Gradislav Vojšić | |
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Reign |
fl. 1284 (1st time) fl. 1327 (2nd time) |
Predecessor |
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Successor |
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Titles and styles | |
Noble family | Vojšić |
Born | mid-13th century Serbian Kingdom |
Died | after 1327 |
Gradislav Vojšić (Serbian: Градислав Војшић;fl. 1284–1327) was a Serbian nobleman who served the Serbian Kings Stefan Uroš II Milutin (r. 1282–1321) and Stefan Uroš III (r. 1322–1331). He was the first known čelnik of the Serbian court, in the nearest circle of the King, mentioned serving the first time in 1284 and the second time in 1327. The čelnik was entrusted with the security of Church property from the nobility, and appeared in the role of a judge or executor of the King's decisions, in disputes between the Church and the nobility.
He was born in the mid-13th century. Gradislav is mentioned in 1284, as serving King Stefan Milutin as čelnik. The latter account also mentions a gift worth 400 perpers to the King, and 26 perpers to Gradislav. Gradislav is the first known čelnik (челник, roughly "head, chief") that served a Serbian ruler. He was in the nearest circle of the King, and served at the royal court. The title holder in its early form, 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 that time it was of a higher rank than stavilac, but lower than kaznac and tepčija, with vojvoda being the supreme title. In an edict from 1305–06,Branko is mentioned as čelnik under Stefan Milutin, and is still in this position in an edict dated 1319.
In 1320, Stefan Uroš III (Milutin's son) returned from a 6-year exile at the Byzantine court in Constantinople, and received the appanage of Budimlje, while his half-brother and crown heir Stefan Konstantin was titled "King of Zeta". King Milutin became ill and died on October 29, 1321, and Konstantin was crowned King. Stefan Uroš III invaded Zeta after Konstantin refused to submit the throne to him, and killed Konstantin during the ensuing war.