Grand Duke of Bosnia

The title Grand Duke of Bosnia was the title used in medieval Bosnia and held by its highest military commanders.

Unlike usage in Western Europe or Central Europe, as well as in various Slavic lands from Central to North-East Europe, with analogy between Grand Duke and Grand Prince also significant, with both titles corresponding to sovereign lower than King but highest then Duke, in Bosnia title Grand Duke corresponded more to Byzantine military title megas doux.

Like in rest of South Slavic neighboring states, and among their nobility, the title analogous to Grand Prince, called Knez (also in Serbia Knjaz) or Veliki Knez also existed. The Slavic word Knez is actually cognates of King, thus Veliki Knez was more like High King than Grand Duke. In Bosnia and neighboring countries title Duke or Vojvoda had military signification, however in that sense Grand Duke was specifically Bosnian title.

Accordingly, title the Grand Duke of Bosnia was explicitly given by Bosnian ruler, at the time Ban or King/Queen respectively, to his/her highest-ranking military commanders. As such, it was an actually more like an office rather than a court rank, although it was also a grade in the court order of precedence, and was often held by one individual.

List of Grand Dukes of Bosnia

• Vlatko Vuković
• Sandalj Hranić
• Stjepan Vukčić Kosača
• Radivoj Pavlović
• Hrvoje Vukčić

See also

• Kingdom of Bosnia
• Banate of Bosnia
• Medieval Bosnia

References

• Fine, John Van Antwerp (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. Michigan: University of Michigan Press
• Malcolm, Noel, Short History of Bosnia and Herzegovina

External links