Founder of the House of Balsha

Balša or Balsha was a provincial lord of the Zeta in ca. 1362.

Life

He was a nobleman and military commander during the rule of Emperor Du&scaronan the Mighty (r. 1331-1355) but managed to expand his power after the death of Du&scaronan (20 December 1355) and gained control of the island of Mljet. He began by taking lands previously held by Lord &Zcaronarko, in Lower Zeta (south of Lake Skadar, and is then recognized as a "provincial lord" in charters of Emperor Uro&scaron the Weak (r. 1355-1371). In 1362 his sons defeated and killed Head of Upper Zeta Ðura&scaron Ilijic and expanded further into Upper Zeta. He is believed to have died by this time.

He had three sons, Ðurad, Stracimir and Bal&scarona II, two of whom ruled the Principality of Zeta: Ðurad I and Bal&scarona II. He had a daughter Voisava Balsha who married Karl Thopia.