |author-link=Vasil Zlatarski}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #93C572; text-align: center;" | ''Bulgaria was conquered by the [[Ottoman Empire]] in the [[Bulgarian–Ottoman wars]] (1345–1396), resulting in the fall of the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]]''
|-
|[[File:Constantine of Vidin.jpg|80px]]
|[[Constantine II of Bulgaria|'''Constantine II''']]<br /><small>Константин{{efn|All known contemporary documents refer to Constantine II merely by the name ''Constantine''. It is possible that he (like [[Konstantin Tih|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.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />}}<br />(''Ruling in [[Tsardom of Vidin|Vidin]]'')</small>
|{{Circa}} 1397–1422<br /><small>(c. 25 years)</small>
|Son of Ivan Sratsimir; previously junior co-emperor {{Circa}} 1395–1397.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> Remained in control of at least some parts of his father's domains around Vidin,<ref name="Mladjov-2015" /> probably initially as an Ottoman vassal,<ref name="Pavlov-2009" /> for most of the time until his death in 1422.<ref name="Mladjov-2015" />
|}
== Pretenders during Ottoman rule (1422–1878) ==
{{See also|Ottoman Bulgaria}}Following the gradual conquest of Bulgaria in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Ottomans incorporated the Bulgarian lands into the vast province of [[Rumelia Eyalet|Rumelia]].<ref name=":AGO">{{Cite book |last1=A ́goston |first1=Ga ́bor |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QjzYdCxumFcC |title=Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire |last2=Masters |first2=Bruce Alan |date=2010 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-1-4381-1025-7 |pages=99 |language=en}}</ref> In the late 16th century, the new province of [[Silistra Eyalet|Silistra]] was created due to persistent northern attacks from the [[Cossacks]].<ref name=":AGO" /> Later on, much of modern-day northern Bulgaria was organized into the [[Danube vilayet]], which in terms of borders closely corresponded to the succeeding autonomous [[Principality of Bulgaria]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gibiec |first1=Magdalena |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9TmvDwAAQBAJ |title=The City and the Process of Transition from Early Modern Times to the Present |last2=Ziątkowski |first2=Leszek |last3=Wiśniewska |first3=Dorota |date=2019 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-5275-3963-1 |pages=80 |language=en}}</ref> Like under the period of Byzantine rule, the Ottoman authorities were sometimes faced with Bulgarian uprisings aimed at independence, at times also involving the proclamation of new Bulgarian monarchs.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Prince fruzhin of bulgaria.jpg|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Fruzhin]]<br /><small>Фружин</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1422–1460<br /><small>(38 years)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Son of Ivan Shishman. Fled to Hungary after the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire, where he was made the ruler of the [[Temes County|County of Temes]]. His titular claim to the Bulgarian throne was recognized by the Hungarian king [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund]] (1387–1437).<ref name="bakalov">{{cite book |last=Бакалов |first=Георги |title=Електронно издание&nbsp;– История на България |author2=Милен Куманов |publisher=Труд, Сирма |year=2003 |isbn=954528613X |location=София |language=Bulgarian |chapter=Фружин (неизв.-около 1460)}}</ref> Fruzhin was counted as emperor in some later Bulgarian sources.<ref name="Petkov-2008">{{Cite book |last=Petkov |first=Kiril |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d0OwCQAAQBAJ |title=The Voices of Medieval Bulgaria, Seventh-Fifteenth Century: The Records of a Bygone Culture |date=2008 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-474-3375-0 |pages=12, 154, 220, 262, 532 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Ivan Shishman II]]{{efn|Enumerated after [[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|Ivan Shishman]] (1371–1395). He is sometimes alternatively referred to as '''Shishman II''','''<ref name="MFVuu">{{Cite book |last=Mutafchieva |first=Vera P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7HU9AAAAMAAJ |title=Bulgaria's Past |date=1969 |publisher=Sofia-Press |pages=76 |language=en}}</ref>''' or (also counting [[Shishman of Vidin]], who did not reign as ''tsar'') as '''Ivan Shishman III<ref name="Georgescu-1991" />''' or '''Shishman III'''.<ref name=":VTK">{{Cite book |last=Bogdanov |first=Ivan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mzk9AAAAMAAJ |title=Veliko Turnovo |date=1967 |publisher=Foreign Languages Press |pages=50 |language=en}}</ref>}}<!-- As explained in the note, there is no consistent name used for this pretender in the sources. The designation "Ivan Shishman II" works best when taking into account the overall enumeration system used in this list. --><br /><small>Иван Шишман</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1598<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |Allegedly a descendant of the House of Sratsimir.<ref name="Haskell-1966">{{Cite book |last=Haskell |first=Arnold Lionel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iNAJAQAAIAAJ |title=Heroes and Roses: A View of Bulgaria |date=1966 |publisher=Darton, Longman & Todd |pages=22 |language=en}}</ref> Proclaimed ''tsar'' during the [[First Tarnovo Uprising]] (1598)<ref name="Georgescu-1991">{{Cite book |last=Georgescu |first=Vlad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khtpAAAAMAAJ |title=The Romanians: A History |date=1991 |publisher=Ohio State University Press |isbn=978-0-8142-0511-2 |pages=55 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Haskell-1966" /> and briefly ruled at [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]].<ref name="Georgescu-1991" /> The first attempt at mass liberation in Bulgaria, this uprising was eventually crushed by the Ottomans.<ref name="Haskell-1966" />
|-
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[File:Rstratimirovic.jpg|80px]]
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |[[Rostislav Stratimirovic]]<br /><small>Ростислав Стратимирович</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |1686<br /><small>(less than a year)</small>
| style="background:#E6E6E6;" |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.<ref name="TSvetkov-1993" /><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Khristov |first1=Khristo Angelov |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5pl4wQ81_0kC |title=A Short History of Bulgaria |last2=Kosev |first2=Dimitŭr Konstantinov |last3=Angelov |first3=Dimitŭr Simeonov |date=1963 |publisher=Foreign Languages Press |pages=122 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== Principality (1878–1908) and Kingdom of Bulgaria (1908–1946) ==
{{Main|Principality of Bulgaria|Kingdom of Bulgaria}}

=== House of Battenberg (1879–1886) ===
{{Main|Battenberg family}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Alexander I of Bulgaria by Dimitar Karastoyanov.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Alexander of Battenberg|Alexander I]]'''<br /><small>Александър I</small>
|29 April 1879 –<br />7 September 1886<br /><small>(7 years and 131 days)</small>
|A new Bulgarian state was established through the treaties of [[Treaty of San Stefano|San Stefano]] and [[Treaty of Berlin (1878)|Berlin]] (1878) following the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)|Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878]]. The first [[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|National Assembly]] elected{{efn|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.<ref name="Perry-1993">{{Cite book |last=Perry |first=Duncan M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=28nQRUIN7qIC |title=Stefan Stambolov and the Emergence of Modern Bulgaria, 1870-1895 |date=1993 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-1313-7 |pages=42 |language=en}}</ref> In addition to Alexander, other European royalty considered included [[Prince Valdemar of Denmark]], [[Prince Henry XXV of Reuss]], and [[Carol I of Romania|Prince Carol of Romania]].<ref name="Perry-1993" /> 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.<ref name="Perry-1993" />}} Alexander of Battenberg, a German prince, as monarch.<ref name="Dimitrov-2001">{{Cite book |last=Dimitrov |first=Vesselin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lUanwL-q-bUC |title=Bulgaria: The Uneven Transition |date=2001 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-26729-8 |pages=vii |language=en}}</ref> Since Bulgaria was stipulated to remain an autonomous vassal state of the [[Ottoman Empire]], Alexander used the title ''knyaz'' (prince) rather than ''tsar''.<ref name="Tarnovo Const.-1879">Конституция на Княжество България от 1879 г. (Tarnovo Constitution), Article 38</ref> Deposed in a [[1886 Bulgarian coup d'état|coup]] led by pro-Russian army officers. Briefly reinstated following a counter-coup before abdicating the throne.<ref name="Dimitrov-2001" />
|}

=== House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1887–1946) ===
{{Main|House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Bulgarian royal family}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#D4F2CE;"
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:6%;" | Image
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:18%" | Name
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:14%;" | Reign
! style="background:#D4F2CE; width:62%;" | Succession and notes
|-
|[[File:Zar Ferdinand Bulgarien.jpg|80px]]
|'''[[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria|Ferdinand I]]'''<br /><small>Фердинанд I</small>
|7 July 1887 –<br />3 October 1918<br /><small>(31 years and 87 days)</small>
|Chosen as ''knyaz'' (prince)<ref name="Jones-2022">{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Barry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-RCfEAAAQBAJ |title=Dictionary of World Biography: Ninth edition |date=2022 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=978-1-76046-552-0 |pages=99, 306, 789 |language=en}}</ref> after [[Prince Valdemar of Denmark]] declined the throne after being approached.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Evans |first=Stanley George |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BENpAAAAMAAJ |title=A Short History of Bulgaria |date=1960 |publisher=Lawrence & Wishart |pages=140 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Jones-2022" />
|-
|[[File:BASA-3K-7-342-28-Boris III of Bulgaria.jpeg|80px]]
|'''[[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]]'''<br /><small>Борѝс III</small>
|3 October 1918 –<br />28 August 1943<br /><small>(24 years and 330 days)</small>
|Son of Ferdinand I. Succeeded to the throne after his father's abdication.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> Bestowed near-dictatorial powers by a pro-monarchical regime in 1935.<ref name="Crowe-2018">{{Cite book |last=Crowe |first=David M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rR-yDwAAQBAJ |title=The Holocaust: Roots, History, and Aftermath |date=2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-96498-5 |pages=299–300 |language=en}}</ref> Aligned with [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]] (1939–1945),<ref name="Jones-2022" /><ref name="Beorn-2018">{{Cite book |last=Beorn |first=Waitman Wade |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_VBDDwAAQBAJ |title=The Holocaust in Eastern Europe: At the Epicenter of the Final Solution |date=2018 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4742-3222-7 |pages=196 |language=en}}</ref> mainly out of a desire to increase Bulgarian territory.<ref name="Beorn-2018" /> Bulgaria participated in the invasions of [[Invasion of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] and [[German invasion of Greece|Greece]],<ref name="Crowe-2018" /> though Boris refused to send Bulgarian soldiers to aid the [[Operation Barbarossa|German invasion of Russia]].<ref name="Jones-2022" /> His government oversaw [[the Holocaust in Bulgaria]].<ref name="Crowe-2018" /><ref name="YUP-2001">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=The Holocaust Encyclopedia |publisher=Yale University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nPbr0XzlTzcC |date=2001 |editor-last1=Laqueur |editor-first1=Walter |pages=98–104 |language=en |isbn=978-0-300-13811-5 |editor-first2=Judith Tydor |editor-last2=Baumel}}</ref><ref name="Stone-2004">{{Cite book |last=Stone |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0h_uCwAAQBAJ |title=The Historiography of the Holocaust |date=2004 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-230-52450-7 |pages=459–460 |language=en}}</ref>{{efn|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.<ref name="Stone-2004" /> Under Boris III's regime, thousands of Jews were deported to Germany from Bulgarian-occupied lands in [[Thrace]] and [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]],<ref name="Stone-2004" /> resulting in 11,343 deaths.<ref name="YUP-2001" /> It was further intended to also deport the Jews of Bulgaria proper, though the regime abandoned these plans following intense public outcry.<ref name="Stone-2004" /> 48,000 Jews of Bulgaria's pre-war territory consequently survived the Holocaust,<ref name="YUP-2001" /><ref name="Stone-2004" /> though were subjected to other forms of discrimination, including being forbidden from holding public office,<ref name="Crowe-2018" /> forcible internal deportation, and dispossession.<ref name="YUP-2001" /> Bulgaria was the only country to sign a written agreement "to supply Jews to Germany".<ref name="Crowe-2018" /> [[Romani people]] were also subject to discrimination, being forced to register for forced labor and being barred from marrying Bulgarians.<ref name="Crowe-2018" />}}<!-- For oppositions to this line, see the attached note; this does not appear to be a topic that is much disputed among historians --> Died in mysterious circumstances shortly after a visit to [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref name="Jones-2022" />
|-
|[[File:BASA-3K-15-302-26-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo.jpeg|80px]] <!--It is in this context preferrable to use an image of Simeon close in time to when he actually reigned; he did not look as he does now when he was tsar-->
|'''[[Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha|Simeon II]]'''<br /><small>Симеон II</small>
|28 August 1943 –<br />15 September 1946<br /><small>(3 years and 18 days)</small>
|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<ref name="Jones-2022" /> through a [[1946 Bulgarian republic referendum|referendum]]<ref name="East-2014">{{Cite book |last1=East |first1=Roger |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gJG3AwAAQBAJ |title=Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders |last2=Thomas |first2=Richard J. |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-63939-8 |language=en |chapter=Bulgaria}}</ref> by [[Georgi Dimitrov]]'s communist government. Went to exile in Spain and later returned to Bulgaria as a politician.<ref name="Jones-2022" /> Has never formally renounced his claim to the throne.<ref name="East-2014" />{{efn|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.<ref name="East-2014" />}} Simeon's party [[National Movement for Stability and Progress|NDSV]] was victorious in the [[2001 Bulgarian parliamentary election]] and Simeon served as [[Prime Minister of Bulgaria]] 2001–2005.<ref name="Jones-2022" />
|}

== Family trees <!--The family relationships shown in these are referenced in the list above--> ==
{{chart top|collapsed=yes|Simplified family tree of the monarchs of the First Bulgarian Empire (803–1018){{efn|Omitting earlier monarchs since their family relationships are too uncertain to construct a family tree}}}}
{{Tree chart/start|align=center|summary=Bulgarian royal family tree (First Empire)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Kr| |Du| |Dit|Kr='''[[Krum]]'''<br/>803–814|Du='''[[Dukum of Bulgaria|Dukum]]'''<br/>814|Dit='''[[Ditzeng of Bulgaria|Ditzeng]]'''<br/>814–815}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Om|Om='''[[Omurtag of Bulgaria|Omurtag]]'''<br/>815–831}}
{{Tree chart| | | |,|-|^|-|.|}}
{{Tree chart| | |Zv| |Mal|Zv=[[Zvinitsa]]|Mal='''[[Malamir of Bulgaria|Malamir]]'''<br/>831–836}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | |Pre|Pre='''[[Presian I of Bulgaria|Presian I]]'''<br/>836–852}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | |Bor|Bor='''[[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]]'''<br/>852–889}}
{{Tree chart| |,|-|^|-|.|}}
{{Tree chart|Vl| |Sim|Vl='''[[Vladimir of Bulgaria|Vladimir]]'''<br/>889–893|Sim='''[[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]]'''<br/>893–927}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Pet|Pet='''[[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]]'''<br/>927–969}}
{{Tree chart| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | |,|-|-|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | |Bor| |Rom| | |Sam| |Ar|Bor='''[[Boris II of Bulgaria|Boris II]]'''<br/>969–977|Rom='''[[Roman of Bulgaria|Roman]]'''<br/>977–997|Sam='''[[Samuel of Bulgaria|Samuel]]'''<br/>997–1014|Ar=[[Aron of Bulgaria|Aron]]}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |!}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | |Ga| |Iv|Ga='''[[Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria|Gavril Radomir]]'''<br/>1014–1015|Iv='''[[Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria|Ivan Vladislav]]'''<br/>1015–1018}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | |Pr| |Al|Pr=[[Presian (son of Ivan Vladislav)|Presian II]]|Al=[[Alusian of Bulgaria|Alusian]]}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
{{chart bottom}}

{{chart top|collapsed=yes|Simplified family tree of the monarchs of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1422)}}
{{Tree chart/start|summary=Bulgarian royal family tree (Second Empire)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Iv| | |Pet| | |Kal| | | |Sis|Iv='''[[Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen I]]'''<br/>1188–1196|Pet='''[[Peter II of Bulgaria|Peter II]]'''<br/>1185–1197|Kal='''[[Kaloyan of Bulgaria|Kaloyan]]'''<br/>1196–1207|Sis=[Sister]}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | | |!}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Iv| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Al| | |Bor|Iv='''[[Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen II]]'''<br/>1218–1241|Bor='''[[Boril of Bulgaria|Boril]]'''<br/>1207–1218|Al=Alexander}}
{{Tree chart| |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | |!}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!| | | |,|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | | | | | |!}}
{{Tree chart|Ela| |Kal| |Mic| |Ir| |Con| | | | | |Ann| |Mar|y|Mit| |Kal2|Kal='''[[Kaliman Asen I of Bulgaria|Kaliman Asen I]]'''<br/>1241–1246|Mic='''[[Michael II Asen|Michael Asen I]]'''<br/>1246–1256|Mar=''[[Maria Asenina of Bulgaria|Maria]]''|Mit='''[[Mitso Asen of Bulgaria|Mitso Asen]]'''<br/>1256–1263|Ela=''[[Elena Asenina of Bulgaria|Elena]]''|Ir=''[[Irene Komnene Palaiologina|Irene]]''|Con=[[Constantine Palaiologos (half-brother of Michael VIII)|Constantine]]|Ann=''[[Anna-Teodora]]''|Kal2='''[[Kaliman Asen II of Bulgaria|Kaliman Asen II]]'''<br/>1256}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|'| | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | |,|-|^|-|.}}
{{Tree chart|Ira|~|Con|y|MaP|~|Iyv| |Sm|y|Smi| |Dau| |Iv| |Kir|~|Geo|y|Mar|Ira=''[[Irene Doukaina Laskarina|Irene]]''|Con='''[[Konstantin Tih|Constantine I]]'''<br/>1257–1277|MaP=''[[Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene|Maria]]''|Iyv='''[[Ivaylo of Bulgaria|Ivaylo]]'''<br/>1278–1279|Dau=[Daughter]|Iv='''[[Ivan Asen III of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen III]]'''<br/>1279–1280|Kir=''[[Kira Maria Asenina of Bulgaria|Kira Maria]]''|Geo='''[[George I of Bulgaria|George Terter I]]'''<br/>1280–1292|Mar=''Maria''|Sm=''[[Smiltsena Palaiologina|Smiltsena]]''|Smi='''[[Smilets of Bulgaria|Smilets]]'''<br/>1292–1298}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | |Mic| | | | | | | | | |Iv| |Mic3| |Ker| | | | | | | |Th| |Ela|~|Chk|Mic='''[[Michael Tih|Michael Asen II]]'''<br/>1277–1279|Mic3='''[[Michael Shishman of Bulgaria|Michael Asen III]]'''<br/>1323–1330|Ker=''[[Keratsa Petritsa]]''|Chk='''[[Chaka of Bulgaria|Chaka]]'''<br/>1299–1300|Ela=''Elena''|Th='''[[Theodore Svetoslav of Bulgaria|Theodore Svetoslav]]'''<br/>1300–1322|Iv='''[[Ivan II of Bulgaria|Ivan II]]'''<br/>1298–1299}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | | | | | | | |!}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |IvS| |IvA| | | | | | | |Geo|IvS='''[[Ivan Stephen of Bulgaria|Ivan Stephen]]'''<br/>1330–1331|IvA='''[[Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria|Ivan Alexander]]'''<br/>1331–1371|Geo='''[[George II of Bulgaria|George Terter II]]'''<br/>1322–1323}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Mic| |IvS| |Iv4| |IvH| |Iv5|Mic='''[[Michael Asen IV of Bulgaria|Michael Asen IV]]'''<br/>co-ruler|IvS='''[[Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria|Ivan Sratsimir]]'''<br/>1356–1397|Iv4='''[[Ivan Asen IV of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen IV]]'''<br/>co-ruler|IvH='''[[Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria|Ivan Shishman]]'''<br/>1371–1395|Iv5='''[[Ivan Asen V of Bulgaria|Ivan Asen V]]'''<br/>co-ruler}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Con| | | | | |Fru|Fru=[[Fruzhin]]|Con='''[[Constantine II of Bulgaria|Constantine II]]'''<br/>1397–1422}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
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{{chart top|collapsed=yes|Simplified family tree of the monarchs of the Principality (1878–1908) and Kingdom (1908–1946) of Bulgaria}}
{{Tree chart/start|align=center|summary=Bulgarian royal family tree (Third State)}}
{{Tree chart|Al| |Fer|Al='''[[Alexander of Battenberg|Alexander I]]'''<br/>1879–1886|Fer='''[[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria|Ferdinand I]]'''<br/>1886–1918}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Bor|Bor='''[[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]]'''<br/>1918–1943}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Sim|Sim='''[[Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha|Simeon II]]'''<br/>1943–1946}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
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== See also ==

* [[History of Bulgaria]]
* [[List of heads of the state of Bulgaria]]
* [[List of heads of government of Bulgaria]]
* [[Coronation of the Bulgarian monarch]]
* [[List of Bulgarian royal consorts]]
* [[List of rulers of Volga Bulgaria]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
<references />

{{Bulgarian monarchs}}
{{Bulgaria-related lists}}
{{Lists of historical monarchs of modern countries}}

[[Category:Lists of monarchs in Europe|Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Bulgaria history-related lists|Monarchs]]
[[Category:Lists of khans|Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Lists of Bulgarian people|Monarchs]]
[[Category:Monarchs of the Bulgars| ]]