| Name |
Class |
Begin |
End |
Relation Type |
Description |
|
Andrěašь
|
Person
|
|
|
|
He died between 1394 and 1399. He was killed in the battle of Rovine on 17th May 1395 according to the Dečanski letopis (Va lěto 6902 razbi mirčje voevoda vlaški pajazita na rovinahь i tu pogibie marko kraljevičь i kōnstantïnь, i andrea, i koimenь, oktōbrïa 10 gь). One of the first preserved epic poems about the brothers Marko and Andrijaš from 1556 relates about the murder of Andrěašь by his brother Markos. He appears as kralevikь in the inscription on the edge of the vault of the Saint Andreas Church by the river Treska. He was the son of the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos and Lena. His siblings were Markos, Dmitьrь, Ivanišь and Olivera. He is attested along with his mother Lena and his brother Marko in the charter of the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos for the Ragusan Republic, which was issued on 5th April 1370 (i po vʼse dni veselešti mi se vь zemʼli kraljevstva mi sь prěvьzljubljenʼnomь kraljestva mi kralicomь kyra Lěnom i sь prěvьzʼljubʼljenʼnimi synovi kraljevstva mi Markomь i Anьdrějašemь). After the death of his father in 1371 he remained at the court of his mother Lena. He minted his own coins with the legend blagověrni andreaš. Grubadin, the kefalija of Porěčie district, send him a message about the disobedience of his garrison force (Gospodinu mi Andrejašu ōd Grubadina tvoegō kefalije...tuži mi se ōt [tvoih?] junakь neposluha). Andrěašь appears in the ktitorial inscription above the south door in the interior of the Church of the so-called Marko’ Monastery (Saint Demetrius Monastery in Sušice near Skopje), which was completed in 1376/1377 (Izvōlenïemь ōtca i voplьšenïem sina i sьšestviemь svetago duha ōbnovi se i popisa si svety i božestavni hramь svetago velikōmučenika Hristova pobědōnosca i myrotočьca Dimitrija sь usrьdïemь i potštanïemь blagověrnago kralja Vlkašina sь blagověrniei kralice Eleny i sь prěvazljublenym eju i prьvorodnimь sinomь blagověrnimь kraljemь Markomь i Andreašemь i Ivanïšemь i Dimïtrom vь lěto ·ѕ·ō·p·e· si že monastirь nače se zdati lěto ·ѕ·ō·n·g· vь dni blagověrnago cara Stefana i hristoljubivago kralja Vlьkašina a sьvrši se vь dьni blagověrnago i hristoljubivago kralja Marka). He together with his mother Lena was the ktitor of the Saint Andreas Monastery by the river Treska. In 1388/1389 he endowed the monastery with villages near the field and beyond the hill: The ktitorial inscription above the entrance on the western wall of the naos gives account about the villages Bukurci and Poviьlno, which were exchanged for the villages Momkovo and Ivanje from the endowment of the Saint Demetrius Monastery near the village Sušica (the so-called Marko’s Monastery) (trudomь i podvigom hristoljubivago raba božija andrěaša sina ftorago blagověrnago kralě Vlьkašina i kralice Eleni monahini Elisaveti i eliko vьzmožno bistь dahomь i priložihomь svetěi crьkьvi sela u poli i u zabrьdi sь metohomь i pravinami jaže pisana sutь izvěstně o vsemь jaže o nihь v vrevi vь hrisovulě. I si dvě selě tamo Bukurci i Povilьno vь zaměnenie crьkьvi sušičkoi z govoromь i dahomь za Momkovo i za Ivane poneže tako priležno bistь ōboimь crьkьvamь imeti tako sija sela bezьsьmušena vь utvrьždenie lěto ·ѕ·ō·č·z· indiktiōn). The list of villages granted to the Saint Andreas Monastery by the river Treska by Andrěašь appears in another inscription on the edge of the vault of the Saint Andreas Church by the river Treska (trudomь i podvigomь raba božia kralevikь andreaša se že priloženie svetě crьkьvi hrisovulě sьvoiomь.....selo Šišoevci i metohь jego sь obě straně rěke i orašie i lovišta. Selo Dučinci s metohomь starimь i lovišta i Kačěpuri s metohomь. Selo Ivane i Lozno s metohomь. Selo Dlьbočica i Uzdolie s metochomь. Selo Lukovica i Krušica s metohomь....Zaselie sa vьsěmi pravinami selь tehь lovišta i planine). He together with his brother Markos marched with the troops of the Ottoman Sultan Murad I against the army of the Serbian Prince Lazaros (Lazar Hrebeljanović) and Bulkos (Vuk Branković) according to the Tronoški rodoslov from the 18th century (Amuratь že ōbrativь voinstvō skoe na deržavu lazarevu, predvodimь markomь i andreemь). He probably left Macedonia with his brother Dmitьrь following the meeting at Serres in winter 1393/1394, because they refused to serve the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. He and his brother Dmitьrь came in summer 1394 to Dubrovnik. They received on 10th August 1394 374 perper and 6 grossi from the treasury of their father, which was deposited at the place of the nobleman Pavle Barabić (Paulus de Baraba). The last part of the treasury was reserved for their brother King Markos (denarii quondam regis Volchassini....due partes Andree et Dymitrio, filiis et heredibus condam regis Volcasini, mandato prescripti domini rectoris perperos trecentos septuaginta quatuor et grossos sex, tertia parte dictorum yperperorum reservata pro Marcho rege). Dmitьrь and Andreas were pleasently surprised by the large amount of money, that was paid to them by the Ragusan republic. They migrated afterwards in Hungary according to a later charter of the Ragusan republic to the duke Sandal Hranjić from 1423, where they found their livelihood (trovaron pane).
|
|
Blukasinos Demetrios
|
Person
|
|
|
|
The name Demetrios is attested in the memorial book (pomenik), which has been preserved at Protaton in Karyes on Mount Athos (Protaton 340 [113], 1v: Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ μακαρίας μνήμης καὶ ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῶν ἀειμνήστων δούλων τοῦ Θεοῦ Δημητρίου κράλη καὶ Ἰωάννου δεσπότου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτοῖς ἀναιρεθέντων ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν). He died on 29th June 1371 during the battle against the Ottomans at Černomen/Marica. He held the dignity of Despot from January 1364 to September 1365 according to G. Ostrogorsky (Sь že Vlьkašin spodobi se ōt njego čьsti despotatskago sana, potom že i věnčavajetь jego). He worked as a royal wine-pourer (οἰνοχόος) of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. He held the position of Župan in Prilep, 1350/1351 (pri županě Vlьkašinu...vь dьnь blagověrnago cara našego Stefana i syna mu Uroša i carice Elene...kьga se ōtvrže Berь). He witnessed the apparently falsified charter issued by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V in 1355 for the inhabitants of the town of Kotor as he held the position of čelnik (e zeonich Vucasin). In January 1366 ugodni vlastelin Novakь Mrasorovikь addressed the request to the Serbian Despot Ioan Uglješa (Ioannes Unklesis) and also the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos to approve his donation of the village Koprivljane to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos. Both of them confirmed the endowment of Novakь Mrasorovikь to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos in a separate chrysobull charter (kralь Vlьkašinь blagōvěrni Srьblemь i Grьkomь). In November 1366 he is mentioned as king in the archives of the Ragusan republic. He is attested in the Ragusan archives with name and the title of king for the first time in April 1367 (domino regi Rassie Volchassino). He was probably a co-ruler of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V. between 1365 and 1368/1369. This is proven by the fact that his portrait is next to Stefan Uroš V. on the northern wall of the narthex in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Psača, they appear together on coins and they both accept embassies from the Ragusan republic. The situation changed in 1368/1369. The ktitorial inscription of Nobakos, apparently identical with Novakь Mrasorovikь, in the Virgin Maryʼs Church in Mali Grad mentions that the decoration of the church was painted during the reign of the highest king Demetrios Blukasinos (Άνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρου καὶ κόπού καὶ μόχθοῦ ὁ θεϊος κὲ πάνσεπτος ναώς ουτος της υπεραγίας δεσπίνης ἡμων Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀνηστορίθην παρὰ του αὐφθέντου αὐτοῦ πὰνευτυχεστάτου κέσαρος Νοβάκου ἠγουμενέβῶντὸς δὲ Ἰωνὰ μοναχοῦ. Αὐφθεντεύβοντος πανυψηλοτάτου κραλήου τοῦ Βεληκασίνου. Άρχαηερατεύωντος δὲ τῆς ἀγιωτάτης ἀρχιεπησκοπῆς τῆς Πρότης Ἰουστινηανης, ετους ͵ςωοζʹ). It seems, that Demetrios Blukasinos took all the power immediately after the victory over the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V and his coalition at the Kosovo field in 1369. The proof that he ruled without Stefan Uroš V is the charter for the Ragusan republic issued on 5th April 1370, which he signed alone by himself (gospodina zem’li srьbьskoi i Grьkōmь i zapad’nimь stranamь...vь Hrista Bōga blagověrni i hristōljubïvi Vlьkašinь kralь). The Koporinjski and Pećki letopis (chronicle) recorded that the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V. was expelled by Demetrios Blukasinos and his brother Ioannes Unklesis before the battle near the river Marica. A fragment of choros from 1365–1371 originally placed in the Saint Demetrius Monastery near the village Sušica (the so-called Marko’s Monastery), now in collection of the museums in Skopje, Sofia, Istanbul a Belgrade, with installed medallions bearing the name Vlьkašinь and the title of a king, confirm the suggestion, that he governed as a sole ruler. The priestmonk Mihailo wrote the Apostol manuscript from 1365–1371 at Lešnica in the region of Polog for the priest Miho in Debreše during the reign of the King Demetrios Blukasinos (Pisase sija kniga mnogogrěšnogo rukoju ieromonaha Mihaila popu Mihě iz Debreše Nikolinu synu…Azь ōbrěmeneni i ōkajanьni pisahь vь dьni Vlьkašina kralja, kьdi drьžaše Grьgurь Pologь, a pisavši beše iz Lešnice, nierei mnih’). His father was Margnaua (Orbini)/ Margna (Luccari), who was a poor nobleman from Livno in Hum. His brother was Ioannes Unklesis (Ioan Uglješa) and his sister Helene. The husband of his sister was Nikolaos Radochnas (Νικόλαος ῾Ραδόχνας, Nikola Radonja). He was married to Lena. They had together four sons (Marko, the King, Andrěašь, Dmitьrь, Ivanišь) and one daughter (Olivera). The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan took his father and the family of Mrnjavcević to the Serbian court. The domains of Demetrios Blukasinos were in the southern Serbia, Kosovo and in the northwestern parts of historical Macedonia with strongholds in Prilep and Skopje. Since 1345/1346/1347 the Saint Demetrius Monastery near the village Sušica (the so-called Marko’s Monastery) was built under the patronage of Demetrios Blukasinos and his sons (Izvōlenïemь ōtca i voplьšenïem sina i sьšestviemь svetago duha ōbnovi se i popisa si svety i božestavni hramь svetago velikōmučenika Hristova pobědōnosca i myrotočьca Dimitrija sь usrьdïemь i potštanïemь blagověrnago kralja Vlkašina sь blagověrniei kralice Eleny i sь prěvazljublenym eju i prьvorodnimь sinomь blagověrnimь kraljemь Markomь i Andreašemь i Ivanïšemь i Dimïtrom vь lěto ·ѕ·ō·p·e· si že monastirь nače se zdati lěto ·ѕ·ō·n·g· vь dni blagověrnago cara Stefana i hristoljubivago kralja Vlьkašina a sьvrši se vь dьni blagověrnago i hristoljubivago kralja Marka). His fresco portrait is above the south gate of the monastery and flanks with the portrait of his son Marko the bust of Saint Demetrius. The Historia della casa Musachia records, that Andrea II Musachi defeated the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan or Demetrios Blukasinos at the Pelister Mountain. After 1361 Demetrios Blukasinos was very influential on the Serbian court, because the Ragusans often wrote letters to him. He deposited a treasury in Ragusa (denarii quondam regis Volchassini), which was withdrawn by his sons totally not until 1399. In summer 1371 Demetrios Blukasinos marched to Zeta, where he assisted his relative Đurađ Balšić in his war against Nikola Altomanović. Demetrios Blukasinos waited in Skadar for the naval support from the Ragusan republic. Despot John Uglješa informed his brother by letter about the invasion of the Turks to Europe. Demetrios Blukasinos and his brother commanded the Serbian forces, which fought against the Ottoman army commanded by the Beglerbeg Lala Şahin Pasha and Evrenos near the village Černomen on 26th September 1371. His portrait and its accompanying inscription (Vь hrista boga blagověrni kralь Vlьkašin) has been preserved on the southern part of the entrance to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael at Prilep. The inscription in the chapel of the Panagia Eleousa on the shore of Lake (Great) Prespa, which mentions the three patrons of the church, gives detail about the date of the repainting (1410) and the name of the ruler, who was Demetrios Vlukasinos. The possibility of a later local ruler with the same name cannot be excluded, but a more probable version is that the construction of the church was realised during the rule of Demetrios Vlukasinos (Ανηγέρθει καὶ ἀνιστωρίθει ὁ Θείος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τὴς Ὑπεραγίας Δεσποίνης ἠμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ Ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας διὰ σὶνδρομὶς κόπου τε καὶ ἐξόδου τοῦ τιμίὅτατου εν ἰερομονάχοις κῦρου Σάβα καὶ κῦρου Ἰακόβου καὶ Βαρλαὰμ τῶν κτητόρων. Αὐθέντης ὁ Βλουκασίνος. Ἐπἷ ἒτους ϛπιη).
|
|
Braktos
|
Person
|
|
|
|
It is not clear, if he is the same person as Vratko, a nobleman of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, who held the position of župan in 1333 (župan Vratkō/çuppanus Vratcho). Vratko is mentioned in the archives of the city Dubrovnik under the date 7.1. 1333 (Et Vratico, qui fuit et est nobis favorabilispenes dominum regem, D. ducatos de auro; Et Vratico qui fuit et est nobis favorabilis penes dominum regem VIC ducatos de auro), 19. 3. 1336 (fuit sibi ablata una salma per Vraticum nomine domini regiss apud S. Sergium) and 11. 7. 1336 (conqueritur supra Vraticum baronem domini regis Raxie...valoris yp. 190 grossorum de cruçe). He is attested as knez also in two Ragusan charters concerning his belt, which was pawned in Dubrovnik and which he demanded back (pojasь kneza vratka; ōtь kneza Vratka). According to the later sources was knez Vratko the father of Princess Milica of Serbia and the father-in-law of her husband Serbian Despot Lazar Hrebeljanović. Konstantin Kostenečki and then several of the Serbian genealogies (rodoslov) reconstructed his ancestry back to Vukan Nemanjić. Mentioned for the year 1342 by the Byzantine historian Ioannes Kantakuzenos. He was a military commander of the Serbian auxiliary troops, 1342. He was one of the Serbian commanders, who were supporting the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos during the siege of Serres at the end of the summer 1342. He fell temporarily ill and the army had to remain in the military encampment for eleven days (ἐν ᾧ δὲ ταῦτα ἐτελεῖτο, Βράκτος τῶν ἡγεμόνων τῆς στρατιᾶς ὁ διαφορώτατος ἐνόσησε καὶ διεκαρτέρησεν ἐκεῖ ἡ στρατιὰ ἐστρατοπεδευμένη μίαν ἡμέραν ἐπὶ δέκα).
|
|
Bulkos
|
Person
|
|
|
|
He was born around 1345. He died on the 6th October 1397 in the Ottoman prison. His body was transferred by his brother Nikolaos Radochnas (Monk Gerasim) to the Mount Athos. He appears as a gospodinь in the slavic sources and as a dominus in the latin sources. He administered the region of Kastoria and Ōhrid according the Byzantine historians Ducas and Laonikos Chalkokondyles (ἐπὶ δὲ τῇ ἑτέρᾳ Βοῦλκον τὸν τοῦ Πράγκου τοῦ Μλαδένεω υἱόν, Καστορίας τε καὶ Ὀχρίδος τῆς ἐν Μακεδονίᾳ ἡγεμόνος; καὶ τὴν ἄλλην τὴν εἶχε δοσμένη τοῦ ἀφεντὸς τοῦ Μπούλκου ὁποὺ ὥριζε τὴν Καστορία καὶ τὴν Ὄχριδα). Laonikos Chalkokondyles calls him wrongly Ἐλεάζαρος and relates about the lands by the Danube as his dwelling place (τὰ μέντοι περὶ τὸν Ἴστρον Βούλκῳ τῷ Ἐλεαζάρῳ τοῦ Πράγκου ἐπέτρεψε). He controlled the larger part of today’s Kosovo. His dominion reached the eastern parts of Raška, the Polimlje in Montenegro and since 1376/1377 Skopje in the east. After the death of Đurađ I Balšić (13th January 1378) he seized the town of Prizren, Peć and the area of Metohija. He minted his own coins and issued charters. He was the son of Prankos Mladenes (ja Grьgurь i bratь mi Vlьkь, synove velikago sevastokratora Bran’ka gospodina že gradu Ohridu). He had two brothers (Nikolaos Radochnas, Grьgurь) and a sister (Theodora). He was married Mara, the daughter of the Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, since 1371. They had together three sons (Georgios Bulkos [Đurađ Branković] - ἦν γὰρ Γεώργιος, υἱὸς Βούλκου καὶ γαμβρὸς Λαζάρου, Prankos Bunko [Lazar Branković], Grьgurь [† 1408]). He and his brother Grьgurь gave Nikolaos Radochnas in 1365 the permission to donate the patrimonial church of Saint Archangel with three villages Trstenik, Bežanići, Tušilo and the selište Hudine to the Hilandar Monastery. He added between 1372 and 1396 the villages Banica, Vrьbovьcь, Štučince, Mučivarě near Trьstenik to the endowment of his brother for the Hilandar Monastery (Po sem’ že jaa blagočьsitivi Vlьkь, synь velikago sevastokratora Branьka raspaljaemь božьstvnyim želanïem velikuju věru i ljubovь iměje kь svetěi matery Hrista moego, priložihь domu ei čьstiomu monastiru bišerečen’nye lavry Hilandaru sela priležeštaa Trьsteniku: Banicu, Vrьbovьcь, Štučince, Mučivarě, sь vsěmi megjami i pravinami i sь ōttěsy selь těhь). He was a benefactor of the Kutlumus Monastery on the Mount Athos since 1370. He granted between 1376 and 1377 at the request of the Monk Gerasim, his brother, the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje with all possessions to the Hilandar Monastery (Azь, rabь Hristu Vlьkь, vьspominaju vь sьvědenije vsemь, kako pride brat mi Gerasimь poslanijemь monastirьskimь Svetije Gori Athōna, Svetije Bogorodice Hilandarьskije igumnōmь i vsega sьbora hilandarьskoga, i prosiše mi keliju u Skopju, ponježe ne imahu priběžišta ni kelije u Skopiju. I videvь nihь usrьdije i prošenije, i dah monastirь Svetago Geōrьgija s metohōmь i sь seli i sь vsemi pravinami gde se nahodi metohь Svetago Geōrgija ili u gradu ili na dvoru što jestь Svetago Geōrgija, vse priložihь Hilandaru). He is mentioned as a addressee of the embassy sent by the Ragusan republic in 1380 regarding the release of two citizens of Dubrovnik. He confirmed on the 20th January 1387 the privileges and rights of the Ragusan republic concerning the representation of the citizens of town Dubrovnik in the court assembly. He asked in August 1388 the representatives of the Ragusan republic to clear the old debt and to pay the new Tribute of Ston to the Monks in Jerusalem. He participated in the battle of Kosovo along with his father-in-law Lazar and the Bosnian King Tvrtko I. in 1389. The folk epic poetry portrays him in a bad light as a traitor. The fact is that he withdrew his troops from the battlefield. Between 1389 and 1396 he confirmed the privileges of the Ragusan republic. The Ottomans captured in 1391/1392 Skopje. Bulkos was forced by them to become their vassal. He exempted the Hilandar Monastery from paying the tax to the Ottomans on 21th November 1392. The Venetian republic granted him on 9th April 1394 the citizenship. His Čelnik Smilь deposited gold and silver for Bulkos at Dubrovnik in January 1395. He was captured and imprisoned by the Ottomans not long after the battle of Nicopolis. He is portrayed on the western facade of the chapel of Saint George in the Church of the Holy Mother of God Peribleptos at Ōhrid. There is an inscription next to his image (VELIK...GNБ VLБKБ SNБ SEVASTOKRATORA BRANKA). He commisioned a slavic translation of the chronicle of Georgios Monachos (Hamartolos) in 1387 (Pisa se povelěnyjemь gospodina Vlьka).
|
|
Dmitьrь
|
Person
|
|
|
|
Vladimir Ćorović suggested that Dmitьrь was the patron of the fresco painting of the Saint Nicholas in the lunette of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Prilep (primi gospodi molenie raba svoego dimitra). Gojko Subotić showed that the corresponding inscription was made in 1477/1478. He is mentioned in the sources from 1376/1377 to 1412. He died after 30th June 1407 and before 1410. A certain terminus ante quem is the charter of the Court judge Simon Rozgonyi from 29th July 1412, where the death of Dmitьrь is attested (tempore mortis condam Demetrij filij Vilkuli, Regis tunc similiter Castellani de Wylagusuar). He appears as kraljevikь, dominus, viro magnifico ac spectabili in the sources. He held the position of the castellanus of the town Világos (now Şiria), 1404–1409/1410? and comes comitatus of the Zaránd (now Arad) county, 1404–1407/1408. He was the son of the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos and Lena. His siblings were Markos, Andrěašь, Ivanišь and Olivera. He is attested in the ktitorial inscription above the south door in the interior of the Church of the so-called Marko’ Monastery (Saint Demetrius Monastery in Sušice near Skopje), which was completed in 1376/1377 (Izvōlenïemь ōtca i voplьšenïem sina i sьšestviemь svetago duha ōbnovi se i popisa si svety i božestavni hramь svetago velikōmučenika Hristova pobědōnosca i myrotočьca Dimitrija sь usrьdïemь i potštanïemь blagověrnago kralja Vlkašina sь blagověrniei kralice Eleny i sь prěvazljublenym eju i prьvorodnimь sinomь blagověrnimь kraljemь Markomь i Andreašemь i Ivanïšemь i Dimïtrom vь lěto ·ѕ·ō·p·e· si že monastirь nače se zdati lěto ·ѕ·ō·n·g· vь dni blagověrnago cara Stefana i hristoljubivago kralja Vlьkašina a sьvrši se vь dьni blagověrnago i hristoljubivago kralja Marka). After the death of his father in 1371 he remained at the court of his mother Lena. He probably left Macedonia with his brother Andrěašь following the meeting at Serres in winter 1393/1394, because they refused to serve the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I. He and his brother Andrěašь came in summer 1394 to Dubrovnik. They received on 10th August 1394 374 perper and 6 grossi from the treasury of their father, which was deposited at the place of the nobleman Pavle Barabić (Paulus de Baraba). The last part of the treasury was reserved for their brother King Markos (denarii quondam regis Volchassini....due partes Andree et Dymitrio, filiis et heredibus condam regis Volcasini, mandato prescripti domini rectoris perperos trecentos septuaginta quatuor et grossos sex, tertia parte dictorum yperperorum reservata pro Marcho rege). Dmitьrь and Andrěašь were pleasently surprised by the large amount of money, that was paid to them by the Ragusan republic. They migrated afterwards in Hungary according to a later charter of the Ragusan republic for the duke Sandal Hranjić from 1423. They found their livelihood in Hungary (trovaron pane). Dmitьrь came again to Dubrovnik 1399. He collected the Hungarian tribute on behalf of the Hungarian King Sigismund (De promittendo ex gracia Dymitrio filio condam regis Volchassini, quod portando literam preceptoriam et expeditoriam a domino nostro regi Hungarie in forma consueta tributi quingentorum ducatorum, quos tenemur dicto domino nostro regi, dandi ipsi Dymitrio, dabimus et solvebimus illud eidem pro tempore hactenus preterito, quod debetur dicto domino nostro regi). He also picked up the last part of the treasury of his father on this occasion. Before he received the money, he had to prove that no legitimate heirs of King Marko exist (partem depositi, quod posuit ipse dominus rex Volchassin, que spectabat Marcho eius fratri, probando ipso Dymitras nobis, quod ipse Marchus non dimisit heredes legitimos). In 1400 Dmitьrь stayed in the town of Dubrovnik as an envoy of the Hungarian King Sigismund according to the charter of the Ragusan Republic for the Grand duke Hrvoje Vukčić. Dmitьrь asked the Ragusians to not relaese the Ottoman embassy to the Sultan (ōvьde se naměri Dmitьrь kraljevikь i tьdi se prigōdiše posli Turačski u našemь grafu da minu prěko mora. Doide k namь Dmitьrь mole da ihь ne propustimo, a mi tozi ništorь ne čusmo propustismo ihь, i prigōše slobodno tolikog je i dьnasь i vьzda mogu vsakōi posli slobodno poki). The Ragusan archives record between 20th and 22th December 1402 that Dmitьrь collected the tribute for the Hungarian King Sigismund. In March 1403 the tribute was given to Rafael Gučetić, who acted on behalf of Dmitьrь (Prima pars est de assignando Ser Raphaeli de Gozijs ad duhanam salis nostri communis cum ordine ducatos quingentos, recipienti nomine domini Dimitrii filii condam regis Vocassini pro tributo domini nostri regis Hungarie millesimi trecentesimi nonagesimi de mense marcii, assignato dicto domino Dimitrio per dominum regem, et hoc pro literis expeditoriis et preceptoriis dicti domini Dimitrii scribenti nobis super hoc literas suas). The Hungarian King Sigismund issued on 30th June 1407 a charter, where he appealed on Dmitьrь to give up the acts of violence towards the possession of Sigismundus, who was the son of Ban Ladislaus, the lord of Lučenec (Losonci) at Pankota (now Pâncota).
|
|
Ivanišь
|
Person
|
|
|
|
He died on 18th September 1385. The third son of the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos and Lena. His siblings were Marko, Andrěašь, Dimitarь and Olivera. He is attested in the ktitorial inscription above the south door in the interior of the Church of the so-called Marko’ Monastery (Saint Demetrius Monastery in Sušice near Skopje), which was probably completed in 1376/1377 (Izvōlenïemь ōtca i voplьšenïem sina i sьšestviemь svetago duha ōbnovi se i popisa si svety i božestavni hramь svetago velikōmučenika Hristova pobědōnosca i myrotočьca Dimitrija sь usrьdïemь i potštanïemь blagověrnago kralja Vlkašina sь blagověrniei kralice Eleny i sь prěvazljublenym eju i prьvorodnimь sinomь blagověrnimь kraljemь Markomь i Andreašemь i Ivanïšemь i Dimïtrom vь lěto ·ѕ·ō·p·e· si že monastirь nače se zdati lěto ·ѕ·ō·n·g· vь dni blagověrnago cara Stefana i hristoljubivago kralja Vlьkašina a sьvrši se vь dьni blagověrnago i hristoljubivago kralja Marka). After 1371 he moved to Zeta, where he stayed at the court of Balša II Balšić (Μπάλσας II). He supported the Zetians, who fought against the Ottoman Vizier Hayraddīn. He fell in the battle of Savra (battle of Vjosa) between the Zetians and Ottomans on 18th September 1385 according to the later historian Mauro Orbini.
|
|
Markos
|
Person
|
|
|
|
The fragmentary preserved inscription above the entrance on the south wall of the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Drenovo, which is dated to 1356 or later, refers to a painter Dimitr’, who worked on the decoration of the church Drenovo after the death of the Serbian Emperor Stefan (probably Uroš IV Dušan) at the same time as the dominion was controlled by Nikola (Nikola Stanjevikь?) and Marko (Markos, the King?) (sьzda se hram’ si v’ lě.. ѕ i ō.....i azь Dimitr’ zugraf priloh’ vь hramь sei...lě..z i d i pisah’ pri drž’avě Nikole i Markě po smrьti svetorodnago cara Stefana). The hypothesis about the identity of Marko from the inscription and Markos was refuted by Evgenij P. Naumov. He died on 17th May 1395. He appears in the sources as mladi kralj. He was the co–ruler of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V, 27.9.1371–2. (4.) 12. 1371, since 2. (4). 12. 1371 formal king of the Serbian Empire. He was the son of the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos and Lena. His siblings were Andrěašь, Dmitьrь, Ivanišь and Olivera. He was married to Jelena, the daughter of Radoslabos Chlapenos. He divorced her and lived then with Thodora, who was the daughter of a certain Grьgurь, probably Grьgurь Branković. After the romance with Thodora ended, Markos gave Thodora to Radoslabos Chlapenos and remarried Jelena according to dijak Dobre, who wrote about it in a note in the festal Menaion (Pysa se sija knyga u Porěči, u selě zovom Kalugerecь vь dьni blagověrnago kralja Mar’ka, jegda ōdade Thodoru Grьgurovu ženu Hlapenu, a uze ženu svoju prьvověn’čan’nu Jelenu, Hlapenovu dьštere). Markos divorced her again because of her bad behaviour according to Mauro Orbini. The later Greek chronicler Makarios Melissenos relates that Andronikos IV Palaiologos, the son of the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes V Palaiologos, together with his father-in-law Markos, who ruled over the Bulgarian land, sought help at the court of the Ottoman Sultan (καὶ τοῦ πενθεροῦ αὐτοῦ Μάρκου τοῦ τῆς Βουλγαρίας ἔτι μέρος δεσπόζοντος). In July 1361 he was in Dubrovnik as an emissary. The Ragusans gave him back his silver deposit under the condition that he will not trade with it and with the 25 pounds of silver, which belonged to Lena, his mother (Prima pars est de restituendo Marco ambaxiatori argentum suum cum hac conditione, quod non possit emere mercationes cum ipso nisi de libris XXV argenti uxoris Volcassini). Demetrios Blukasinos intended to marry Markos to the daughter of the Croatian nobleman Gregor Pavlović Šubić. Demetrios Blukasinos contacted therefore the Bosnian King Tvrtko at whose court the woman lived as a protégé. The plan of Demetrios Blukasinos failed because of the opposition of Pope Urban V, who did not allow to marry the catholic princess to schismatic Markos. Pope Urban V expressed his point of view to Tvrtko in a letter from April 1370 (quodque tu eandem puellam tradere nuptui filio mangnifici viri Regis Rascie scismatico absque dictorum parentum voluntate procuras, in anime ipsius puelle periculum, eorundem parentum iniuriam et offensam fidei christiane). Markos is attested along with his mother Lena and his brother Andrěašь in the charter of the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos for the Ragusan Republic, which was issued on 5th April 1370 (i po vʼse dni veselešti mi se vь zemʼli kraljevstva mi sь prěvьzljubljenʼnomь kraljestva mi kralicomь kyra Lěnom i sь prěvьzʼljubʼljenʼnimi synovi kraljevstva mi Markomь i Anьdrějašemь). The Church of Saint Sunday (Sveta Nedela) in Prizren was renovated under the patronage of Markos in 1370/1371. He is attested as a young king in the ktirorial inscription (izvōljenjemь ōtca i vьplьštenijemь sina i blagodětiju svetago duha. sii svety i božьstvny hramь prěčьstïe vladičice naše bogordice. vьhoda ne sьzda se ï popisa. Pōvělěnïemь ï sь ōtkupōmь gospodina mladago krala marka lěto ·ѕ·ō·o·th· indiktiōn th). Ioannes Unklesis mentioned Markos in the charter for the Monastery Lavra on the Holy Mount Athos from April 1371 as his anepsei. Markos and Demetrios Blukasinos planned a campaign against Nikola Altomanović in the spring 1371. They camped near Skutari, on the territory of their ally Đurađ I Balšić, in July 1371 and were ready to attack Onogošt in the land of Altomanović (Li çintili homini et lo comun di Ragusa reçevi una littera, la qual lor mandasti tu Andrea Pastrovich, dando lor a savere, ca Jura cum misser lo re Volchassin et cum Marco suo fio, cum lor hoste son suta Scutari, et va sovra çuppan Nicola o in Anagast). The attack never took place, because the Ottomans threatened Ioannes Unklesis. Demetrios Blukasinos rushed to help his brother. After Ioannes Unklesis and Demetrios Blukasinos were killed at the battle of Marica on 26th September 1371, Markos became the co–ruler of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V. When the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V. died on 2th (or 4th) December 1371, Markos became the formal king of the Serbian Empire, but his rule was never accepted by the local Serbian aristocrats. Subsequently, the Serbian local aristocrats took advantage of the militarily weakened position of Markos and gradually seized large parts of his lands. Lazar took very early Priština and Novo Brdo, in 1372 Đurađ I Balšić occupied Prizren, later Kastoria, Bulkos (Vlkь Brankovikь) controlled since 1376/1377 the Skopje area and Konstantinos Dragases with his brother Ioannes expanded also their territory at the expense of Markos. Markos ruled since then over the area of Pelagonia and had his stronghold in Prilep. Markos minted his own coins. Markos renovated also the Church of the Saint Archangels in Prilep around 1372. The main entrance to the church is flanked by the painted portrait of Demetrios Blukasinos and Markos, who is depicted in the white sakkos. The portrait of Markos bears an inscription (Vь hrista boga věrenь kralь Marko). Markos became the vassal of the Ottoman sultan following the meeting at Serres in winter 1393/1394. Markos rebuilt the Saint Demetrius Monastery near the village Sušica (the so-called Marko’s Monastery) between 1376/1377 and 1381 (Izvōlenïemь ōtca i voplьšenïem sina i sьšestviemь svetago duha ōbnovi se i popisa si svety i božestavni hramь svetago velikōmučenika Hristova pobědōnosca i myrotočьca Dimitrija sь usrьdïemь i potštanïemь blagověrnago kralja Vlkašina sь blagověrniei kralice Eleny i sь prěvazljublenym eju i prьvorodnimь sinomь blagověrnimь kraljemь Markomь i Andreašemь i Ivanïšemь i Dimïtrom vь lěto ·ѕ·ō·p·e· si že monastirь nače se zdati lěto ·ѕ·ō·n·g· vь dni blagověrnago cara Stefana i hristoljubivago kralja Vlьkašina a sьvrši se vь dьni blagověrnago i hristoljubivago kralja Marka). The lunette of the south door of the monastery church is decorated with his portrait. Markos is shown holding a horn in his right hand and a scroll with the inscription Azь vь Hrista Boga blagověrьni kralь Markos sьzdahь i popisahь sy božestvni hramь. He together with his brother Markos marched in 1389 with the troops of the Ottoman Sultan Murad I against the army of the Serbian Prince Lazaros (Lazar Hrebeljanović) and Bulkos (Vuk Branković) according to the Tronoški rodoslov from the 18th century (Amuratь že ōbrativь voinstvō skoe na deržavu lazarevu, predvodimь markomь i andreemь). He together with Konstantinos Dragases as Ottoman vassals marched on the side of the Sultan Bayazid I. against the Wallachian army led by Mircea the Elder. He perished in the battle of Rovine on 17th May 1395. Markos is the hero of the Serbian epic poetry.
|
|
Mladenes
|
Person
|
|
|
|
It is not entirely clear, if he is the same person as Mladen, the castellanus (head or governor) of the town Skopje bond by some kind of dependant relationship to Grgurь Kurjaković (Gregorii de Coriach), who was in a close relationship with the Serbian king Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. The castellanus Mladen appears on the notarial record from 1333 preserved in the Ragusan archive. Mladenes is mentioned in the sources from August 1319 to the period of the reign of the Serbian Ruler Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. He was župan (count) in the region of Trebinje, 1319. Attested as vojvoda (general) since 1323 (Mladeno voivode). He had the governence of the region around Ohrid and Prilep during the reign of the Serbian ruler Stefan Uroš IV Dušan according to the Byzantine historian Laonikos Chalkokondyles (τὰ δὲ περὶ Ὀχρίδα τε καὶ Πριλαπαίων χώραν οὕτω καλουμένην ἐπέτρεψε Μλαδένῃ εὐθύνειν, ἀνδρὶ οὐκ ἀγεννεῖ). He was an offspring of the Vukan family and the son of a certain Gjurgicь according to the Serbian rodoslovi (Zavidь že synь Vlkanōv rodi Gjur’gïcq: I Gjurgicь rōdi Mladena). His son was Branko Mladenović (Prankos Mladenes) and his daughter was Radoslava. He was the brother of Nikola. He addressed on 20th August 1319 a judical decision to the Ragusans. He ruled that Petarь, the son of the župan Toljenь, was guilty and had to pay to Hlapь Valetikь 40 Venetian grosso (Poklonenie knezu i kь ōpьkine ōtь župana Mladena. Uprelь estь Hlapь Valetikь Petra Tolenovika, da bega mu krivь bude, da pravьda mu e naša jukazala gde ti ga može seki, da svoe uzme, ili na nimь ili na negovehь ljudehь, de mu e pravьda naša ukazala da svoe uzme/Die XX augusti 1319 Clape Valetich de Raugia habuit quandam causam cum Petre filio iuban Tolen coram juban Mladen, qui jubanus Mladen judicavit ipsum Petro esse tortum dicto Clappe, et quod dictus Clappe possit se solvere supra dictum Petre et homines suos ubicumque poterit eos invenire, qui in lictera his apposita continetur. Qui Clape petit sibi apposita continetur. Qui Clape petit sibi solidos XL venetorum grossorum). He together with the Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski forced in 1323 Prodaša (Prodasse), Vladimir and Vitomir to compensate the Ragusans for plundering the valleys of Ombla (Rijeka Dubrovačka) and Malfi (Zaton) and for taking away cattle, clothes and other things from there. The charter of Stefan Uroš III Dečanski from 25th March 1326, in which the Serbian King granted trading rights to the Ragusans, was witnessed by vojvoda Mladenes, tepčija Vladoje and čelnik Gjurašь (A tu běše vojevoda Mladěn i tep’či Vladoje i čel’nikь Gjurašь). He is attested in the written record, which is part of the Serbian prologue from the 14th century (now State Historical Museum, Chludov collection Nr. 189) (Gospodinu mi kralju ōt rabotnika ti voevode Mladěna).
|
|
Mladenes Prankos
|
Person
|
|
|
|
Died probably before 11th March 1365. The chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V from 11th March 1365 refers to him as Sebastokrator (Romanь, synь sěvastokratora Bran’ka). He held the position of a Governor of Ōhrid between 1355 – 1365 (ἐπὶ δὲ τῇ ἑτέρᾳ Βοῦλκον τὸν τοῦ Πράγκου τοῦ Μλαδένεω υἱόν, Καστορίας τε καὶ Ὀχρίδος τῆς ἐν Μακεδονίᾳ ἡγεμόνος). His father was Mladen. His sister was Radoslava. He had three sons (Vuk Branković [Bulkos], Radonja [Nikolaos Radochnas], Grgur) and a daughter (Teodora). A psalter, which is now in the collection of the manuscripts in the library of the Romanian Academy of Sciences (Nr. 205), was written in 1346 by a certain Iōanь Bogoslav at the place called Borьčь (Borča) and designed for Branko Mladenović (Prankos Mladenes) (Izvolenijemь božijemь i vьplьštenijemь svetago duha i roždenijemь syna sii psaltirь napisa se pomoštiju božijeju i prěčistyje jego matere vь lěto .ѕōndʹ., jenьdikьto .g., sь potьštanijemь priležnymь i vsesrьdьčnymь jaže u ustavu božьstvьnyhь pisanii, napisa si psaltirь Branьko Mladěnovikь a rukoju mnogogrěšnaago, zavitaago vь sujetii žitiistěmь raba božija Iōana, a zavomь Bogoslava, vь měste rekoměmь Borьčь, vь dьni blagověrьnaago i bogočьtivaago i samodrьžьca vsěhь srьbьskyhь zemlь i pomorьskyhь kralja Stefana i syna mu kralja Uroša, vь to vrěme prěje gospodinь kralь Stěfanь gradь Kosturь, gradь Bělgradь, gradь Kaminu). Two pieces of embroidery, one of which is kept in the Hermitage and the other in the British Museum, belonged to Branko (Prankos Mladenes). The name of the owner and the motif of a lion near the name imply that it was once worn by Branko. His son Radonja/Roman (Nikolaos Radochnas) donated the patrimonial church of Saint Archangel with three villages Trstenik, Bežanići, Tušilo and the selište Hudine, which was granted by the Serbian Emperor to his father Branko, to the Hilandar Monastery. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V confirmed the endowment of Radonja/Roman (Nikolaos Radochnas) on 11th March 1365 in a chrysobull charter (I kako prihodi kь carьstvu mi v’sečьstni starьcь Svetije Gori Athona, Romanь, synь sěvastokratora Bran’ka, i uspomenu carьstvu mi kako se jestь zgovorilь svoimь bratōmь Grьguromь i Vlьkōmь, i kako da prilože ōdь svoje baštine crьkvi svetoi Bogorodici hilandarskoi, i za uspomenutije v’sčьsthenoga star’ca Romana svoōm bratiōmь darova mu carьstvo mi crьkovь baštinu a svetago arьhangela s trьmi seli: s Trьstěnikomь i z Běžaniki i s Tušilōmь i selištemь, što jestь dalo bilo carьstvo mi sěvastokratoru Bran’ku s Hudinami ō česa jestь žitěje u Bugare poběglь, a pod crьkovь svetu Bogorodicu hilandar’sku).
|
|
Radochnas Nikolaos
|
Person
|
|
|
|
Died on 3th December 1399. He appears as κῦρ in the sources. He was the Monk of the Hilandar Monastery (I vьz’ljubi žiti vь domu Svetyje Bogorodice Hilan’dar’skye, eže jestь novaa lavra). He was later Monk of the Saint Paul Monastery on Mount Athos. He was the eldest son of Prankos Mladenes. He had two brothers (Vuk Branković [Bulkos], Grьgurь) and a sister (Theodora). His wife, Helena (Elene), was the sister of Ioan Uglješa (Ioannes Unklesis). She and their two daughters died between 1358 and 1364 (Ἐκοιμήθη ἡ περιπόθητος αὐταδέλφη τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου κῦρ Ἰωάννου τοῦ Οὔγκλεση κυρὰ Ἐλένη, ἡ ὁμόζυγου τοῦ εὐγενεστάτου κῦρ Νικολάου τοῦ Ραδόχνα. Συνετάφησαν δὲ ταύτῃ καὶ αἱ φίλτατοι αὐτῆς δύο θυγατέρες). He founded the chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas between 1358 and 1364, which was situated on the upper floor of the Katholikon of the Saint John Prodromos Monastery near Serres. He donated the patrimonial church of Saint Archangel with three villages Trstenik, Bežanići, Tušilo and the selište Hudine, which was granted by the Serbian Emperor to his father Branko, to the Hilandar Monastery. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V confirmed the endowment of Radonja/Roman (Nikolaos Radochnas) on 11th March 1365 in a chrysobull charter (I kako prihodi kь carьstvu mi v’sečьstni starьcь Svetije Gori Athona, Romanь, synь sěvastokratora Bran’ka, i uspomenu carьstvu mi kako se jestь zgovorilь svoimь bratōmь Grьguromь i Vlьkōmь, i kako da prilože ōdь svoje baštine crьkvi svetoi Bogorodici hilandarskoi, i za uspomenutije v’sčьsthenoga star’ca Romana svoōm bratiōmь darova mu carьstvo mi crьkovь baštinu a svetago arьhangela s trьmi seli: s Trьstěnikomь i z Běžaniki i s Tušilōmь i selištemь, što jestь dalo bilo carьstvo mi sěvastokratoru Bran’ku s Hudinami ō česa jestь žitěje u Bugare poběglь, a pod crьkovь svetu Bogorodicu hilandar’sku). His brothers gave him the permission to donate the patrimonial church of Saint Archangel with three villages Trstenik, Bežanići, Tušilo and the selište Hudine to the Hilandar Monastery (Togda myi za egovo slad’ko bratoljubïe vьsesrьdьčno i ljubovno prijesmo za egovo hotěnïe i za pomoljenïe bratьsko i priložismo crьkvь svetago Arhaggela i sь selomь Trьstenikomь i sь vsakomь pravinomь crьkve tezi i sela toga i s měgjami sь ōttěsy i s Tušiljemь. I selište Hudin’ce sь megjami i sь vsěmь oprav’danïem ihь prosto rekь sь vsěmь oprav’danïemь što e bylь gospodinь i roditelь našь sevastokratorь priložilь crьkvy toizi. I ešte velikuju ego vьspomenuv’še bratoljubnuju i vsesrьdьčnuju ljubovь. Paky i za egovo umoljennïe priložismo gospodinu i otьcu našemu Rōmanu selo Bežanikje sь vsěmi megjami sela togo). He together with Antonije Bagaš (Antonios Pagases) bought probably before 1366 a ruined monastery complex on Mount Athos dedicated to Saint Paul. The Monastery of Xeropotamu allowed them to restore and found it. The monks of the Xeropotamu Monastery demanded after a few years their former property back. Matthaios, the patriarch of Constantinople, tried to reconcile both monasteries in dispute by issuing a sigillion. The sigillion of Matthaios from October 1403 mentions also Gerasim (Gerasimos) as one of the founders of the Saint Paul Monastery. He was a benefactor of the Kutlumus Monastery on the Mount Athos since 1370. He was in the group of the monks from the Hilandar Monastery, which came to the court of Stefan Lazarević between 1392 and 1396 (I kako prïhōdi kь mně izь Hilandara čьstiěiši vь inōkōhь starьcь kyrь Gjerasimь). The monks requested the donation of the Church of the Presentation of Mary at Ibar, which was a former patrimonial possession of Obrad Dragosaljić, to the Hilandar Monastery. He transferred the body of his deceased brother Vuk Branković [Bulkos] on Mount Athos in 1397.
|
|
Unklesis Ioannes
|
Person
|
|
|
|
He died on 29th June 1371 during the battle against the Ottomans at Černomen/Marica. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš V bestowed on 9th August 1365 the title of Despot upon him. Ioannes Unklesis enlarged the Simonos Petra-Monydrion and made from it the Simonos Petra-Monastery on the Mount Athos out of gratitude for being awarded with the title. He endowed it with many lands. Ioannes Unklesis issued between 9th August 1365 and October 1368 a chrysobull charter regarding his ktitorial activity in the Simonos Petra-Monastery on Mount Athos, which has been preserved only in the transcription of Kyrillos Lukaris, the Patriarch of Constantinople, from 1622/1623. He designates himself as δεσπότης καὶ αὐτοκράτωρ πάσης Σερβίας καὶ Ῥωμανίας in this charter. He signed the charter in favour of the Zographu-Monastery on the Mount Athos in February 1369 as Ἰωάννης ἐν Χριστῶ τῷ Θεῷ πιστὸς δεσπότης καὶ αὐτοκράτωρ, ὁ Οὔγκλεσης. He designated his reign since March 1368 as βασιλεία. He retained this self-designation till 1371. This self-designation appears in the Slavic documents in the form „carstvo“. He was the groom (ἱπποκόμος) of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. Ioannes Unklesis, who held the position of grand duke, confirmed in 1358 an endowment of his mother-in-law, the wife of Boichnas, for the Kutlumus Monastery (ὅπερ ἐπροσίλοσεν ἡ ἁγία μου κυρία ἡ Κεσάρισα πρὸς αὐτὴν τὴν μονὴν ἐν τι τοποθεσία τὴ ἐπικεκλημένι ἡ Προυνέα χάριν ψυχηκὴς δωρεὰς αὐτῆς ζευγαρίων τεσσάρον... ἐγὼ Οὔγλεσις μέγας βοεβόδας ἀπὸ τὴς αὐτοῦ ἐλεημοσίνης τοὺ αὐθέντου ἡμῶν τοὺ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου καὶ τοὺ ἀδελφοὺ αὐτοὺ τοὺ [...τ...]ου μου στέργο καὶ βεβεῶ τὰ τιαύτα χωράφια εἰς τὴν Προυνέαν γὴν ζευγαρίων τεσάρον ὅπος νέμωσην οἱ τιαύτοι μοναχοὶ τὴς θείας βασιλεικῆς μονῆς τοὺ Κουτλουμούσι ἀκολείτος). He signed the document as velik vōevoda. His father was Margnaua (Orbini)/ Margna (Luccari), who was a poor nobleman from Livno in Hum. Ioannes Unklesis was the cousin (ἀνεψιός) of Helene, the Serbian Empress. His brother was Demetrios Blukasinos and his sister was Helene. The husband of his sister was Nikolaos Radochnas (Νικόλαος ῾Ραδόχνας, Nikola Radonja). He was married to Euphemia. Ioannes Unklesis was the son-in-law of Boichnas (Voihna). He was the father of Uglješa, who died as a child. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan took his father and the whole family to the court. The senate of the Ragusan republic (Consilium rogatorum) granted the payment of 50 ducats to Ioannes Unklesis on 22th July 1346 (In consilio rogatorum, in quo interfuerunt 34 consiliarii, captum fuit per omnes, nemine discortante, quod Ugiesse barono huius contrate noviter misso a domino imperatore, pro confirmanda et captanda benivolentia cum ipso ei ut habeat causam bene vivendi cum terra, de avere comunis detur et donetur eidem usque florenos seu ducatos L, prout videbitur d. comiti et suo minori consilio). Ioannes Unklesis governed independently in the are of Serres, Christupolis (Kavala), Philippoi, Drama and Zichnai. He had a good connection to the monks in Mount Athos and acknowledged Sabas, the Protos at the Mount Athos, in 1369 as his spiritual father. The Batopedi Monastery on the Mount Athos obtained at the beginning of the year 1365 from Ioannes Unklesis the Monastery of Theotokos Spelaiotissa in the vicinity of the town Melnik with vineyards and gardens, the village Tzukarades, land near the gate of the Lower Town of Melnik, twelwe subjects within the fortress of Melnik, the village Katunitza, the monydrion Hagios Georgios Aliseres, the village Hagia Kyriake, the village Dempreane, the village Mpusdobos, four mills within the fortress of Melnik, two mills in Katunitza, and other lands in the vicinity of the town Melnik. The Byzantine Emperor Ioannes V Palaiologos issued in September 1365 a chrysobull charter at the request of the Despot Ioannes Unklesis, in which he donated estates in the vicinity of Serres and Kalamaria to the Hilandar Monastery (Ἐπεὶ ὁ περιπόθητος ἀνεψιὸς τῆς ὑψηλοτάτης δεσποίνης Σερβίας καὶ περιποθήτου ἀδελφῆς τῆς βασιλείας μου, εὐτυχέστατος δεσπότης τῆς Σερβίας κῦρ Ἰωάννης ὁ Οὔγκλεσις, ἐζήτησε καὶ παρεκάλεσε τὴν βασιλείαν μου ἵνα γένηται χρυσόβουλλον τοῖς μοναχοῖς τῆς κατὰ τὸ ἅγιον ὄρος τοῦ Ἄθω διακειμένης σεβασμίας μονῆς, τῆς εἰς ὄνομα τιμωμένης τῆς πανυπεράγνου δεσποίνης καὶ θεομήτορος καὶ ἐπικεκλημένης τοῦ Χελανταρίου, καὶ κατέχωσι καὶ εἰς τοεξῆς τὸ περὶ τὰς Σέρρας χωρίον, τὸ καλούμενον τοῦ Ποθολινοῦ, ἔτι τε τὸ ἐν τῇ Καλαμαρίᾳ ἕτερον χωρίον τὸ καλούμενον Λιγνὸν μετὰ τῆς σκάλλας αὐτοῦ). In January 1366 ugodni vlastelin Novakь Mrasorovikь addressed the request to the Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis and also to the Serbian King Demetrios Blukasinos to approve his donation of the village Koprivljane to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos. Both of them confirmed the endowment of Novakь Mrasorovikь to the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos in a separate chrysobull charter (Sьdrьžeštu mi sia vsa blagověrьnōmu i Bogomь postavlěnnōmu despotu Iōanu Ugleši despotьstvujuštu; blagōvěrьnyi despotь Iōannь Uglešь). The Despot Ioannes Unklesis sponsored the hospital at the Batopedi Monastery and the Esphigmenu Monastery as well. He erected the monydrion of Saint Nicholas at Karyes. He was the ktitor of the small church of Saint Anargyroi at the Batopedi Monastery, where he is portrayed as a patron. The Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis confirmed the donation of Kaisar Boichnas (Voihna) for the monk and spiritual father Daniil. He approved all privileges concerning the Church of the Saint Archangels Michael and Gabriel above Gabrovo for him (Kako pride kь carьstvu mi čьstni starьcь duhovьnikь kyrь Daniil…Mihaila i Gabrila više Gabrova, i prinese mi zapisanie gospodina….roditelě mi kesara, i viděhь pročtohь čto jestь zapisalь i….kesarь Voihna, i ini hristoljubivi crьkvi onoizi ljud…..zemle: bystь hotěnije carьstvu mi kudě godě mu se što nahodi……hru….ljud…..vinogradь, perivolja, ili i mlinь, ima hotěnije carьstvo mi kako da je……vь věkomь, i da jestь pace svobodna, nikiimь nepotьknovlenno….). Ioannes Unklesis donated in April 1369 the village Neōhorь on the plain of Mavrovo with all boundaries and rights to the Monastery of Kutlumus. The monastery obtained all estates, which were in possession of Theōdorь Ōduevikь. The community of monks on the Mount Athos received also pronoia helders with people, land parcels and fruit trees, which were in some way dependent upon Kalabaris (Kalavar) (selo u poli Mavrovьskom imenem Neōhorь sь vsemi megami i s pravinami sela togai, sь vsemь što e drьžalь Theōdorь Ōduevikь pri carstvě mi, i pri Kalavari proniari što su drьžali ili ljudi ili vokie sь vsem periorom sela). At the instance of the monk Theodosios and his confreres from the Monastery Batopedi Ioannes Unklesis pledged to grant in November 1369 120 hyperpyra per annum, extracted from the revenues of the lake of Porou, to the monastery. The Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis gave between 1369 and 1371 the selište located between the village Akroterion (Akrotirion) and the river Plumiska as a tax-free property to the Monastery of Batopedi with all rights. The selište was a possession of Lanzo (probably Lantzaretos), who lived at the time as Kalabaris or was bonded by a certain contract with Kalabaris (i darova crtvo mi ōbitěli prstie Bce Vatopedu selište megju Akrotiro, i megju Plumsko šte e drьžalь Lanzo pri Kalavari sь vsemi megjami i pravinami sela toga). The Protaton on Mount Athos gathered in December 1370 at the behest of the Serbian Despot Ioannes Unklesis ruled the dispute over the village of Mpresnitza in favour of the Hilandar Monastery. He endowed in 1370/1371 the Hilandar Monastery with the village Akroterion (Akrotirion) and the katun of Vlachs Zarvince. He gave also pastures and hunting grounds in the vicinity of the village Akroterion and the katun of Vlachs Zarvince to the monastery (I priložihь na jezěre, u prěděle rědinьskōmь, selo Akrotirь i s pašišti i sь lovišti i sь v’sěmi megjami i pravinami sela toga. I selo katunь vlahь imenemь Zar’vin’ce sь v’sěmi pašišti i megjami i pravinami sela togo). Ioannes Unklesis donated in or before 1371 a vineyard and a farmland in the place called Koremistes to the monastery complex Theotokos Kataphygion near Melnik (ἕτερον ἀμπέλιον καὶ ζευγηλατεῖον, εὑρισκόμενα περὶ τὸν τόπον τῆς Κορεμίστης, ἅπερ ἔδωκεν ὁ εὐτυχέστατος δεσπότης Σερβίας ὁ Οὔγκλεσης). In January 1371 Sabas, the Protos at the Mount Athos, granted the small monastery of Makrou to Ioannes Unklesis. In April 1371 Ioannes Unklesis donated the fishpond of Saint Theodore in the lake of Porou with all its possessions and rights, including the fishing privileges in the lagoon, to the Batopedi Monastery. Ioannes Unklesis established the contact with Constantinople in 1367/1368 in order to reconcile with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and to overcome the schism. He therefore received Theophanes, the Metropolitan of Nikaia and at the same time emissary of the patriarch of Constantiople, at his residence. He send im March 1368 a letter to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which has been preserved in the Register of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Ioannes Unklesis proposed in the letter that the metropolises in the territory of his realm, among them the Metropolises of Drama, Christupolis, Serres and Zichna should respect the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Philotheos Kokkinos, the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Ecumenil synod issued a charter in May 1371, where they officialy proclaimed the Union with the eparchies under the control of Ioannes Unklesis. Philotheos Kokkinos describes him as ὁ εὐτυχέστατος δεσπότης Σερβίας, κῦρις Ἰωάννης ὁ Οὔγκλεσης, τοῦ πλέον τοῖς ἡμετέροις μέρεσιν ἐγγίζοντος τόπου κύριος καταστὰς, ἄνθρωπος ὑπάρχων φρόνιμος καὶ καλὸς καὶ τρόπου καὶ συνειδήσεως ἀγαθῆς καὶ τὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φόβον κεκτημένος, ἠθέλησεν ἐπανασώσασθαι τὰς ἐκκλησίας ταύτας τῇ ἰδίᾳ μετρὶ καὶ κεφαλῇ τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν. Demetrios Blukasinos and his brother Ioannes Unklesis commanded the Serbian forces, which fought against the Ottoman army commanded by the Beglerbeg Lala Şahin Pasha and Evrenos near the village Černomen on 26th September 1371. His name is attested in the brebion (memorial book), which has been preserved at Protaton in Karyes on Mount Athos (Protaton 340 [113], 1v: Ἔτι δεόμεθα ὑπὲρ μακαρίας μνήμης καὶ ἀφέσεως τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τῶν ἀειμνήστων δούλων τοῦ Θεοῦ Δημητρίου κράλη καὶ Ἰωάννου δεσπότου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτοῖς ἀναιρεθέντων ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν).
|