Beloš Vukanović
Encyclopedia
Beloš a member of the Vukanović dynasty
of Serbia, was the Regent of Hungary 1141-1146 alongside his sister Helen, who was married to Béla II with whom she had a son, Géza II, still an infant. He held the title of dux, and was the viceregal (Ban) of Croatia 1142-1158 and 1163. Beloš, as a member of the Serbian dynasty, was the Grand Prince of Serbia in 1162. Beloš received the title of comes palatinus, the highest court title. He lived during a period of Serbian-Hungarian alliance, amid a growing threat from the Byzantines, who had earlier been the overlords of Serbia.
ca 1112-1145), and Anna Diogenissa
, the granddaughter of Romanos IV Diogenes, the Byzantine Emperor (r. 1068–1071). He had two brothers, Uroš II Primislav and Desa, and two sisters, Helen and Maria. Zavida
, the father of future Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja
, is possibly a fourth brother, this is however undisclosed.
in 1129. In 1131, Béla II was crowned the King of Hungary, succeeding the child-less Stephen II
. Beloš joined his sister at the Hungarian court, and received the title of dux
(Duke, Herzog). Béla II died on 13 February 1141, and the eldest son and heir Géza II was still a child, thus Helen and Beloš became regents in his place. The brother and sister governed the Kingdom of Hungary
until Géza II's coming of age, in September 1146. In 1145, he received the title of comes palatinus (Count palatine), the highest court title of the Kingdom. During his time as tutor to Géza II, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus attacked Hungary, supporting the rival Boris Kalamanos
(son of Coloman
), however Beloš successfully managed to defend Hungary.
from the Byzantines.
In 1158 he leaves Hungary and returns to Serbia. When Manuel I had removed his brother Uroš II in 1161, Beloš came to rule briefly in 1162, then gave the throne to his younger brother Desa. He returns to Croatia, once again serving as Ban of Croatia. After the death of Géza II in 1162, Byzantines wanted to instate a member of the dynasty, Stephen IV
, who had lived in Constantinople. Beloš ousts Stephen IV after he briefly rules, taking him as prisoner. He releases Stephen IV to the Byzantines after an agreement.
(then known as Kewe), which made the locals call the town Banov manastir (Ban's Monastery), hence the modern name Banoštor. Throughout his tenure in Hungary, he maintained excellent relations with Serbia, which was ruled by his brothers. After 1163 there are no more mentions of him.
House of Vukanovic
The House of Vukanović was a medieval Serbian dynasty that reigned over Rascia and Zachlumia between late-11th century and mid-13th century. The house itself directly descended from the House of Vojislavljević, which ruled over medieval Serb lands. The dynasty was succeeded by its direct...
of Serbia, was the Regent of Hungary 1141-1146 alongside his sister Helen, who was married to Béla II with whom she had a son, Géza II, still an infant. He held the title of dux, and was the viceregal (Ban) of Croatia 1142-1158 and 1163. Beloš, as a member of the Serbian dynasty, was the Grand Prince of Serbia in 1162. Beloš received the title of comes palatinus, the highest court title. He lived during a period of Serbian-Hungarian alliance, amid a growing threat from the Byzantines, who had earlier been the overlords of Serbia.
Origin
Beloš was the middle son of Uroš I, the Grand Prince of Serbia (r.Reign
A reign is the term used to describe the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office of monarch of a nation or of a people . In most hereditary monarchies and some elective monarchies A reign is the term used to describe the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office...
ca 1112-1145), and Anna Diogenissa
Anna Diogenissa
Anna Diogenissa , was a 12th-century Grand Princess consort of Serbia, a Byzantine noblewoman of the Diogenes house who married Uroš I Vukanović, the Grand Prince of Serbia Anna Diogenissa (b. before 1075), was a 12th-century Grand Princess consort of Serbia, a Byzantine noblewoman of the Diogenes...
, the granddaughter of Romanos IV Diogenes, the Byzantine Emperor (r. 1068–1071). He had two brothers, Uroš II Primislav and Desa, and two sisters, Helen and Maria. Zavida
Zavida
Zavida or Beli Uroš was a 12th-century Serbian royal member who briefly ruled as Župan of Zahumlje and later held the title "Lord of Ribnica"....
, the father of future Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja
Stefan Nemanja
Stefan Nemanja was the Grand Prince of the Grand Principality of Serbia from 1166 to 1196, a heir of the Vukanović dynasty that marked the beginning of a greater Serbian realm .He is remembered for his contributions to Serbian culture and...
, is possibly a fourth brother, this is however undisclosed.
Hungarian Regency
His sister Helen, married the Hungarian heir apparent, Béla IIBéla II of Hungary
Béla II the Blind , King of Hungary and Croatia . Still as a child, Béla was blinded by his uncle, King Coloman who wanted to ensure the succession of his own son, the future King Stephen II...
in 1129. In 1131, Béla II was crowned the King of Hungary, succeeding the child-less Stephen II
Stephen II of Hungary
Stephen II , King of Hungary and Croatia, ruled from 1116 until 1131. He was crowned as a child during his father's lifetime who wanted to ensure Stephen's succession against his brother, Duke Álmos. Stephen's reign was characterized by frequent struggles with neighbouring countries...
. Beloš joined his sister at the Hungarian court, and received the title of dux
Dux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
(Duke, Herzog). Béla II died on 13 February 1141, and the eldest son and heir Géza II was still a child, thus Helen and Beloš became regents in his place. The brother and sister governed the Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
until Géza II's coming of age, in September 1146. In 1145, he received the title of comes palatinus (Count palatine), the highest court title of the Kingdom. During his time as tutor to Géza II, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus attacked Hungary, supporting the rival Boris Kalamanos
Boris Kalamanos
Boris Kalamanos was a pretender who claimed the Hungarian throne. He desperately tried to assert his claims with the assistance of Poland, the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, but he failed and died in exile.-His descent:...
(son of Coloman
Coloman
Coloman, , , ; )* Coloman I. the Book-lover* Coloman of Galicia-Lodomeria * Saint Coloman of Stockerau * Colomán Trabado Pérez...
), however Beloš successfully managed to defend Hungary.
Croatia and Serbia
Beloš received the title of Ban of Croatia and Dalmatia (the latter is later given to a younger son of the dynasty), as a viceroy in Croatia, in 1142. In 1149, Géza II and Beloš aids Uroš II in the attacks of Emperor Manuel I on Serbia. In 1154, he assists Ban Borić of Bosnia to conquer BraničevoBranicevo District
The Braničevo District expands in the north-east of Serbia. It has a population of 180,480. Seat of the District is in the city of Požarevac, a famous cross-roads, with numerous communications running through it still today...
from the Byzantines.
In 1158 he leaves Hungary and returns to Serbia. When Manuel I had removed his brother Uroš II in 1161, Beloš came to rule briefly in 1162, then gave the throne to his younger brother Desa. He returns to Croatia, once again serving as Ban of Croatia. After the death of Géza II in 1162, Byzantines wanted to instate a member of the dynasty, Stephen IV
Stephen IV of Hungary
Stephen IV , King of Hungary . In his youth, he rebelled against his brother, King Géza II of Hungary and had to flee to the Court of the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Komnenos...
, who had lived in Constantinople. Beloš ousts Stephen IV after he briefly rules, taking him as prisoner. He releases Stephen IV to the Byzantines after an agreement.
Later years and Legacy
He married his daughter to the Russian Knyaz Vladimir Dolgorukov in 1150. He founded a monastery in present-day BanoštorBanoštor
Banoštor is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Beočin municipality, in the Vojvodina province. Although, the village is geographically located in Syrmia, it is part of the South Bačka District. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 780 people .-Name:The name...
(then known as Kewe), which made the locals call the town Banov manastir (Ban's Monastery), hence the modern name Banoštor. Throughout his tenure in Hungary, he maintained excellent relations with Serbia, which was ruled by his brothers. After 1163 there are no more mentions of him.
See also
Sources
- V. Klaić, -{Hrvatski bani za Arpadovića (1102—1301)}-, u -{Vjesniku kraljevskog zemaljskog arhiva}-, -{l (1899)}-, 129—138;
- -{Dr. M. Wertner}-, -{Ungarns Palatine und Bane im Zeit-alter der Arpaden (Ungarische Revue, 14, 1894, 129—177)}-.