Original scientific paper
Palaeographic Analysis of Cyrillic Diplomatic Minuscule in the Three Documents Related to the Purchase of Sokol Fortress in Konavle
Kristian Paskojević
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
This article analyses three documents drafted between 1419 and 1421, that is, shortly before the commencement of the building of a stone fortification of Sokol Fortress in Konavle. All the three documents concern Ragusan purchase of the parts of Sokol Fortress: from Duke Sandalj Hranić of Bosnia (Sokol, 1420, scribe dijak Grubač), from Stjepan Ostojić, King of Bosnia (Kraljeva Sutjeska, 1419, scribe logothete Novak Gojčinović), and an agreement between the Ragusans and Duke Sandalj on the purchase of the parts of Sokol Fortress and Župa Konavoska (County of Konavle) in possession of Count Radoslav Pavlović at the time (Dubrovnik, 1421, scribe ‘Slav’ chancellor Rusko Kristoforović). This palaeographic study examines the similarities and differences in graphic style as well as the specifics established in these documents. The choice of two documents of the Bosnian rulers and one of Dubrovnik is not random. Given the time frame and the event, and having compared two documents written in minuscule (Sokol, Dubrovnik), the analysis of the development processes called for a parallel with a charter written in uncial script which, for the sake of enquiry, would serve as a control sample of the graphic changes in the miniscule of the Ragusan and Bosnian chancery. Since none of the known Ragusan notaries of the early fifteenth century used the uncial script, the charter of King Stjepan Ostojić, itself a document related to the ownership of Sokol Fortress and Župa Konavoska, seemed a logical choice. Palaeographic analysis has included the following elements: coordination in the linear system and specifics of the script, binding of letters in writing, punctuation and capitalisation, ligatures and abbreviations. The study of the three documents written over a short interval may confirm an established practice of certain graphic characteristics, and be used as a departure point for further research into the scribal practice of Dubrovnik and beyond.
Keywords
Republic of Dubrovnik; Sokol Fortress; Cyrillic palaeography; diplomatic minuscule
Hrčak ID:
137818
URI
Publication date:
13.4.2015.
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