Professional paper
The medieval nobility of the district of Zmina
Krešimir Kužić
Abstract
The author gives survey of noblemen of the district of Zmina and their life in the Middle Ages, using in his work literature, published and to a lesser degree unpublished sources. Essentially, the life of the local nobility was not different than one in the other parts of Croatia of that period. Former kinship based system gave place to the aristocratic, feudal system imposed by the Angevins, and that situation lasted until the fall of Bosnia under theOttoman rule. The economic success was particularly intensive after the Venetians were driven away from the coastal towns, thanks to commercial relations. Fortresses and churches were erected and also the other material evidences of progress came up - most of all standing tomb-stones. The first Vlachs in Zmina area arrived in the begining of 14th century, and although the law had treated them separately from autochthons, they soon came into possessions and status accordingly - and were absorbed by Croatian community. After extinction of the Angevins and even more after the death of the last Nelipić, in 1434, a turbulent period had began. However, it was not before Bosnia's fall that the destiny of Zmina and its nobility was sealed up by the Ottomans in the second half of the fifteenth century.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
15833
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2000.
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