Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47960/3029-3103.2026.12.11
From the Croatian Duchy to the Croatian Kingdom: What Did Rex and Regnum Mean in Tenth-Century Europe?
Ivan Buljević
orcid.org/0009-0008-2327-1491
; Faculty of Croatian Studies
Abstract
The medieval Croatian state took its first steps in the 9th century under the influence of the powerful Carolingian Empire. As the authority of Western emperors declined, Croatian dukes gained more room for independent action, a process that likely reached its peak under Duke Branimir in the late 9th century. However, with the appearance of Tomislav in historical records – especially with the royal title (rex) and later mentions of regnum
Chroatiae et Dalmatie – Croatia’s international standing grew, along with its independence and political strength. These points have been reaffirmed in Croatian historiography countless times, from its earliest works to the present day.
But the key question remains: what exactly did the shift from dux to rex mean? If historiography already recognizes a degree of Croatian autonomy under Trpimir and even greater independence under Branimir, what changed with the rise of Tomislav and the later Croatian kings? We will explore the meaning of the royal title and the role of kings in tenth-century Europe, while also considering how these ideas apply to the specific Croatian case. Since the scarcity of domestic historical sources from this period makes it difficult to fully grasp the local context, a broader European comparison is necessary. This approach will help clarify the significance of the Croatian Kingdom’s emergence on the international stage, where the medieval Croatian state was not just an equal player but
an integral part of the wider political landscape.
Keywords
Croatian Duchy; Croatian Kingdom; rex; dux; tenth century.
Hrčak ID:
350951
URI
Publication date:
1.7.2026.
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