The two sides clashed on 21 November 1402, at Tripolje, near the Gračanica Monastery.
The date of the battle coincided with the Presentation of Mary.
Lazarević divided his army into two groups.
Constantine of Kostenets, Lazarević's biographer (ca.
1431), wrote that the army was divided between the two brothers, in case one fell the other would be saved and stay a "good shepherd of the flock".
Lazarević assigned the larger group to his brother Vuk, while he took the smaller group.
It is unknown whether the army that Balšić contributed as security was present at the battle.
Branković enjoyed significant Ottoman support.

While Lazarević engaged the Ottomans, Vuk engaged Branković's forces.
Upon seeing Lazarević's bravery on the battlefield, it is said that many Ottoman soldiers felt like retreating.
Lazarević had been famed for his bravery at the earlier battles of Nicopolis and Ankara.
Among the Ottoman vassals were kesar Uglješa Vlatković and his troops.
Vlatković is believed to have divulged the Ottomans' battle plans, and perhaps even turned on them during the battle, thereby contributing to its outcome in Lazarević's favor.
Orbini claims that Vlatković discouraged the Ottomans by telling them that they would not be able to withstand the first rush.
 According to Orbini, Lazarević "chased Turks by the bunch".
Meanwhile, Branković inflicted great damage on Vuk's forces.
As he was unable to resist Branković's pressure, it was Lazarević who decided the battle.
Ultimately, Branković and the Ottomans were decisively defeated.

Constantine of Kostenets wrote how Lazarević "bloodied the right hand of his" in battle.
Orbini wrote that Lazarević won the battle "more with strategy than the courage of his soldiers".
After the battle, the Lazarević brothers withdrew to the fortified city of Novo Brdo.
The two sides clashed on 21 November 1402, at Tripolje, near the Gračanica Monastery. The date of the battle coincided with the Presentation of Mary. Lazarević divided his army into two groups. Constantine of Kostenets, Lazarević's biographer (ca. 1431), wrote that the army was divided between the two brothers, in case one fell the other would be saved and stay a "good shepherd of the flock". Lazarević assigned the larger group to his brother Vuk, while he took the smaller group. It is unknown whether the army that Balšić contributed as security was present at the battle. Branković enjoyed significant Ottoman support.
While Lazarević engaged the Ottomans, Vuk engaged Branković's forces. Upon seeing Lazarević's bravery on the battlefield, it is said that many Ottoman soldiers felt like retreating. Lazarević had been famed for his bravery at the earlier battles of Nicopolis and Ankara. Among the Ottoman vassals were kesar Uglješa Vlatković and his troops. Vlatković is believed to have divulged the Ottomans' battle plans, and perhaps even turned on them during the battle, thereby contributing to its outcome in Lazarević's favor. Orbini claims that Vlatković discouraged the Ottomans by telling them that they would not be able to withstand the first rush.  According to Orbini, Lazarević "chased Turks by the bunch". Meanwhile, Branković inflicted great damage on Vuk's forces. As he was unable to resist Branković's pressure, it was Lazarević who decided the battle. Ultimately, Branković and the Ottomans were decisively defeated.
Constantine of Kostenets wrote how Lazarević "bloodied the right hand of his" in battle. Orbini wrote that Lazarević won the battle "more with strategy than the courage of his soldiers". After the battle, the Lazarević brothers withdrew to the fortified city of Novo Brdo.
Battle of Tripolje