Balša I

Balša or Balsha was a provincial lord of the Zeta in ca. 1362. He is the eponymous founder of the Balšić noble family.

Life

He was a nobleman and military commander during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty but managed to expand his power after the death of Dušan and gained control of the island of Mljet. He began by taking lands previously held by Lord Žarko, in Lower Zeta. In 1362 his sons defeated and killed Head of Upper Zeta Đuraš Ilijić and expanded further into Upper Zeta. He is believed to have died by this time.
He had three sons, Đurađ, Stracimir and Balša II, two of whom ruled the Principality of Zeta: Đurađ I and Balša II. He had a daughter Voisava Balsha who married Karl Thopia.