Radič Sanković
Encyclopedia
Radič Sanković was a 14th-century voivode (military commander), and nobleman in present-day Herzegovina
, that at his height of power held Nevesinje
, Popovo Polje and Konavle
, being one of the most powerful de facto-independent lords of the Kingdom of Bosnia
during the rules of Stephen Dabiša (1391-1395) and Queen Helen (1395-1398), and in alliance with usurper Stephen Ostoja (1398-1404) during the civil wars, until his death.
(the progenitor was Dražen Bogopenec
, a lord of Hum under King Stephen Uroš II Milutin of Serbia, fl. 1306). He and his brother Beljak inherited the lands of Nevesinje
and Popovo Polje (in Herzegovina
) and part of Konavli (southernmost Dalmatia
) upon the death of his father. He had brothers Beljak, Budelja, Sančin and sister Dragana. In 1388, he and fellow nobleman Vlatko Vuković
led the Bosnian army against the Ottomans
at Bileća
.
In 1392, Radič and Beljak tried to sell Konavli to the Republic of Ragusa
. The same year on May 15, he issued a charter to Dubrovnik merchants enabling them to trade on his territories. However, a council meeting was convoked by the king or nobility that objected the sale. Vlatko Vuković
(Kosače
) and Pavle Radenović (Pavlovići
) were sent against Radič in December of 1391 after receiving the council's blessings. The two captured Radič and occupied Konavli, dividing it between themselves, despite protests from Ragusa. Vuković died shortly after this, and was succeeded by his nephew Sandalj Hranić, who continued to struggle against Radič. Radič regained freedom in 1398, immediately seeking to restore his lost lands, becoming an important ally of Stephen Ostoja. In 1399, he sells the Lisac field to Ragusa for 500 perpers. He also became a member of the Ragusan Great council. Radič participated in the Bosnian-Dubrovnik War in 1403-1404, leading the attacks on Dubrovnik in the name of Ban Stjepan Ostoja. Hranić captured and blinded Radič, and held him in prison until his death in 1404. The area of Nevesinje to the coast was taken by Hranić.
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
, that at his height of power held Nevesinje
Nevesinje
Nevesinje is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in eastern Herzegovina between Mostar and Gacko. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity.-Geography:...
, Popovo Polje and Konavle
Konavle
Konavle is a small region and municipality located southeast of Dubrovnik, Croatia.It is administratively part of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County and forms a municipality with its center at Gruda with a total population of 8,250 people split in 32 villages, in which 96.5% are Croats...
, being one of the most powerful de facto-independent lords of the Kingdom of Bosnia
Kingdom of Bosnia
The Kingdom of Bosnia or the Bosnian Kingdom was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Balkans, existing between 1377 and 1463.- Establishment :...
during the rules of Stephen Dabiša (1391-1395) and Queen Helen (1395-1398), and in alliance with usurper Stephen Ostoja (1398-1404) during the civil wars, until his death.
Life
Radič was the son of Sanko Miltenović, the eponymous founder of the House of SankovićHouse of Sankovic
The House of Sanković was a medieval Bosnian noble family from Herzegovina. Their family estates included Nevesinje and Popovo Polje in Herzegovina and Konavli in southern Dalmatia.- History :...
(the progenitor was Dražen Bogopenec
Dražen Bogopenec
Dražen Bogopenec was a early 14th-century Serbian noble, that held lands of Hum, centered at his birthplace Nevesinje, he is an ancestor of the House of Sanković.He is mentioned in papers from Dubrovnik in 1306....
, a lord of Hum under King Stephen Uroš II Milutin of Serbia, fl. 1306). He and his brother Beljak inherited the lands of Nevesinje
Nevesinje
Nevesinje is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in eastern Herzegovina between Mostar and Gacko. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity.-Geography:...
and Popovo Polje (in Herzegovina
Herzegovina
Herzegovina is the southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While there is no official border distinguishing it from the Bosnian region, it is generally accepted that the borders of the region are Croatia to the west, Montenegro to the south, the canton boundaries of the Herzegovina-Neretva...
) and part of Konavli (southernmost Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
) upon the death of his father. He had brothers Beljak, Budelja, Sančin and sister Dragana. In 1388, he and fellow nobleman Vlatko Vuković
Vlatko Vukovic
Vlatko Vuković Kosača was a medieval nobleman who ruled as Grand Duke of Hum.He was a son of Vuk Kosača, the founder of the medieval house of Kosača. He governed the province of Hum, which was part of the Banate of Bosnia. The Ottoman threat was building to the east, threatening neighboring...
led the Bosnian army against the Ottomans
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
at Bileća
Battle of Bileca
The Battle of Bileća was fought on 27 August 1388 between Bosnian forces led by Duke Vlatko Vuković and the Ottomans under the leadership of Lala Shahin Pasha...
.
In 1392, Radič and Beljak tried to sell Konavli to the Republic of Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
. The same year on May 15, he issued a charter to Dubrovnik merchants enabling them to trade on his territories. However, a council meeting was convoked by the king or nobility that objected the sale. Vlatko Vuković
Vlatko Vukovic
Vlatko Vuković Kosača was a medieval nobleman who ruled as Grand Duke of Hum.He was a son of Vuk Kosača, the founder of the medieval house of Kosača. He governed the province of Hum, which was part of the Banate of Bosnia. The Ottoman threat was building to the east, threatening neighboring...
(Kosače
House of Kosaca
The House of Kosača was a medieval Bosnian noble family which ruled over various parts of Bosnia, Croatia and Dalmatia between the 14th century and the 15th century. The land they controlled was mostly known as Hum or Zahumlje...
) and Pavle Radenović (Pavlovići
House of Pavlović
The Pavlovići was a medieval family in Bosnia that ruled parts of eastern and southeastern Bosnia.The family had their seat at Borač...
) were sent against Radič in December of 1391 after receiving the council's blessings. The two captured Radič and occupied Konavli, dividing it between themselves, despite protests from Ragusa. Vuković died shortly after this, and was succeeded by his nephew Sandalj Hranić, who continued to struggle against Radič. Radič regained freedom in 1398, immediately seeking to restore his lost lands, becoming an important ally of Stephen Ostoja. In 1399, he sells the Lisac field to Ragusa for 500 perpers. He also became a member of the Ragusan Great council. Radič participated in the Bosnian-Dubrovnik War in 1403-1404, leading the attacks on Dubrovnik in the name of Ban Stjepan Ostoja. Hranić captured and blinded Radič, and held him in prison until his death in 1404. The area of Nevesinje to the coast was taken by Hranić.
Sources
- John V.A. Fine. (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. The University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-08260-4. Google Books
- Mišić, S. (2008). Povelja Beljaka i Radiča Sankovića Dubrovniku. Stari srpski arhiv, (7), 113-127.