Stefan Uroš V was not able to sustain the great empire created by his father, or limit the independence of the powerful nobles.

Although he was given the title of Despot by Emperor Uroš in 1355, his steady power increase enabled him to crown himself King of Serbs and Greeks in 1365, and extend his claims over west and south Macedonia, Kosovo, and Raška.

Since the Mrnjavčević family desired to succeed the Nemanjić dynasty as the new rulers of Serbia, Emperor Uroš started supporting a coalition of Serbian elite loyal to him.

Lazar and the Emperor managed to persuade the young but capable general Nikola Altomanović to join their coalition, as well as some minor governors.

On September 26, 1371, Vukašin ordered a forced march to Adrianople, but his army was ambushed while camped in the Battle of Maritsa, suffering a heavy defeat that sealed the fate of Serbian Empire, and the chance of a serious counter offensive against the Turks.