Maps of Power

Mandić 1981

Properties

ID 14999
System Class Bibliography
Bibliography Book
Case Study Byzantino-Serbian Border Zones in Transition (1282–1355) , Historical Region of Macedonia TIB 16

Description

Svetislav Mandić, Črte i reze. Fragmenti starog imenika (Beograd 1981).

Relations

Actors (21)
Name Class Begin End Relation Type Description
(Povika?) Radoslav’ Person Identical with Radoslav Chlapen (Radoslabos Chlapenos)?. The old editor of the charter read the passage in the manuscript, which described his occupation, as Tornik and explained the word as his family name. He appears in the sources from 1355 to 1368. The charter refers to him as κῦρ. He was the Governor of Prizren, 1355?, Governor of Serres and čelnik (κεφαλῆς κῦρ τζελνίκου τοῦ Ῥαδοσθλάβου), 1365-1368. He was a relative and an oikeios of the Serbian Empress Jelena (Helene), presumably her son-in-law (τοῦ οἰκείου τε τῆ κραταιᾶ καὶ ἁγία ἡμῶν κυρία καὶ δεσποίνη καὶ γαμβροῦ ταύτης). According to the hypothesis of Konstantin Jireček Radoslav was the brother of čelnik Miloš and logotet Gjurgь from the Povika family. His name was interpolated in the falsified chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan from 1355, which confirmed the Monastery of Saint Petar Koriški as a metochion for the Hilandar Monastery. It can be inferred from context of the charter that he was at that time Governor of Prizren. He was an assessor in the court summoned by Sabas, the Metropolitan of Serres. The court decided the dispute over a plot of land in the village Zetinon (Zintzu) and a Church of Saint George in favor of the Esphigmenu Monastery against the Kastamonitu Monastery. He signed in August 1365 the charter issued on this occasion in Slavonic (Kefalja Radoslav’). He wrote to the Ragusan republic and confirmed that the belongings of the deceased logotet Gjurgь were rightly bequeathed to his second brother Miloš. He issued the respective document „in domo suo in civitate Serrarum“ on the 15th May 1368.
Ana Person Svetislav Mandić proposes, that Ana could be identical with Ana, the wife of Despot Mihael, who was the son of the Bulgarian Tsar Mihail III Šišman. Mentioned in the founding inscription from the years 1314/1315 in the Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište. She was the daughter of Jovanь Dragoslavь and Jelena. Her brother was Staniša. In the inscription from the years 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovanь Dragoslavь bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Dabiživь (3) Person Mentioned in the Lesnovski pomenik, a compilation of commemorations from the 16th to 18th century based on older sources. The terminus post quem for the entry regarding the family of the Despot Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) is 1353. He died on 25th November of an unspecified year. This date of memorial service is recorded by a later hand in the Oliver’s menaion from 1342 (Belgrade, National Library, Old collection Nr. 62, fol. 134v: Prěstavi se Dabiživь vь ·k·e· sego měseca) and also in the Lesnovian gospel from the 14th century (Zagreb, HAZU, Collection of A. Mihanović, Nr. 65, fol. 114: prěstavi se rabь boži Dabiživь vь ·k·e· sego měseca). He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Vidoslavь, Rusinь, Oliverь and Danica. He is attested in the Lesnovo pomenik along with his family as a ktitor (Poměni, gospodi, blagočьstivyihь ktitorь našihь vь carstvi si: Olivera děspota, i podružie Mariju, i čeda ihь: Dьnicu, Kraika, Damiana, Vidoslava, Dabiživa, Rusina, Olivera).
Damianos (2) Person He was born after 1340/1341. Mentioned in the sources from 1347 to 1349/1350. He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Vidoslavь, Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь and Danica. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and their sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) were the patrons of the parecclesion of the Saint John the Baptist in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid. The chapel was erected between the years 1347–1350. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and their son Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) are depicted within the ktitorial composition on the western wall of the chapel. Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa, Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) sponsored a new narthex as a addition to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The painted ktitorial composition with Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija), Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) is on the northern wall of the narthex. The fresco inscription above the entrance from the narthex to the naos gives details about the donors and the date 1349, when the narthex was decorated (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων, καὶ ἀνηστορίθη ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ταξιαρχου Μιχ δι’ ἐξόδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου Ιωάννου τοῦ Λύβερί. καὶ τῆς πανευτυχεστάτης βασιλείσης Μαρίας τῆς Λυβερίσης καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῶν, Κραίκου καὶ Δαμιανοῦ. ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλεί Στεφάνου καὶ Ἐλένης, καὶ τοῦ ύιοῦ αὐτῶν κράλη τοῦ Οὐροσι μηνὶ αὐγύστῳ ѕʹ ἔτους ϛωνζ ἰνδ β).
Dmitrь (3) Person Probably identical with the duke Dmitrь. He is attested for the first time as milostnikь (guarantee of the legal procedure) in the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery concerning the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael in Lesnovo from 15th August 1381. He is also mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from the year 1388 and the confirmation charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Church of Ascension in the Štip from 26th March 1388, which has been preserved in the Monastery Hagios Panteleemon on the Holy Mount Athos. The expression „istini i vьsesrьdьčni surodnikь i brat gospodstva mi vojevoda Dmitrь“ used in both charters was perceived by Matanov as a description of blood relationship between Konstantin Dragaš and Dmitrь. Matanov assumes that Dmitrь was the son of Dejan (Dragaš) and Konstantin was his brother. Dmirь got three villages (Kozjak, Rurak and Krivi Dol) as his inherited property from the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for his loyal service (I sela iže jestь iznašьlь brat gospodstva mi vojevoda Dmitrь, iže mu jestь darovalo gospodstvo mi za jegovo pravověrno porabotanie). Dmitrь bought before 1388 an estate in the town of Štip and erected the Church of Ascension on this place (I město ježe jestь iznašьlь bratь gospodstva mi Dmitrь vojevoda i kupilь u Štipu gradu sь v’sěmi pravinami města togo, ideže i sьzidalь otь osnovania crьkvь Vьznesenia Gospoda Boga i spasa naša Iisusa Hrista). Dmitrь endowed the Church of Ascension in Štip with the three villages and other properties and asked the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš to legalise his donation. The Serbian Despot confirmed his endowment in front of witnesses. Probably in the same year Dmitrь petitioned the Serbian Despot again. He donated the Church of Ascencion in Štip with the possessions and rights to the Hilandar Monastery. Konstantin Dragaš allowed and confirmed the transaction of Dmitrь in a separate charter). Mentioned in the supplicant inscription on the facade above the southern door of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. The inscription can be dated between 1331 and 1334. His parents were Dejanь and Vladislava. His brother was Iō(v)anь. He appears in the supplicant inscription on the facade above the southern door of the church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište (Primi gdi moleniie rabe svoie Vladislave i čěda eie Iōvana i Dmitra bg da ihь pomene v carstva svoemь).
Dragoslavь Jovanь Person Mentioned in several sources from 1288/1289 to 1314/1315 or 1318/1321. Sluga 1288/1289, kaznac 1300, veliki kaznac 1314/1315. He was married to Jelena. His son was Staniša. He had a daughter called Ana. Dragoslav first served the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin as sluga. The charter for the city of Dubrovnik from 1288/1289 was signed by the king in Prizren also in the presence of Dragoslav (A tu imь milostь stvori kralevstvo mi u Prizrene u grade, a stranь kralevstva mi beše sluga Dragoslavь i Budislavь Hvalьčikь). In 1300 Dragoslav appears in the charter of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin for the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje bearing the title of kaznac. His mother of law was in possession of the abandoned vineyard Mavrovo in Butelь and gave it to Dragoslav. He donated it to the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg (I Dragoslavь kaznьcь dade ōt tьst᾿nine si vinogradište Mavrovo u Buteli). He is mentioned as kaznac in the area of Sušica between 1300 and 1318/1321 in the colophone of the gospel, which was copied by a certain anagnost Radin from Nagoričino in Žegligovo (Začeše se i sьvrьšiše se sь božijeju pomoštiju v dьni kralě Uroša, i pri klalici Simonidě, i pri kaznьci Dragoslavě i kaznьčici kira Jelelě, ōbladajuštu kaznьcu Sušiceju, jegi se kralь razmiri z grьki, v lěto ōt· i· i· sotno jenьdikto ·le· a drugo i ne uznahь koje bi lěto). In the inscription from the 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovan Dragoslav bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Dьnica (2) Person Mentioned in the Lesnovski pomenik, a compilation of commemorations from the 16th to 18th century based on older sources. The terminus post quem for the entry regarding the family of the Despot Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) is 1353. She was the daughter of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). Her uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). She was the sister of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Dabiživь, Vidoslavь, Rusinь and Oliverь. She appears as an unnamed daughter of Ioannes Liberos in the accounts of the Byzantine historians Nikephoros Gregoras and Ioannes Kantakuzenos. Nikephoras Gregoras relates that the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos asked in 1342 his old friend Ioannes Liberos to smooth the way for an alliance with the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan. The Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos was according to Nikephoros Gregoras in so dire situation, that he even proposed a marriage between his son Manuel and the daughter of Liberos. Ioannes Kantakuzenos gives account of the effort of Ioannes Liberos to realise the marriage between his daughter and Manuel Kantakuzenos. Ioannes Liberos brought even the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan to convince the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos in regard of the engagment beween the daughter of Oliver and Manuel. Dьnica (Danica) is attested in the Lesnovo pomenik along with her family as a ktitorica (Poměni, gospodi, blagočьstivyihь ktitorь našihь vь carstvi si: Olivera děspota, i podružie Mariju, i čeda ihь: Dьnicu, Kraika, Damiana, Vidoslava, Dabiživa, Rusina, Olivera).
Iō(v)anь (1) Person Attested on the painting from the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište, which bears an identifying inscription. The wall paintings in Kučevište can be dated between 1331 and 1334. Mentioned also in the supplicant inscription on the facade above the southern door of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. His parents were Dejanь and Vladislava. His brother was Dmitarь. He is portrayed as a young man on the northern wall of the narthex in the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in the village Kučevište. His identity is confirmed by an inscription bearing his name (Iōanь). On the facade above the southern door of the church there is supplicant inscription of Vladislava and her sons (Primi gdi moleniie rabe svoie Vladislave i čěda eie Iōvana i Dmitra bg da ihь pomene v carstva svoemь).
Jelena (2) Person Mentioned in two inscriptions dated in the first twenty years of the 14th century. She appears as kira in the colophone of the so-called Radin gospel. She was married to Jovanь Dragoslavь. Her son was Staniša. She had a daughter called Ana. She is mentioned as the wife of kaznac Jovanь Dragoslavь in the colophone of the gospel, which was copied by a certain anagnost Radin from Nagoričino in Žegligovo between 1300 and 1318/1321 (Začeše se i sьvrьšiše se sь božijeju pomoštiju v dьni kralě Uroša, i pri klalici Simonidě, i pri kaznьci Dragoslavě i kaznьčici kira Jelelě, ōbladajuštu kaznьcu Sušiceju, jegi se kralь razmiri z grьki, v lěto ōt· i· i· sotno jenьdikto ·le· a drugo i ne uznahь koje bi lěto). In the inscription from the years 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovanь Dragoslavь bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Kraikos Person Mentioned in the sources from 1340/1341 to 1381. He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Vidoslavь, Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь and Danica. According to the stone inscription above the Western Entrance of the Katholikon in the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo from 1340/1341, his father Ioannes Liberos, his mother Maria Liberissa and he sponsored the reconstruction and the painted decoration of the monastery. Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa and Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) endowed the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo with lands in the surrounding area (sьzda se světlyi i čьs(t)nъï.hramь.velikago vojevode vьïšnih silь. Arhistratiga Mihaila. Sьzda se i sьvrьši se. Vь dni Stefan(a) kral(a). Sь trudomь. Ï podanijemь raba B(ož)ija Ïōan(a) veikago voevode Ōlivera. I podružija ego rabu B(o)žiju Annu. Maru i vьzljublennago emu s(y)na Kraika. V(ь) lět(o). ƺ.ō.m.ḟ. se že sela i metohïe. Selo konь crkve Lěsnovo. Sь zaselkomъ Lukovu i u Bakově crkvь S(ve)t(o)ga Nikole sь selomь. Ï na rěcě zaselьkь Globica i selo Dobrьevo i u Drěvěnoi. S(ve)tьï Elisei i zaslьk Peštno i S(ve)ty Prokopije. I katunь Vlah(a) na Stroi i u Štipě S(ve)ty Nikola pop Sïfievь. i. k. kukei). Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and his sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) were the patrons of the parecclesion of the Saint John the Baptist in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid. The chapel was erected between the years 1347–1350. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and their son Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) are depicted within the ktitorial composition on the western wall of the chapel. The portrait of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) is situated on the northern wall of the chapel. Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa, Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) sponsored a new narthex as a addition to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The painted ktitorial composition with Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija), Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) is on the northern wall of the narthex. The fresco inscription above the entrance from the narthex to the naos gives details about the donors and the date 1349, when the narthex was decorated (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων, καὶ ἀνηστορίθη ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ταξιαρχου Μιχ δι’ ἐξόδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου Ιωάννου τοῦ Λύβερί. καὶ τῆς πανευτυχεστάτης βασιλείσης Μαρίας τῆς Λυβερίσης καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῶν, Κραίκου καὶ Δαμιανοῦ. ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλεί Στεφάνου καὶ Ἐλένης, καὶ τοῦ ύιοῦ αὐτῶν κράλη τοῦ Οὐροσι μηνὶ αὐγύστῳ ѕʹ ἔτους ϛωνζ ἰνδ β). According to the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from 15th August 1381 Maria Liberissa expressed short before her death the will that the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo should devolve after her death on the Hilandar Monastery. Her sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Rusinь confirmed that their mother wanted to donate the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo to the Hilandar Monastery (I kako je i despotica Ōlivera despota na sьmrьti rekla i sь synōma svoima Kraikōmь i Rusinomь da je paki tai crьkvь Hilandaru).
Liberissa Maria Person The hypothesis of J. Radonić that Maria Liberissa was identical with Maria Palaiologina (Μαρία Παλαιολογίνα) was refuted by M. Laskaris. Mentioned in the sources between 1340/1341 and 1349. She is mentioned as a deceased person in the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from the 15th August 1381. She appears as Despotica (1347–1350, before 1381) and βασίλισσα (1349). It is not clear, if her father was Georgios Karabides (Γεώργιος Καραβίδης). She was married to Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver). They had together six sons (Kraikos [Κράϊκος, Krajko], Damianos [Δαμιανός, Damjan], Vidoslavь, Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь) and one daughter (Danica). According to the stone inscription above the Western Entrance of the Katholikon in the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo from 1340/1341, she, her husband Ioannes Liberos (Ioan Oliver) and her son Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) sponsored the reconstruction and the painted decoration of the monastery. She, her husband and her son Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) endowed the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo with lands in the surrounding area (sьzda se světlyi i čьs(t)nъï.hramь.velikago vojevode vьïšnih silь. Arhistratiga Mihaila. Sьzda se i sьvrьši se. Vь dni Stefan(a) kral(a). Sь trudomь. Ï podanijemь raba B(ož)ija Ïōan(a) veikago voevode Ōlivera. I podružija ego rabu B(o)žiju Annu. Maru i vьzljublennago emu s(y)na Kraika. V(ь) lět(o). ƺ.ō.m.ḟ. se že sela i metohïe. Selo konь crkve Lěsnovo. Sь zaselkomъ Lukovu i u Bakově crkvь S(ve)t(o)ga Nikole sь selomь. Ï na rěcě zaselьkь Globica i selo Dobrьevo i u Drěvěnoi. S(ve)tьï Elisei i zaslьk Peštno i S(ve)ty Prokopije. I katunь Vlah(a) na Stroi i u Štipě S(ve)ty Nikola pop Sïfievь. i. k. kukei). Her name appears on a metal polycandilion with an inscribed medallion, which was ordered for the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo by Ioannes Liberos, when he held the position of the Grand Duke (voevoda oliver anna marija). Maria Liberissa together with her husband and her sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) were the patrons of the parecclesion of the Saint John the Baptist in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid. The chapel was erected between the years 1347–1350. Maria Liberissa together with her husband and her son Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) are depicted within the ktitorial composition on the western wall of the chapel. The portrait of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) is situated on the northern wall of the chapel. Maria Liberissa and her family sponsored a new narthex as a addition to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The painted ktitorial composition with Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija), Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) is on the northern wall of the narthex. The fresco inscription above the entrance from the narthex to the naos gives details about the donors and the date 1349, when the narthex was decorated (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων, καὶ ἀνηστορίθη ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ταξιαρχου Μιχ δι’ ἐξόδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου Ιωάννου τοῦ Λύβερί. καὶ τῆς πανευτυχεστάτης βασιλείσης Μαρίας τῆς Λυβερίσης καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῶν, Κραίκου καὶ Δαμιανοῦ. ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλεί Στεφάνου καὶ Ἐλένης, καὶ τοῦ ύιοῦ αὐτῶν κράλη τοῦ Οὐροσι μηνὶ αὐγύστῳ ѕʹ ἔτους ϛωνζ ἰνδ β). According to the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from 15th August 1381 Maria Liberissa expressed short before her death the will that the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo should devolve after her death on the Hilandar Monastery. (I kako je i despotica Ōlivera despota na sьmrьti rekla i sь synōma svoima Kraikōmь i Rusinomь da je paki tai crьkvь Hilandaru).
Liberos Ioannes Person Mentioned in several sources between 1336 and 1354. The inscription placed next to the portrait of Ioannes Liberos on the north wall of the naos in the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo lists all dignities, which were granted to him during his career (azь rabь hristovь iōanь ōliverь po milosti božiei i gospodina mi krala stefana bihь u srьblemь veliky čelnikь potom veliki sulga potomь veliki voevoda potomь veliky sevastokratorь i/a za věrnoe emu porabotanije po milosti božiei i veliki despotь vseja srьbskije zemle i pomorьskije i učestnikь grьkomь). Srdjan Pirivatrić presumes that the titles of grand sebastrokrator, grand despot and učestnik, were bestowed upon Ioannes Liberos by Byzantine imperial authorities before coronation of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in 1346. He held the position of veliki čelnik, before 1341. veliki sluga (megas domestikos), 1332–1341 (ja sluga veli Ōliverь/Iōanь veliki sluga Ōliverь vьse srpskie zemlie i pomorskie). veliki vojvoda (megas dux) 1341/1342 (sь trudomь i podanijemь raba božija ioana velikago voevode olivera; Veliki voevoda Ōlïver povelě pisati, a Stanislavь pisa; ōbьdrьžeštu ōblastiju vseju ōvčepolьskoju velikomu vojevodě Ōliveru, vь horě Zletovcěi; jegože velikyi vojevoda Ōliverь sьzda is temelja; povelěnijemь gospodina velikago vojevode Ōlivera; Bogь da prostitь velikago vojevodu Ōlivera). He was the son-in-law of Georgios Karabides (Γεώργιος Καραβίδης). His brother was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was married to Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija). He had six sons (Kraikos [Κράϊκος, Krajko], Damianos [Δαμιανός, Damjan], Vidoslavь, Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь) and one daughter (Danica). Already in 1334 he got acquainted with Ioannes Kantakuzenos during the meeting between the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos and Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in Rhadobosdion (Radovište). They became friends. Jovan Oliver entrusted before 1341 his subordinate Todorь with the task to settle the deserted settlement site Sveti Dimitrije in Jastrebnica, which was in possession of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius in Kočane. Jovan Oliver issued between 1332 and 1341 a charter, in which were listed the rights and duties of Todorь at Sveti Dimitrije in Jastrebnica (Naidohь selište pusto Svetago Dimitrija u Jastrebnicě i podahь moga člověka Todora, koi mi se prěda izь Grьkь, po ruce da naseli ōmozi selo). Ioannes Liberos, the son-in-law of Georgios Karabides, stated on 28th June 1336 in the presence of Nikola Falletro, the comes of the town of Ragusa, that he received the former treasury of Karabides from Junije Lukarević. Ioannes Liberos swore that he will give the treasury to the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan and request a charter for Junije Lukarević from the king, which will confirm the receipt of treasury and ruled out the possibility of demand by the king, Liberos or the children of Karabides (Oliuer Gherchinich, baro domini Regis Raxie et gener Charauide, constitutes ante presentiam nobilis et potentis viri domini Nicolai Falletro, honorabilis comitis Ragusii, contentus e confessus fuit habuisse et recepisse et apud se habere a Junio de Lucarom de Ragusio unam centuram de argento et unam ladicam de argento, ponderis inter ambas librarum tredecim et unciarum V, et centum nonaginta quinque ducatos de auro, que centura et ladica et ducati acomandati fuerunt per dictum Carauidam, socerum olim dicti Oliueri, eidem Junio, ut idem Junius confessus fuit. Et similiter idem Oliverius confessus fuit tantas fuisse res et ducatos, accomandatas eidem Junio per dictum Charauidam et non plures, cum infrascriptis pactis et condictionibus, uidelicet quod ipse Oliuerius teneatur et debeat predictam centuram et ladicam et ducatos dare in manibus domini Regis Raxie in presentia Petri de Ribica et Marini filii Junii de Uolcasso de Ragusio et fieri facere ab ipso Rege eidem Junio de Lucaro unam apouiliam, sigillatam suo sigillo, continentem, qualiter ipse dominus Rex uel suus successor nec frater, filii seu filia dicti Charauidi seu aliqua alia persona de dicta centura et ladica et ducatis non possint facere uel mouere aliquam litem uel questionem in regno Raxie et Slauonie seu in aliquo loco, in curia uel extra, eidem Junio). Ioannes Liberos owned and received from the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan landed estates in the region of Ovče Pole, Zletovo and Tikveš for his service. According to the stone inscription above the Western Entrance of the Katholikon in the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo from 1340/1341, he, his wife and his son Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) sponsored the reconstruction and the painted decoration of the monastery. He, his wife and his Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) endowed the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo with lands in the surrounding area (sьzda se světlyi i čьs(t)nъï.hramь.velikago vojevode vьïšnih silь. Arhistratiga Mihaila. Sьzda se i sьvrьši se. Vь dni Stefan(a) kral(a). Sь trudomь. Ï podanijemь raba B(ož)ija Ïōan(a) veikago voevode Ōlivera. I podružija ego rabu B(o)žiju Annu. Maru i vьzljublennago emu s(y)na Kraika. V(ь) lět(o). ƺ.ō.m.ḟ. se že sela i metohïe. Selo konь crkve Lěsnovo. Sь zaselkomъ Lukovu i u Bakově crkvь S(ve)t(o)ga Nikole sь selomь. Ï na rěcě zaselьkь Globica i selo Dobrьevo i u Drěvěnoi. S(ve)tьï Elisei i zaslьk Peštno i S(ve)ty Prokopije. I katunь Vlah(a) na Stroi i u Štipě S(ve)ty Nikola pop Sïfievь. i. k. kukei). He supplied the monastery with the Menaion. The scribe Stanislavь, who wrote the menaion, recorded, that Ioannes Liberos donated also frames for the screen icons and church vessels to the monastery with the intention to grant the monastery to the Hilandar Monastery (velikyi vojevoda ōliverь sьzda is temelija i sьvrьšivь i popisa i vsakimi dorotami ukrasivь, sьsudï zlatьïmi i srebrьnьïmi pokova velikyje ikony srebromь i zlatomь, jakože jestь lěpo domь božii ukrašati, podavь sela i metohije i pašišta i livade i planine milostiōvь kralevovь utvrьdivь vse sinore i zapisavь zlatopečatnymь hrisovulomь i prědastь ju u svetu goru stoi bogorodici hilandarьskoi sь vsakymь utvrьždenijemь). As a Grand Duke, Ioannes Liberos, ordered the fabrication of a metal polycandilion with an inscribed medallion for the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo (voevoda oliver anna marija). When the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos had proceeded in 1342 with his army along the right bank of the river Vardar, he discovered the forces of Ioannes Liberos near Belesos (Veles). The Byzantine emperor sent an envoy to Liberos in order to remind him of the friendly contacts they had before. Very short after the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos had crossed the river, Ioannes Liberos hosted him and his troops for three days. The Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos, who placed reliance on Liberos, even proposed a marriage between his son Manuel and Danica, the daughter of Liberos. Ioannes Liberos provided accomodation for the Byzatine emperor and his troops in Skopje. In the meantime Liberos visited the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in the area of Morava. Liberos persuaded the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan to receive the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos favourably. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan then sent Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan), the brother of Ioannes Liberos, to the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos in order to let him know about his soon arrival in Tao (Pauni) near Pristenon (Priština). In July/August 1342 the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan formed an alliance with the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos. Ioannes Liberos brought the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan to convince the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos in regard of the engagment beween Danica and Manuel. Ioannes Liberos then accompanied the Byzantine Emperor with the Serbian auxiliary forces on the campaign to the town Serres. He fell ill before the gates of town of Serres. As sebastokrator Ioannes Liberos donated another medallion with monogramms for the polycandilion in the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The monastic endowment of Ioannes Liberos became a seat of new founded Episcopy of Zletovo between 1346 and 1347, which is documented in the charter of confirmation issued by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan (v’seljubimomu vlastelinu svetago carьsva mi despotu Ōliveru, iže jestь sьzdalь svetyi hramь ōnь ōtь osnovanija, iže vь městě Lěsnově, i ukrasivь v’sěkymi lěpotami crьkьvnymi, i udarovavь sel’mi i sь zaselьci, i sь planinami, i sь pročïimi ōtesy zemlje te). Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and his sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) were the patrons of the parecclesion of the Saint John the Baptist in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid. The chapel was erected between the years 1347–1350. Ioannes Liberos together with his wife and his son Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) are depicted within the ktitorial composition on the western wall of the chapel. The portrait of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) is situated on the northern wall of the chapel. Ioannes Liberos and his family sponsored a new narthex as a addition to the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo. The painted ktitorial composition with Ioannes Liberos, Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija), Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan) is on the northern wall of the narthex. The fresco inscription above the entrance from the narthex to the naos gives details about the donors and the date 1349, when the narthex was decorated (Ἀνηγέρθη ἐκ βάθρων, καὶ ἀνηστορίθη ὁ θεῖος καὶ πάνσεπτος ναὸς τοῦ ταξιαρχου Μιχ δι’ ἐξόδου τοῦ πανευτυχεστάτου δεσπότου Ιωάννου τοῦ Λύβερί. καὶ τῆς πανευτυχεστάτης βασιλείσης Μαρίας τῆς Λυβερίσης καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτῶν, Κραίκου καὶ Δαμιανοῦ. ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλεί Στεφάνου καὶ Ἐλένης, καὶ τοῦ ύιοῦ αὐτῶν κράλη τοῦ Οὐροσι μηνὶ αὐγύστῳ ѕʹ ἔτους ϛωνζ ἰνδ β). Ioannes Liberos appears for the last time in the papal letter from May 1354, in which Innocent VI. sent the identical instructions for the most powerful nobles in the Serbian empire, who contributed to the possibility of an union between the Serbian and Roman churches (Oliverio despoto Serviae).
Ljutovoi Kosta Person Mentioned in the chrysobull charter from 1300 issued by the Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin for the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje. He was probably a member of the family Λιτοβόης. He donated a 85 pogonь field of linen in Zijašta to the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje for the right to have grave in the Church of the Holy Mother of God inVodno. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš II Milutin confirmed the endowment in the chrysobull charter for the Monastery of Saint George-Gorg near Skopje (I niva koju je dalь Kosta Ljutovoi u Zijašti na Prěsčišti lьništa PE. pogonь: dade ju za grobь si crьkvi Matere Božije vodenske: ōt batinske vodovagje, ta nis putь koi ide u Dračevo do rěke Prěsьčke sь lukōmь).
Mpogdanos Person Mentioned in the sources between 1342 and 1371. He was a local ruler (governor) in Macedonia. He controlled the area of the Rhodopemountains according to the later byzantine historian Laonikos Chalkokondyles (Μπόγδανον τὸν τὴν Ῥοδόπην κατέχοντα). His brother was the Despot Jovan Oliver (Ioannes Liberos). He was sent by Stefan Uroš IV Dušan to the Byzantine Emperor Ioannes VI Kantakuzenos in order to greet him and to let him know that the Serbian king will soon arrive (πέμψαντες δὲ πρὸ αὐτῶν Μπογδάνον τὸν Λιβέρου ἀδελφὸν, ἠσπάζοντό τε βασιλέα καὶ ἐδήλουν, ὡς ὀλίγῳ ὕστερον ἀφιξόμενοι πρὸς ἐκεῖνον). The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan entrusted the region between Serres and the river Vardar to him, because he was skilled warrior and a good man according to the later byzantine historian Laonikos Chalkokondyles (τὰ δὲ ἀπὸ Φερρῶν ἔστε ἐπὶ Ἀξιὸν ποταμὸν Μπογδάνῳ ἀνδρὶ ἀγαθῷ καὶ τὰ ἐς πόλεμον οὐκ ἀδοκίμῳ). After the battle at the river Marica he became a vassal of the Ottoman Sultan Murad I. (μετὰ ταῦτα Μπόγδανον τὸν ταύτῃ ἡγεμόνα ὑπαγόμενος, ὥστε οἱ ἕπεσθαι σὺν τῇ αὐτοῦ στρατιᾷ).
Oliverь (3) Person Mentioned in the Lesnovski pomenik, a compilation of commemorations from the 16th to 18th century based on older sources. The terminus post quem for the entry regarding the family of the Despot Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) is 1353. He died on 6th September of an unspecified year. This date of memorial service is recorded by a later hand in the Oliver’s menaion from 1342 (Belgrade, National Library, Old collection Nr. 62, fol. 95v: Prěstavi se Ōliverь [despo?]tь ·ѕ· dьnь sektebra měseca, věčna mu pametь). He was the son of of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Dabiživь, Vidoslavь, Rusinь and Danica. He is attested in the Lesnovo pomenik along with his family as a ktitor (Poměni, gospodi, blagočьstivyihь ktitorь našihь vь carstvi si: Olivera děspota, i podružie Mariju, i čeda ihь: Dьnicu, Kraika, Damiana, Vidoslava, Dabiživa, Rusina, Olivera).
Prosenikos Ioannes Person Probably mentioned in the first charter (1334/1336) of the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan for the Monastery of Treskavec and in the inscription near the donor portrait in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid from 1350/1360. He was according to the inscription honoured with the titles κύρου τοῦ σεβάστου. His donor portrait and inscription are preserved on the pilaster of the west wall of narthex in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ōhrid (Μνήσθητι Κύριε τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ δούλου Ἰωάννου κύρου τοῦ σεβάστου τοῦ Πρωσενικοῦ). He might also donated the abandoned settlement site Lepьče to the Treskavec Monastery. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed his gift in the first charter for the Treskavec Monastery (Selište pusto Lepьče, što priloži Prosenikь, sь ōblastiju i sь vьsěmi pravinami).
Radoslavь (3) Person The identification with Radoslabos Chlapenos (Radoslav Hlapen) is doubtful. Mihailo Dinić identified Radoslav with „Rado(a)sclavus filius de jupan Vratisclavo“, who is attested in the Ragusan archives under the year 1319. Some scholars supposed that he was the same person as „iupan Rodosclauo“, who appears in the charter of Vladislav, the son of the former Serbian King Dragutin, adressed to Ragusan authorities from the 25th October 1323. He is mentioned in the chrysobull charter of the Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan in favour of the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren. Attested also in the ktitorial inscription and the wall painting in the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. The wall paintings in Kučevište can be dated between 1331 and 1334. He held the position of župan. Apparently the son of Marena. He figures in the inscription of the founders of the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište. His portrait has been preserved only in fragments on the northern wall of the narthex in the same church. The Serbian King Stefan Uroš III Dečanski donated the village Klьčevišta (Kučevište) to Župan Radoslavь. Župan Radoslavь bestowed the village of Klьčevišta and its church of the Mother of God together with the hamlet Brodcь, vineyards, fruits, bought estates and all rights to the Monastery of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel near Prizren. The Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan confirmed the gift of Župan Radoslav in the chrysobull charter for the monastery (I ješte priloži carьstvo mi crьkvi carьstva mi Arhaggelu sь hotěnijemь ljubimago vlastelina carьstvu mi Radoslava župana, selo Klьčevišta, sь crьkoviju Svetyje Bogorodice, i sь zaselkomь Brod᾿cemь, s vinogrady, sь ōvoštijemь, i s kupljenicami, i sь vsěmi pravinami, kako piše u hrisovulě Klьčevišt᾿komь što jestь zapisalь roditelь carьstva mi gospodinь kral).
Rusinь (3) Person Mentioned in the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from 15th August 1381. He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Dabiživь, Vidoslavь, Oliverь and Danica. According to the charter of the Serbian Despot Konstantin Dragaš for the Hilandar Monastery from 15th August 1381 Maria Liberissa expressed short before her death the will that the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo should devolve after her death on the Hilandar Monastery. Her sons Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko) and Rusinь confirmed that their mother wanted to donate the Monastery of Saint Archangel Michael and Holy Father Gabriel in Lěsnovo to the Hilandar Monastery (I kako je i despotica Ōlivera despota na sьmrьti rekla i sь synōma svoima Kraikōmь i Rusinomь da je paki tai crьkvь Hilandaru). He is attested in the Lesnovski pomenik along with his family as a ktitor (Poměni, gospodi, blagočьstivyihь ktitorь našihь vь carstvi si: Olivera děspota, i podružie Mariju, i čeda ihь: Dьnicu, Kraika, Damiana, Vidoslava, Dabiživa, Rusina, Olivera).
Staniša (3) Person Mentioned in the founding inscription from the years 1314/1315 in the Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište. He was the son of Jovanь Dragoslavь and Jelena. His sister was Ana. In the inscription from the years 1314/1315, which was located above the western entrance of the now destroyed Church of the Virgin Hodegetria in Mušutište, is Jovanь Dragoslavь bearing the title of grand kaznac described as ktetor. He founded the church together with his wife Jelena, son Staniša and daughter Ana (Poče se: i sьzda se: božьstvьni, i vsečstnii hramь prěčistie vladičice naše bogorodice ōdigitrie: is temelna va dan prěvisokago kralě Uroša sь trudomь i sь pospešeniemь Iōvana velikago kaznca Dragoslava sь Elenomь sь podružjemь svoimь i Stanišomь synomь si i sь Anomь dьšteriju si vь lěto 6823 endikta 20).
Vidoslavь Person Mentioned in the Lesnovski pomenik, a compilation of commemorations from the 16th to 18th century based on older sources. The terminus post quem for the entry regarding the family of the Despot Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) is 1353. He was the son of Ioannes Liberos (᾿Ιωάννης Λίβερος, Jovan Oliver) and Maria Liberissa (Μαρία Λιβέρισσα, Ana Marija,). His uncle was Mpogdanos (Μπογδάνος, Bogdan). He was the brother of Kraikos (Κράϊκος, Krajko), Damianos (Δαμιανός, Damjan), Dabiživь, Rusinь, Oliverь and Danica. He is attested in the Lesnovo pomenik along with his family as a ktitor (Poměni, gospodi, blagočьstivyihь ktitorь našihь vь carstvi si: Olivera děspota, i podružie Mariju, i čeda ihь: Dьnicu, Kraika, Damiana, Vidoslava, Dabiživa, Rusina, Olivera).
Vladislava (1) Person Mentioned in the fragmentary inscription from the Church of Saint Nicholas in the village Kalotina, which was made during the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander. Attested also in the ktitorial composition from the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in Kučevište, which bears an identifying inscription. The wall paintings in Kučevište can be dated between 1331 and 1334. She appears as sevasьtica in the inscription from the Church of Saint Nicholas. She was married to the duke (voivoda) Dejanь. The names of their sons were Iōanь and Dmitarь?. She together with her husband Dejanь erected the Church of Saint Nicholas in the village Kalotina. Their effort is praised in the dedicatory inscription in the naos of the church. She and her husband are portrayed next to the Serbian King Stefan Uroš IV Dušan and her wife Jelena on the southern wall of the narthex in the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin in the village Kučevište. Her identity is confirmed by an inscription bearing her name (voivodica Vladislava). Her noble family apparently changed sides and supported the Serbian king Stefan Uroš IV. Dušan. On the facade above the south door of the church there is supplicant inscription of Vladislava and her sons (Primi gdi moleniie rabe svoie Vladislave i čěda eie Iōvana i Dmitra bg da ihь pomene v carstva svoemь).