House of Crnojevic
Encyclopedia
The Crnojević was a medieval Serb noble house that held Zeta
, or parts of it; a region corresponding to north of Lake Skadar (southern Montenegro
and northern Albania
), from 1326 to 1362, then 1403 until 1515. The progenitor, Đuraš Ilijić
, was head of Upper Zeta in the Serbian Kingdom and Empire
(r. 1326-1362†), under Stephen Uroš III Dečanski, Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak. Đuraš was killed in 1362 by the Balšić family, the holders of Lower Zeta (since 1360), and Zeta was in the hands of the Balšići under nominal Imperial rule until 1421, when Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević
was given the province by Balša III
(1403–1421). It fought its' rivals since the murder of Đuraš, and in 1392, the Crnojevići gain power in Budva
, but are stopped in 1396, when Radič Crnojević
is murdered by the Balšići. They are mentioned again in 1403, as vassals of the Republic of Venice
, taking power in their hereditary lands.
, the son of Ilija, who was Head of Upper Zeta from 1326 until his death in 1362, when he was killed by the Balša family. Although Đuraš Ilijić
was an important figure in the Serbian Kingdom, it was his grandson Đuraš Ilijić who became advisor of the Serbian King Stefan of Dechani in 1326. Five years later, Đuraš supported Prince Dušan Nemanjić in overthrowing the King.
In 1355, the Croatian Banass and sister of Dušan Nemanjić, Jelena Nemanjić Šubić, had come greatly under pressure by the Hungarian
King who attacked one of her cities in Croatia
, (Skradin
). Car Dušan dispatched Đuraš Ilijić to relieve the siège. He left with an army and his two brothers Nikola and Vladin as well as his sons and nephews. Đuraš successfully kept the city up to January 10, 1356, when the new Emperor ordered him to deliver it to the Venetians
. Đuraš was liquidated by Balša I's sons as a rival in 1362. He was buried in the Church of Saint Michael on Prevlaka
with the inscription in Emperor's Stefan's name a fearsome knight .
After this, the House of Đuraš was greatly suppressed by the House of Balšić
. They ruled in the areas of Budva
and the Gulf of Kotor. At times, they cooperated with the Balša, but most frequently fought them for control.
At the end of the 14th century, the House of Đuraš was transformed into the House of Crnoje by Radič
, the successor of Crnoje. Radič emerged, together with his brothers Stefan and Dobrivoje, as the Master of Budva
. He maintained close relations with the Republic of Dubrovnik, where he was an honorary citizen. At the same time, the relations with City of Kotor
were bad. He frequently jeopordized Kotor and expanded his domain to include Grbalj and Paštrovići
. As the Serbian Empire
crumbled, the House of Crnoje became virtually independent in Upper Zeta (region around modern Cetinje
. Radič was killed in combat in a war against the House of Balšić
in 1396.
After the death of Radič, the Crnojevići, under the brothers Dobrivoj and Stefan, suffered a major decline. There were territorial losses to the Đuraševići, led by the brothers Đurađ and Aleksa (also called Lješ), both sons of the late Radič. They were first referred to in sources in 1403. They seemed to have been actively supporting Đurađ II's campaign against the Crnojevići in the late 1390s. They also played a major role in Sandalj Hranić's expulsion from Zeta through a campaign led by Đurađ. As a reward, Đurađ gave them Budva, as well as Saint Michael's Metohija (Grbalj). The Đuraševići used this period of support of the Balšićs to gain much of the Crnojević possessions in the mountains behind Kotor. Đuraš and Aleksa sided with Venetians and as their vassals ruled the area of Upper Zeta in 1403-1435.
The most important role in establishing the family's rule in Zeta
had Stefan I
called "Stefanica" (1451–1465). He used the turmoil in Zeta and managed to become de facto ruler of the region. He secured a leading position in his family and married Maria, Skenderbeg's sister. After the fall of the southern part of Serbia under the Turks in 1455, Stefan acknowledged Venetian rule in return for autonomy on internal affairs and autonomy for the Orthodox Metropolitan. His son Ivan (1465–1490), better known as Ivan-beg, started his rule with a war on the Venetians, but had to repent later in face of Turkish threat. He was forced to become a Turkish vassal in addition to being a Venetian one already. He was forced by Turks to flee to Italy in 1479 and managed to return only in 1481, again as the Turkish vassal. He moved the seat of Zeta Metropolitan from Prevlaka
to the more secure Cetinje
in 1485 and soon it became his capital.
Ivan's son Đurađ (1490–1496) remained consistent to his father's policies, although he married a daughter of a Venetian noble. He fostered the printing house of Cetinje monastery
in which the first book in Montenegrin was printed in 1494. When his contacts with the King of France on starting an anti-Ottoman war became known to the Turks, he had to flee Montenegro, which fell under direct Turkish rule. He was an educated man known for his knowledge on many topics.
He was succeeded by his brother Stefan II (1496–1498) who led the administration of Montenegro
for the Ottoman Empire. Ivan's third son Staniša, now islamized and renamed as Skender-beg, ruled his ancestral lands from 1513 to 1530 and was an obedient servant to the Sultan.
The descendants of Đurađ lived in Hungary
and Venice
where they died out in the mid-17th century.
Principality of Zeta
Zeta was a medieval state, which territory encompassed parts of present-day Montenegro and Northernwestern Albania. From 1360. to 1421. Zeta was independent state administered by local noble family Balšić. From 1185. to 1360. and from 1421. - 1451, Zeta was province of medieval Serbia...
, or parts of it; a region corresponding to north of Lake Skadar (southern Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and northern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
), from 1326 to 1362, then 1403 until 1515. The progenitor, Đuraš Ilijić
Đuraš Ilijić
Đuraš Ilijić was a Serbian nobleman that held Upper Zeta with the title of čelnik during the rule of Stefan Dečanski , Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak , from 1326 until his death in 1362...
, was head of Upper Zeta in the Serbian Kingdom and Empire
Serbian Empire
The Serbian Empire was a short-lived medieval empire in the Balkans that emerged from the Serbian Kingdom. Stephen Uroš IV Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on 16 April, 1346, a title signifying a successorship to the Eastern Roman Empire...
(r. 1326-1362†), under Stephen Uroš III Dečanski, Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak. Đuraš was killed in 1362 by the Balšić family, the holders of Lower Zeta (since 1360), and Zeta was in the hands of the Balšići under nominal Imperial rule until 1421, when Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević
Stefan Lazarevic
Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty...
was given the province by Balša III
Balša III
Balša III was the fifth and last ruler of Zeta from the House of Balša, from April 1403 - May 1421. He was the son of Đurađ II and Jelena Lazarević.- Reign :...
(1403–1421). It fought its' rivals since the murder of Đuraš, and in 1392, the Crnojevići gain power in Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
, but are stopped in 1396, when Radič Crnojević
Radic Crnojevic
Radič Crnojević "Lord of the Zeta and Budva and the other parts of Serbia", was a Serbian lord of the Đurašević-Crnojević clan who maintained a domain in Upper Zeta. Radič later expanded his domain to parts of Lower Zeta, including Grbalj, Paštrovići and Budva. Radič was a son of Crnoje...
is murdered by the Balšići. They are mentioned again in 1403, as vassals of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, taking power in their hereditary lands.
Origins
The oldest known ancestor is Head Ilija. The noble house has been referred to as the House of Đurašević from Đuraš IlijićĐuraš Ilijić
Đuraš Ilijić was a Serbian nobleman that held Upper Zeta with the title of čelnik during the rule of Stefan Dečanski , Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak , from 1326 until his death in 1362...
, the son of Ilija, who was Head of Upper Zeta from 1326 until his death in 1362, when he was killed by the Balša family. Although Đuraš Ilijić
Đuraš Ilijić
Đuraš Ilijić was a Serbian nobleman that held Upper Zeta with the title of čelnik during the rule of Stefan Dečanski , Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak , from 1326 until his death in 1362...
was an important figure in the Serbian Kingdom, it was his grandson Đuraš Ilijić who became advisor of the Serbian King Stefan of Dechani in 1326. Five years later, Đuraš supported Prince Dušan Nemanjić in overthrowing the King.
In 1355, the Croatian Banass and sister of Dušan Nemanjić, Jelena Nemanjić Šubić, had come greatly under pressure by the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
King who attacked one of her cities in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, (Skradin
Skradin
Skradin is a small town in the Šibenik-Knin county of Croatia it has a population about 3,986 . It is located near the Krka river and at the entrance to the Krka National Park, from Šibenik and from Split...
). Car Dušan dispatched Đuraš Ilijić to relieve the siège. He left with an army and his two brothers Nikola and Vladin as well as his sons and nephews. Đuraš successfully kept the city up to January 10, 1356, when the new Emperor ordered him to deliver it to the Venetians
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. Đuraš was liquidated by Balša I's sons as a rival in 1362. He was buried in the Church of Saint Michael on Prevlaka
Prevlaka
Prevlaka is a small peninsula in southern Croatia, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor in the eastern Adriatic. The word prevlaka means portage. The cape Oštro, located at the tip of the peninsula, is the southernmost point of mainland in Croatia....
with the inscription in Emperor's Stefan's name a fearsome knight .
After this, the House of Đuraš was greatly suppressed by the House of Balšić
House of Balšic
The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and the coastlands , from 1362 to 1421, during the fall of the Serbian Empire. Balša, the eponymous founder, was a petty nobleman that held only one village during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and...
. They ruled in the areas of Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
and the Gulf of Kotor. At times, they cooperated with the Balša, but most frequently fought them for control.
House of Crnoje
Radic Crnojevic
Radič Crnojević "Lord of the Zeta and Budva and the other parts of Serbia", was a Serbian lord of the Đurašević-Crnojević clan who maintained a domain in Upper Zeta. Radič later expanded his domain to parts of Lower Zeta, including Grbalj, Paštrovići and Budva. Radič was a son of Crnoje...
, the successor of Crnoje. Radič emerged, together with his brothers Stefan and Dobrivoje, as the Master of Budva
Budva
Budva is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has around 15,000 inhabitants, and it is the centre of municipality...
. He maintained close relations with the Republic of Dubrovnik, where he was an honorary citizen. At the same time, the relations with City of Kotor
Kotor
Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
were bad. He frequently jeopordized Kotor and expanded his domain to include Grbalj and Paštrovići
Paštrovici
The Paštrovići is a coastal clan in Montenegro.- History :The people and land of Paštrovići is mentioned for the first time in 1355, when Serbian emperor Dušan Silni sent his nobleman Nikolica Paštrović in diplomatic mission in Dubrovnik...
. As the Serbian Empire
Serbian Empire
The Serbian Empire was a short-lived medieval empire in the Balkans that emerged from the Serbian Kingdom. Stephen Uroš IV Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on 16 April, 1346, a title signifying a successorship to the Eastern Roman Empire...
crumbled, the House of Crnoje became virtually independent in Upper Zeta (region around modern Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
. Radič was killed in combat in a war against the House of Balšić
House of Balšic
The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and the coastlands , from 1362 to 1421, during the fall of the Serbian Empire. Balša, the eponymous founder, was a petty nobleman that held only one village during the rule of Emperor Dušan the Mighty The Balšić was a noble house that ruled Zeta and...
in 1396.
After the death of Radič, the Crnojevići, under the brothers Dobrivoj and Stefan, suffered a major decline. There were territorial losses to the Đuraševići, led by the brothers Đurađ and Aleksa (also called Lješ), both sons of the late Radič. They were first referred to in sources in 1403. They seemed to have been actively supporting Đurađ II's campaign against the Crnojevići in the late 1390s. They also played a major role in Sandalj Hranić's expulsion from Zeta through a campaign led by Đurađ. As a reward, Đurađ gave them Budva, as well as Saint Michael's Metohija (Grbalj). The Đuraševići used this period of support of the Balšićs to gain much of the Crnojević possessions in the mountains behind Kotor. Đuraš and Aleksa sided with Venetians and as their vassals ruled the area of Upper Zeta in 1403-1435.
The most important role in establishing the family's rule in Zeta
Zeta
-Science:* Zeta functions, in mathematics** Riemann zeta function* Zeta potential, the electrokinetic potential of a colloidal system* Tropical Storm Zeta , formed in December 2005 and lasting through January 2006* Z-pinch, in fusion power...
had Stefan I
Stefan I Crnojevic
Stefan a.k.a. Stefanica Crnojević was a medieval lord of the Principality of Zeta , from the House of Crnojević that ruled it from 1451 to 1465.-Reign:...
called "Stefanica" (1451–1465). He used the turmoil in Zeta and managed to become de facto ruler of the region. He secured a leading position in his family and married Maria, Skenderbeg's sister. After the fall of the southern part of Serbia under the Turks in 1455, Stefan acknowledged Venetian rule in return for autonomy on internal affairs and autonomy for the Orthodox Metropolitan. His son Ivan (1465–1490), better known as Ivan-beg, started his rule with a war on the Venetians, but had to repent later in face of Turkish threat. He was forced to become a Turkish vassal in addition to being a Venetian one already. He was forced by Turks to flee to Italy in 1479 and managed to return only in 1481, again as the Turkish vassal. He moved the seat of Zeta Metropolitan from Prevlaka
Prevlaka
Prevlaka is a small peninsula in southern Croatia, at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor in the eastern Adriatic. The word prevlaka means portage. The cape Oštro, located at the tip of the peninsula, is the southernmost point of mainland in Croatia....
to the more secure Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
in 1485 and soon it became his capital.
Ivan's son Đurađ (1490–1496) remained consistent to his father's policies, although he married a daughter of a Venetian noble. He fostered the printing house of Cetinje monastery
Cetinje Monastery
The Cetinje Monastery is the most famous Serb Orthodox monastery in Montenegro. It is located in Cetinje and is the seat of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and its name derives from Saint Peter of Cetinje...
in which the first book in Montenegrin was printed in 1494. When his contacts with the King of France on starting an anti-Ottoman war became known to the Turks, he had to flee Montenegro, which fell under direct Turkish rule. He was an educated man known for his knowledge on many topics.
He was succeeded by his brother Stefan II (1496–1498) who led the administration of Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
for the Ottoman Empire. Ivan's third son Staniša, now islamized and renamed as Skender-beg, ruled his ancestral lands from 1513 to 1530 and was an obedient servant to the Sultan.
The descendants of Đurađ lived in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
where they died out in the mid-17th century.
Rulers
- Đuraš IlijićĐuraš IlijićĐuraš Ilijić was a Serbian nobleman that held Upper Zeta with the title of čelnik during the rule of Stefan Dečanski , Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak , from 1326 until his death in 1362...
(1326–1362†) - RadičRadic CrnojevicRadič Crnojević "Lord of the Zeta and Budva and the other parts of Serbia", was a Serbian lord of the Đurašević-Crnojević clan who maintained a domain in Upper Zeta. Radič later expanded his domain to parts of Lower Zeta, including Grbalj, Paštrovići and Budva. Radič was a son of Crnoje...
(fl. 1392-1396†) - Đurađ and Aleksa (1403–1435)
- Gojčin (?-1451)
- Stefan IStefan I CrnojevicStefan a.k.a. Stefanica Crnojević was a medieval lord of the Principality of Zeta , from the House of Crnojević that ruled it from 1451 to 1465.-Reign:...
(1451–1465) - Ivan I (1465–1490)
- Đurađ IV (1490–1496)
- Stefan II (1496–1498)
- Ivan II (1498–1515)
- Đurađ V (1515–1516)
- sanjak-beySanjak-beySanjak-bey, Sanjaq-bey or -beg was the Turkish title of the Bey in military and administrative command of a sanjak , answerable to a Wāli or other provincial governor. In a few cases the Sanjak-Bey was himself a governor directly answering to Istanbul....
Staniša-SkanderbegSkanderbeg CrnojevićStaniša "Stanko" Crnojević, known as Skenderbeg Crnojević, was a 16th-century Ottoman sanjakbey of the Sanjak of Montenegro in 1514—1528.-Biography:...
(1515-1530)
Family tree
- Đuraš Vrančić
- Ilija Đurašević
- Đuraš Ilijić
- Crnoje Đurašević
- Radič Crnojević
- Đurađ Đurašević Crnojević
- Đurašin
- Kojčin (Gojčin, Goycinus)
- Stefan (Stefanica) Crnojević
- Đurađ Crnojević
- Charles Michael Crnojevic
- Ivan Crnojević
- Đurađ Crnojević
- Solomon
- Konstantin
- Jovan
- Viktor
- Jovan
- Faustina
- Viktor
- Jovan
- Ivan
- Đurađ V (?)
- Antonija
- Unknown Daughter
- Unknown Daughter
- Stefan
- Staniša (Skender-beg Crnojević, Sandžak-beg of Montenegro)
- Unknown Daughter
- Unknown Daughter
- Đurađ Crnojević
- Đurađ Crnojević
- Unknown Son
- Aleksa (Lješ, Alexius) Đurašević Crnojević
- Đurađ Đurašević Crnojević
- Stefan
- Dobrovoj
- Radič Crnojević
- Crnoje Đurašević
- Nikola
- Vladin
- Đuraš Ilijić
- Ilija Đurašević
Sources
- Vladimir Corovic: Istorija srpskog naroda "Kralj Lajoš se, doista, počeo spremati na Srbe, ali ne mogade tokom 1355. god. preći u napadaj. Možda nije imao ni prave volje da primi borbu s Dušanom, čiju je snagu znao i video. Sem sa Srbijom on je rđavo stajao i sa Mletačkom Republikom, nešto zbog mletačkih veza sa Srbima, a mnogo više zbog njenog učvršćivanja u Dalmaciji. Zbog izvesnih gradova u Dalmaciji, posebno zbog Klisa i Skradina, koji su pripadali Šubićima, odnosno Dušanovoj sestri Jeleni, udovici Mladena III, bilo je dosta pregonjenja i pregovaranja. Te gradove su hteli i Mlečani i Mađari i Bosanci, dok je Dušan želeo da ih očuva sestri kao svojoj saveznici, možda kao strateške tačke prema Bosni, sa njene zapadne strane. Dušanova vojska ušla je 1355. god. u te gradove. Kako car nije hteo nikakva sukoba s Mlečanima, on je, videći njihovu nesavladivu želju da dobiju te gradove, pristao da njegova sestra povede pregovore o prodaji. Videći neraspoloženje skradinskog građanstva protiv svojih ljudi, a čuvši možda i za carevu smrt, njegov vojvoda Đuraš Ilić predade taj grad Mlečanima 10. januara 1356. god., kako mu car beše ranije naredio. Grad Klis preoteli su Mađari."
- Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje, chapter 41
- The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, John Van Antwerp Fine, 1987
- Encyclopedia Britannica
External links
- House of Crnojević official site (in SerbianSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
)