<sod>  
 Since Murad had been killed in the [[Battle of Kosovo]], Beyazid decided to avenge his death by massacring the [[Serbs]]. Nevertheless, he was able to conclude a treaty with their leader, [[Stephen Bulcovic]], and granted Serbia considerable autonomy. Two years later, in [[1391]], he overwhelmed [[Byzantine]] emperor [[John V Palaeologus]], but in the same spirit of reconcilliation, he appointed his son and heir, [[Manuel II Palaeologus|Manuel]], Groom of the Chamber. 
 
With the surrender of [[Constantinople]] itself, Beyazid assumed the title of Heir to the Caesars. This was perceived as a serious threat by the Christian rulers of  Europe, and a new [[Crusade]] was organized to defeat him. The Christian allies, under the leadership of [[Hungary]] and [[Venice]], reached the city of [[Nicopolis]] in [[Bulgaria]], where Beyazid was waiting for them. He crushed their armies and returned to Constantinople, where a new threat was waiting in the east. 
 
 The [[Mongol]] warlord [[Timur Lenk]] had succeeded in rousing the local kingdoms that had been conquered by the Turks to join him in his attack on Beyazid. In the fateful [[Battle of Ankara]], on [[July 20]], [[1402]], Beyazid was captured by Timur and kept chained in a cage as a trophy. There are many stories about Beyazid's captivity, including one that describes how Timur used him as a footstool. One year later, Beyazid died -- some accounts claim that he committed [[suicide]].  
 
 <eod> <sod> 
 Since Murad had been killed in the [[Battle of Kosovo]], Beyazid decided to avenge his death by massacring the [[Serbs]]. Nevertheless, he was able to conclude a treaty with their leader, [[Stephen Bulcovic]], and granted Serbia considerable autonomy. Two years later, in [[1391]], he overwhelmed [[Byzantine]] emperor [[John V Palaeologus]], but in the same spirit of reconcilliation, he appointed his son and heir, [[Manuel II Palaeologus|Manuel]], Groom of the Chamber. 
 
With the surrender of [[Constantinople]] itself, Beyazid assumed the title of Heir to the Caesars. This was perceived as a serious threat by the Christian rulers of  Europe, and a new [[Crusade]] was organized to defeat him. In [[1396]], the Christian allies, under the leadership of [[Hungary]] and [[Venice]], reached the city of [[Nicopolis]] in [[Bulgaria]], where Beyazid was waiting for them. He crushed their armies and returned to Constantinople, where a new threat was waiting in the east. 
 
 The [[Mongol]] warlord [[Timur Lenk]] had succeeded in rousing the local kingdoms that had been conquered by the Turks to join him in his attack on Beyazid. In the fateful [[Battle of Ankara]], on [[July 20]], [[1402]], Beyazid was captured by Timur and kept chained in a cage as a trophy. There are many stories about Beyazid's captivity, including one that describes how Timur used him as a footstool. One year later, Beyazid died -- some accounts claim that he committed [[suicide]].  
 
 <eod>