Čelnik
čelnik (Serbian Cyrillic: челник) was a court title of the Kingdom of Serbia, Serbian Empire and Serbian Despotate. In its early form, the holder was entrusted with the security of property belonging to the Church from the aristocrats, so the holder appeared in the role of a judge or executor of the ruler's decisions, in disputes between the church and the nobility. At the beginning of the 15th century, during the Serbian Despotate, the title of veliki čelnik was the equivalent of count palatine and was the highest court title, with the title-holders holding great provinces, property, and honours.
History
During the reign of King Stefan Milutin (r. 1282–1321), the title holder was entrusted with the security of property belonging to the Church from the aristocrats, so the holder appeared in the role of a judge or executor of the ruler's decisions, in disputes between the church and the nobility.[1] At that time the title of čelnik was of a higher rank than stavilac, but lower than kaznac and tepčija, with vojvoda being the supreme title.[2] It is unclear if there was one or several with that title at the court at that time.[2]
During King Stefan Dečanski's reign there was two or three title holders at the same time.[3] During Stefan Dušan's reign, the title of veliki čelnik (велики челник, or "Grand Čelnik") is first mentioned. After Jovan Oliver and Dimitrije, it seems that the title was not given at the court of Stefan Dušan.[4] During the service of Branilo (fl. 1347) and Đurica (fl. 1350), there is also a mention of Andronik, a čelnik in Polog, though he likely was not of the same category as the former two.[5]
At the beginning of the 15th century, during the Serbian Despotate, the title of veliki čelnik was the equivalent of count palatine and was the highest court title, with the title-holders holding great provinces, property, and honours. Of these, Radič (fl. 1413–41) was the most notable.
List
- Gradislav Vojšić, čelnik, served Stefan Milutin (fl. 1284)[6]
- Branko, čelnik, served Stefan Milutin (fl. 1305–06)[6]
- Đuraš Ilijić, čelnik, served Stefan Dečanski (fl. 1326)[2]
- Gradislav Vojšić, čelnik, served Stefan Dečanski (fl. 1327)[2]
- Vlgdrag, čelnik, who took monastic vows as Nikola and died in 1327.[2]
- Jovan Oliver, veliki čelnik, served Stefan Dušan (before 1340)[3]
- Dimitrije, veliki čelnik, served Stefan Dušan (before 1349)[3] then Uroš V (fl. 1359)
- Branilo, čelnik, served Stefan Dušan (fl. 1347)[3]
- Đurica, čelnik, served Stefan Dušan (fl. 1350)[3]
- Andronik, čelnik, served Stefan Dušan (fl. 1350)[5]
- Stanislav, čelnik, served the Dejanović (fl. 1377)
- Musa, čelnik, served Uroš V
- Vuk, čelnik, served Stefan Lazarević (fl. 1402)[7]
- Hrebeljan, veliki čelnik, served Stefan Lazarević (fl. 1405)[8]
- Radič, čelnik, served Stefan Lazarević.
- Radoslav, veliki čelnik
- Radič, veliki čelnik, served Đurađ Branković (fl. 1429)
- Mihailo Anđelović (fl. 1458), veliki čelnik, served Đurađ and Lazar Branković.
- Đurađ Golemović (fl. 1453), čelnik, served Đurađ Branković.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Сима Ћирковић; Раде Михальчић (1999). Лексикон српског средњег века. Knowledge. p. 813.
На двору краља Милутина 1284. године налазио се челник Градислав, а касније ( 1 305/06) челник Бранко. Овој категорији челника биће поверена заштита црквених земљопоседа од самовоље властеле, па се они појављују у улози судија или извршитеља владаревих одлука, када су у питању спорови између цркава и властеле.
- ^ a b c d e Blagojević 2001, p. 211.
- ^ a b c d e Blagojević 2001, p. 212.
- ^ Blagojević 2001, p. 237.
- ^ a b Blagojević 2001, p. 215.
- ^ a b Blagojević 2001, p. 210.
- ^ Blagojević 2001, p. 231.
- ^ Srejović, Gavrilović & Ćirković 1982, p. 120.
- ^ Blagojević 2001, p. 243.
Sources
- Blagojević, Miloš (2001). Državna uprava u srpskim srednjovekovnim zemljama (in Serbian). Službeni list SRJ.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Ćirković, Sima; Mihaljčić, Rade (1999). Лексикон српског средњег века. Knowledge.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) Template:Sr icon - Mandić, Svetislav (1986). Velika gospoda sve srpske zemlje i drugi prosopografski prilozi. Srpska književna zadruga.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) Template:Sr icon - Srejović, Dragoslav; Gavrilović, Slavko; Ćirković, Sima M. (1982). Istorija srpskog naroda: knj. Od najstarijih vremena do Maričke bitke (1371) (in Serbian). Srpska književna zadruga.
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