[1] His father, despot Dejan ruled Kumanovo with a district spanning from Preševo to Velbazhd (Kyustendil).

He began his office in circa 1365, and ruled alongside his mother and younger brother Constantine for some years.

His cousin gave him the title of Despot, as had done his father before him (this is attested in sources dating to 1373).

[3] After the Battle of Maritsa, the two brothers became Ottoman vassals as the Mrnjavčevićs were defeated.

They, however, continued to rule their region as a semi-independent state, and managed to further expand their father's district, taking territory from Jovan Oliver.