Doushan

Also known as: Doushan the Powerful / Emperor Doushan / Serbian Tsar Doushan / Tsar Doushan / Tsar Doushan the Mighty / the Serbian tsar / the illustrious Tsar Doushan the Mighty · Family: Serbians · Role: emperor · First appears: Chapter IV · Kralyevitch Marko; or, the Royal Prince Marko · Part 1

In Chapter IV · Kralyevitch Marko; or, the Royal Prince Marko, Doushan entrusted his young son Ourosh to Marko as he approached death. Another ballad says he bequeathed the crown to King Voukashin for seven years, with the rule then to pass to Ourosh; after Doushan’s death, the succession was uncertain.

In Chapter VIII · The Marriage of Tsar Doushan the Mighty, Doushan sought Roksanda’s hand from King Michael, who consented and arranged their betrothal by couriers. Doushan sent Theodor to arrange the wedding and inspect the bride. Though King Michael said Doushan could bring as many wedding guests as he wished, he asked him not to bring his nephews Voukashin (son of Voin) and Petrashin. Doushan vowed to have them hanged after the festivities, then assembled his wedding procession and set out.

At Ledyen, Doushan protected Milosh Voinovitch from a crowd, promised to ennoble him if he defeated the Venetian king’s champion, and rewarded him with gold after his victories. Milosh completed the tests, brought Roksanda to Doushan, and was eventually revealed as his nephew.