The Serbian Grand Principality or Rascia is a medieval state that is founded in 1090, and ends with the elevation to Kingdom in 1217.
During the reign of Constantine Bodin, the King of Duklja, Vukan was appointed to rule Rascia as a vassal, and when Bodin is captured by the Byzantines, Vukan becomes independent and takes the title of Grand Prince.
When Bodin dies, Rascia becomes the strongest entity, in which the Serbian realm is seated, in the hands of the Vukanović dynasty.Uroš I, the son of Vukan, rules Serbia when the Byzantines invade Duklja, and Rascia is next in the line of attack, but with diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Hungary, Serbia retains its independence.
Uroš II initially fights the Byzantines, but after a defeat soon gives oaths of servitude to the Emperor.
Desa, the brother of Uroš II and an initial Byzantine ally, turns to Hungarian support, but is deposed in 1163, when Stefan Tihomir of a cadet line (which will become the Nemanjić dynasty), is put on the throne by the Emperor.Stefan Nemanja, the eponymous founder of the Nemanjić dynasty, wrestles the throne through defeating his three brothers, who are backed by the Emperor.
Nemanja begins to establish the Serbian church in 1199 alongside his son, Saint Sava, the first Archbishop of Serbs (1219), and the author of the oldest known constitution of Serbia, Zakonopravilo.
Sava heavily influences Serbian medieval literature.
Sava's older brother, Stefan the first-crowned, becomes King in 1217.
