Stefan Nemanja II, better known as Stefan the First-Crowned, was a medieval Serbian ruler (1196-1227) in Serbia Raska. He began to rule as a great mayor. The First-Crowned is one of the first significant writers of the original lives of the ruler-saint in Serbian literature, and his style became a model for other writers. His most important work is the "Life of Saint Simeon" in which he described the life and miracles of his father.
Stefan the First-Crowned was the second son of Grand Duke Stefan Nemanja I, founder of the dynasty Nemanjic, and Anna. He was the younger brother of Vukan Nemanjic, who became a prince and head of the Zetas, and the older brother of Rastko Nemanjic, the founder of the autonomous Serbian archbishopric.
Throne is inherited in one State Parliament in 1196 after his father's wishes, which then became a monk, taking the name Simeon, or the throne is inherited despite the law of primogeniture. After the death of his father Simeon, the great ruler Stefan Nemanja II had to defend his rights from his older brother - Vukan. Prince Vukan thought he has more right to the throne and the title of the great mayor, and he supported the Hungarian king Emeric. Thus began a civil war between the two brothers, which runs from 1202 to 1204 or 1205.
Hungarian army attacked Serbia in 1202 and so Vukan overthrew Stefan Nemanja II from power. Defeated Stefan Nemanja II was temporarily expelled from Serbia, but he found support in Bulgaria.
In the summer of 1203 the Bulgarians defeated Hungary and conquered areas of Nis and Branicevo. It has influenced to Vukan weaken the reputation and power in Serbia. As a protégé of Bulgarian Kaloyan ruler, Stefan Nemanja II in 1204 or 1205 could return to Serbia to reconcile with Vukan. The war between brothers stopped, according to the agreement Stefan Nemanja II remained a great mayor and supreme ruler of the country.
According to the prevailing opinion of the historian Stefan Nemanja II was crowned King of Serbia in 1217. He was crowned the first king of the Nemanjic family and raised it to the status of state Nemanjic kingdom.
