Mihailo I Vojislav
Encyclopedia
Mihailo I Vojislavljević ' onMouseout='HidePop("44141")' href="/topics/English_language">Anglicised
: Michael I) was the Grand Prince
of Duklja
from 1050 to 1081. He alienated himself from the Byzantines, and sought to improve relations with the West, and in 1077 he was recognized as King by controversial Pope Gregory VII
, in the aftermath of the Church schism of 1054
. He succeeded his father as Prince of the Serbs, a title signifying supreme leadership among Serbs.
(Trebinje), and briefly ruled until he was killed by local nobles, who set up Domanek as Prince. Mihailo pursued and attacked Domanek, who fled, in his place Saganek was put to govern Travunia. Domanek then returned, and drove out Saganek. Mihailo offered the office to Radoslav, who declined, afraid of losing Luška župa (future Zeta). Radoslav perhaps distrusted his brother, thinking he would seize Zeta, but Mihailo seems to have offered him a deal.
The Byzantine Empire
, wanting to take advantage of the death of Stefan Vojislav, prepared an offensive against unstable Duklja. At this time, the four remaining brothers made peace and made an alliance. The treaty concluded is the oldest in Serbian history. After the agreement, Radoslav attacked Trebinje
, killing Domanek. After this event, their mother (who had acted as an stability in the relations between the brothers) died. He succeeded as Knez of "Duklja" in 1046, or as his realm was called by contemporary Cedrenus: "Triballorum ac Serborum principatum".
While in no imminent danger from that side, Mihailo found it favorable to further strengthen ties with Byzantium, and in 1050 he gained the title of protospatharos, also marriying a niece of Constantine IX Monomachos
. This might have implied titular recognition of Constantinople's authority, but no real concessions on his part. It corresponded to the then-current balance of forces, and bought some 20 years of peace and prosperity to his land.
's key Asian debacle at the Battle of Manzikert
, as well as of the loss of south Italy
to the Normans
.
In 1072, the Bulgarian noblemen in Skopje
planned a revolt against Byzantine
rule under the leadership of Georgi Voiteh
, the exarchos of Skopje
. The rebel chieftains (proechontes) asked Mihailo I for help in exchange to provide one of his sons, as descendant of the House of the Cometopuli, to assume the Bulgarian throne and end the oppression made by the Byzantines. In the fall of 1072, Michael I gladly sent Bodin with 300 troops, which arrived at Prizren
and met with Voiteh and other magnates. At Prizren
they crowned Bodin "Emperor of the Bulgarians" and gave him the name 'Peter III', recalling the names of the Emperor-Saint Peter I
(died in 970) and of Peter II Delyan (who had led the first major revolt against Byzantine rule in 1040–1041). Despite initial success, Bodin was subsequently captured. When Michael I had heard of his sons capture, he sent captured Byzantine general Langobardopoulos, whom he had married with one of his daughter, to rescue him. Langobardopoulos, however, defected to the Byzantines.
The aid to Georgi Voiteh moved Mihailo away from the Byzantines.
. This came as a result of his alienation from the Byzantines, but also from a desire to instate an independent archbishopric within his realm, and finally to obtain a royal title. In the aftermath of the Church schism of 1054
, Pope Gregory VII
had an interest in bestowing these on rulers in the rift area, and Mihailo was granted one in 1077. Thereafter, Duklja is referred to as a kingdom, until its reduction in the following century.
It is not known whether his brothers accepted him as supreme ruler, or if he had forced it upon them. Onwards, Mihailo was the ruler of All Duklja, and his brothers may at most have had only appanages.
, north of Dubrovnik
, a small church following mostly an early Byzantine style, which contains one of the oldest known fresco portraits of a South Slavic ruler.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: Michael I) was the Grand Prince
Grand Prince
The title grand prince or great prince ranked in honour below emperor and tsar and above a sovereign prince .Grand duke is the usual and established, though not literal, translation of these terms in English and Romance languages, which do not normally use separate words for a "prince" who reigns...
of Duklja
Duklja
Doclea or Duklja was a medieval state with hereditary lands roughly encompassing the territories of present-day southeastern Montenegro, from Kotor on the west to the river Bojana on the east and to the sources of Zeta and Morača rivers on the north....
from 1050 to 1081. He alienated himself from the Byzantines, and sought to improve relations with the West, and in 1077 he was recognized as King by controversial Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
, in the aftermath of the Church schism of 1054
East-West Schism
The East–West Schism of 1054, sometimes known as the Great Schism, formally divided the State church of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively...
. He succeeded his father as Prince of the Serbs, a title signifying supreme leadership among Serbs.
Early rule
With the death of Stefan Vojislav, the rule was divided between the five sons. Gojislav had recevied TravuniaTravunia
Travunia was a medieval region, administrative unit and principality, which was part of Medieval Serbia , and in its last years, the Bosnian Kingdom . The county became hereditary in a number of noble houses, often kin to the ruling dynasty. The region came under Ottoman rule in 1482...
(Trebinje), and briefly ruled until he was killed by local nobles, who set up Domanek as Prince. Mihailo pursued and attacked Domanek, who fled, in his place Saganek was put to govern Travunia. Domanek then returned, and drove out Saganek. Mihailo offered the office to Radoslav, who declined, afraid of losing Luška župa (future Zeta). Radoslav perhaps distrusted his brother, thinking he would seize Zeta, but Mihailo seems to have offered him a deal.
The Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, wanting to take advantage of the death of Stefan Vojislav, prepared an offensive against unstable Duklja. At this time, the four remaining brothers made peace and made an alliance. The treaty concluded is the oldest in Serbian history. After the agreement, Radoslav attacked Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
, killing Domanek. After this event, their mother (who had acted as an stability in the relations between the brothers) died. He succeeded as Knez of "Duklja" in 1046, or as his realm was called by contemporary Cedrenus: "Triballorum ac Serborum principatum".
While in no imminent danger from that side, Mihailo found it favorable to further strengthen ties with Byzantium, and in 1050 he gained the title of protospatharos, also marriying a niece of Constantine IX Monomachos
Constantine IX Monomachos
Constantine IX Monomachos, Latinized as Constantine IX Monomachus , c. 1000 – January 11, 1055, reigned as Byzantine emperor from June 11, 1042 to January 11, 1055. He had been chosen by the Empress Zoe as a husband and co-emperor in 1042, although he had been exiled for conspiring...
. This might have implied titular recognition of Constantinople's authority, but no real concessions on his part. It corresponded to the then-current balance of forces, and bought some 20 years of peace and prosperity to his land.
Aid to anti-Byzantine uprising in Macedonia
Matters started to change after 1071, the year of ByzantiumByzantium
Byzantium was an ancient Greek city, founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas . The name Byzantium is a Latinization of the original name Byzantion...
's key Asian debacle at the Battle of Manzikert
Battle of Manzikert
The Battle of Manzikert , was fought between the Byzantine Empire and Seljuq Turks led by Alp Arslan on August 26, 1071 near Manzikert...
, as well as of the loss of south Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
.
In 1072, the Bulgarian noblemen in Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
planned a revolt against Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
rule under the leadership of Georgi Voiteh
Georgi Voiteh
Georgi Voiteh was a 11th century Bulgarian aristocrat from Skopje and the organizer of a major uprising against the Byzantine rule. He was from a Kavkhan family....
, the exarchos of Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
. The rebel chieftains (proechontes) asked Mihailo I for help in exchange to provide one of his sons, as descendant of the House of the Cometopuli, to assume the Bulgarian throne and end the oppression made by the Byzantines. In the fall of 1072, Michael I gladly sent Bodin with 300 troops, which arrived at Prizren
Prizren
Prizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
and met with Voiteh and other magnates. At Prizren
Prizren
Prizren is a historical city located in southern Kosovo. It is the administrative center of the eponymous municipality and district.The city has a population of around 131,247 , mostly Albanians...
they crowned Bodin "Emperor of the Bulgarians" and gave him the name 'Peter III', recalling the names of the Emperor-Saint Peter I
Peter I of Bulgaria
Peter I was emperor of Bulgaria from 27 May 927 to 969.-Early reign:Peter I was the son of Simeon I of Bulgaria by his second marriage to Maria Sursuvul, the sister of George Sursuvul. Peter had been born early in the 10th century, but it appears that his maternal uncle was very influential at...
(died in 970) and of Peter II Delyan (who had led the first major revolt against Byzantine rule in 1040–1041). Despite initial success, Bodin was subsequently captured. When Michael I had heard of his sons capture, he sent captured Byzantine general Langobardopoulos, whom he had married with one of his daughter, to rescue him. Langobardopoulos, however, defected to the Byzantines.
The aid to Georgi Voiteh moved Mihailo away from the Byzantines.
Papal vassalage; crown receival, and Byzantine enemy
After the uprising, Mihailo began looking for support westward - to the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
. This came as a result of his alienation from the Byzantines, but also from a desire to instate an independent archbishopric within his realm, and finally to obtain a royal title. In the aftermath of the Church schism of 1054
East-West Schism
The East–West Schism of 1054, sometimes known as the Great Schism, formally divided the State church of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively...
, Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
had an interest in bestowing these on rulers in the rift area, and Mihailo was granted one in 1077. Thereafter, Duklja is referred to as a kingdom, until its reduction in the following century.
It is not known whether his brothers accepted him as supreme ruler, or if he had forced it upon them. Onwards, Mihailo was the ruler of All Duklja, and his brothers may at most have had only appanages.
Last years
Having sealed ties with the Normans through marriage of his heir Bodin, Mihailo died in 1081, after a rule of 30 or so years. He left St. Michael's Church in StonSton
Ston is a village and municipality in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County of Croatia, located at the south of isthmus of the Pelješac peninsula. The town of Ston is the center of the Ston municipality.- Demographics :...
, north of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, a small church following mostly an early Byzantine style, which contains one of the oldest known fresco portraits of a South Slavic ruler.
Family
Mihailo had seven sons, out of which four are known:- Vladimir
- Konstantin BodinConstantin Bodin (Peter III)Constantine Bodin was the Serbian King and titular King of Duklja. He was titled Prince , but was self-proclaimed King . He was emperor of Bulgaria by name Peter III in 1072...
- Dobroslav IIDobroslav IIDobroslav II was King of Duklja 1101–1102. Dobroslav was the son of Dioclean King Mihailo I and his second wife. According to the Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja, Dobroslav II was selected by the people to become king...
- PetrislavPetrislav VojislavljevićPetrislav was the Prince of Rascia, a province under the Grand Principality of Doclea, from 1060 to 1083. He was appointed to govern Rascia by his father, Grand Prince Mihailo I, who had reunited Rascia into the Serbian realm after decades of Byzantine annexation.-Background:Bosnia, Zahumlje and...
, ruled RasciaRasciaRascia was a medieval region that served as the principal province of the Serbian realm. It was an administrative division under the direct rule of the monarch and sometimes as an appanage. The term has been used to refer to various Serbian states throughout the Middle Ages...