Crnojević family
| Crnojević Црнојевићи |
|
|---|---|
| Country |
 Kingdom of Serbia (1326–45) Serbian Empire (1345–71) Republic of Venice Serbian Despotate (1421–35)Principality of Zeta |
| Estates |
(southern Montenegro, northern Albania; north of Lake Skadar) main regions:
towns: |
| Titles |
Nobleman (Serbian: Ставилац, Властелин), Courtier (Дворски достојанственик, Челник), Knight (Витез), Baron (Italian: Baronez), Duke (Војвода), Lord (Господар), Captain (Kaпetaн), Governor-General (Bey, Бeг) |
| Founded | before 1326, by Đuraš |
| Final ruler | Đurađ V (1515) |
| Dissolution | 1530 |
(southern Montenegro, northern Albania; north of Lake Skadar)
main regions:
towns:
The Crnojević (Serbian: pl. Црнојевићи, Crnojevići) was a medieval noble family that held Zeta, or parts of it; a region north of Lake Skadar corresponding to southern Montenegro and northern Albania, from 1326 to 1362, then 1403 until 1515. Its progenitor Đuraš Ilijić, was the head of Upper Zeta in the Serbian Kingdom and Empire (r. 1326-1362†), under Stephen Uroš III Dečanski, Dušan the Mighty and Uroš the Weak. Đuraš was killed in 1362 by the Balšić family, the holders of Lower Zeta (since 1360); Zeta was in the hands of the Balšići under nominal Imperial rule until 1421, when Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević was given the province by Balša III (1403–1421). The family fought its rivals following the murder of Đuraš, and the Crnojevićs controlled Budva from 1392 until 1396, when Radič Crnojević was murdered by the Balšićs. They are mentioned again in 1403, as vassals of the Republic of Venice, taking power in their hereditary lands.
The oldest known ancestor is Head Ilija. The family has been referred to as Đurašević, from Đuraš Ilijić, the son of Ilija, who was Head of Upper Zeta from 1326 until his death in 1362, when he was killed by the Balšić family. Although Đuraš Ilijić was an important figure in the Serbian Kingdom, it was his grandson Đuraš Ilijić who became advisor of the Serbian King Stefan of Dečani in 1326. Five years later, Đuraš supported Prince Dušan Nemanjić in overthrowing the King.
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Wikipedia