Gojslav of Croatia

Gojslav was a monarch who co-ruled the Kingdom of Croatia with his brother Krešimir III from 1000 to his death in 1020. He was the youngest son of the former Croatian King Stjepan Držislav and a member of royal House of Trpimirović.

Revolt and reign

After Croatia's King Stjepan Držislav died in 997, his brother Svetoslav Suronja has become King of Croatia. Together with brother Krešimir III he has revolted against Svetoslav Suronja. Because Croatian king has been ally of Byzantine Empire during war with First Bulgarian Empire revolters has asked Bulgarian help. Answer on that demand has been Bulgarian invasion of 998 during which emperor Samuil has taken Croatian Dalmatia and great parts of Bosnia.^[1] After end of military operations Bulgarian emperor has given this territory to Gojslav and Krešimir III. During last two years (999–1000) of Croatian civil war this two revolters have with Bulgarian help defeated Svetoslav Suronja which has gone to Venetia exile in year 1000. Answering that political change Venetian Doge Pietro II Orseolo has started military intervention in Dalmatia in which he will defeat Croatia.

Gojslav and Krešimir III have spent their reign attempting to restore rule over the Dalmatian cities that were now under Venetian control. This brought upon them a conflict with Croatia former protector, the Republic of Venice, in 1018. Peace was concluded upon the diplomatic intervention of Byzantine Emperor Basil II which has confirmed Gojslav and Krešimir III, as Byzantine vassal, kings of Croatia after defeat of First Bulgarian Empire.

He died in 1020.

See also

• Croato-Bulgarian Wars
• Trpimirović dynasty
• History of Croatia

Footnotes

v t e House of Trpimirović Trpimir I (845–864) Zdeslav (878–879) Muncimir (892–910) Tomislav (910–928) Trpimir II (928–935) Krešimir I (935–945) Miroslav (945–949) Michael Krešimir II (949–969) Stephen Držislav (969–997) Svetoslav Suronja (997–1000) Krešimir III (1000– c. 1030) and Gojslav (1000–c. 1020) Stephen I (c. 1030–1058) Peter Krešimir IV (1058–1074) Demetrius Zvonimir (1075–1089) Stephen II (1089–1091)