Despotate of Lovech

Despotate of Lovech
Деспотство Ловеч (Bulgarian)
Despotstvo Lovech (Bulgarian)
1330–1446
Coat of arms of the Sratsimir dynasty in the 14th century
Coat of arms (14th century)
StatusDespotate
Capital
and largest city
Lovech
43°08′05″N 24°43′02″E / 43.13472°N 24.71722°E / 43.13472; 24.71722
Common languagesMiddle Bulgarian
Religion
Bulgarian Orthodoxy
GovernmentMonarchy
Despot 
• 1330–1371
Ivan Alexander
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Appointment of Ivan Alexander
1330
• Conquest by the Ottomans
1446
CurrencyVarious coins
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Second Bulgarian Empire
Ottoman Empire
Today part ofBulgaria

The Despotate of Lovech (Bulgarian: Деспотство Ловеч, romanizedDespotstvo Lovech), was a Bulgarian state, covering parts of the territory of what is now Lovech Province, formed in 1330 after Ivan Alexander was appointed to govern Lovech, the capital of the despotate, and the nearby area around the town. It was dissolved after the fall of the Lovech Fortress in 1446 to the Ottomans.

The state was the last independent Bulgarian state after 1396, before its conquest by the Ottoman Empire. It was ruled by the Sratsimir dynasty.