HISTORY OF OZRINIĆ TRIBE
According to numerous historical authors, at one point, at the end of the 13th century, five knights came to Čevo,( Tschewo) which at that time belonged to a part of the Serbian state of Zeta, ruled by Queen Helen of Anjou Nemanjić, Hoto, Vaso, Pipo, Kraso and Ozro, from which the Hoti and Krasnići tribes emerged throughout history as Albanian tribes and Vasojević, Piper, and Ozrinić as Serbian. The Ozhrinićs, which at that time was a performance of the name of the "head" of the family and which coincides with Ozhrina, are mentioned in the Dubrovnik Archives in 1335, which is a confirmation of the thesis about the time of their arrival at Čevo (source author Petar Pejović, book: Ozrinići tribe of old Montenegro, Belgrade, 2004). Ban ( Noble title equal to Prince ) Nenoje ,, Nenoy” Ozrinić was mentioned in the archives of the City of Dubrovnik in 1335. Historians mention him as Župan of Čevo (ruler title), saying that for some he is Ozro's son. For others, he is a grandson (source author Branislav G. Nikolić, in book Chronicle of the Nikolic Brotherhood, Poeta, Belgrade, 2013, p.80). That Čevo had the status of a Parish at that time is said in the part "Chronicle" of famous Priest Dukljanin. This information coincides with the thesis that Ozro was a fugitive Serbian nobleman from Herzegovina and that for this reason, he had the protection of Queen Helen of Anjou Nemanjić in conflict with his father-in-law Tolja ( source author Đorđe Vukotić Čevski, book Pleme Ozrinići ili Čevljani). This is also a rational explanation of where Nenoje Ozrinić got the title of Ban. At that time, the Župa ( Parish) was the name for the administrative unit of the feudal state similar to the Principality. Dr. Vasa Čubrilović also speaks about Čevo as a Parish in "Terminology of tribal society in Montenegro" on page 40, published by the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts in 1959. Ozro, whose real name was Ozhrina according to historical sources, settled in Čevo and married the daughter of the nobleman of Prince Tolja (according to historical sources real name Tohslav) named Grubana (Source: Archives of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Legacy of Jovan Erdeljanović, correspondence with Andrija Luburić, E-468-6(14)). According to other sources, her name was Dobrina. Even today on Čevo under the hill Grgulj there is a part called Toljići. With Tolja 's daughter, Ozro had five sons who eventually grew into serious and brave men and increasingly entered into conflicts with Tolja and his sons.
QUEEN HELEN OF ANJOU NEMANJIĆ AND OZRINIĆ TRIBE
After one of the conflicts they had with Ozro and his sons, Prince Tolja invited Queen Helen of Anjou Nemanjic to mediate and judge. Queen Helen Of Anjou Nemanjić was the widow of Serbian King Stefan Uroš I Nemanjić and ruler of Zeta until she died in 1314. One of her castles was located near Čevo, on the border of Markovina and Koman (source author Andrija Luburić, Unpublished Legacy, Manuscript, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, 1923). Queen Helen, widow of King Uroš The First, received from her son King Dragutin Nemanjić to manage Zeta and Trebinje with its surroundings and coast. Then, old Prince Tolja did not receive the Queen with respect, and she soon passed to the estate of Ozro where she was greeted with all honors. According to historical sources, Ozro furnished his home and yard with various luxury items and gifts from Kotor for this occasion. Then Queen Helen of Anjou Nemanjić handed over Čevo for the management to Ozro and his sons and expelled Tolja and his sons. That's how the Ozrinić tribe becomes lords, and nobility under the Nemanjić dynasty (source author Nebojša Drašković, book Masters of Genes in Montenegro, 2022, p.187). Branislav G. Nikolic speaks about this in the book "Chronicle of the Nikolic Brotherhood" published by Poet, Belgrade, 2013 on page 79. The same claim is made by Đorđe Vukotić Čevski in his book "Tribe of Čevljani or Ozrinići". According to one of the authors, Queen Helen of Anjou Nemanjić sided with Ozro because he was a Serbian nobleman who fled Bosnia. As a sign of gratitude, Ozro then built the Church of St. Archangel Michael on Čevo in the place called Bošnjani, so it is assumed that the five knights from the beginning came from Bosnia, of which Herzegovina is an integral part. Saint Michael the Archangel was the patron saint of the Nemanjićs and this saint is still today, 700 years later, the patron saint of the descendants of Ozrinić and the Nikolic family and many others created by the Ozrinić tribe. After this event, many official records can be found about the Ozrinić tribe as nobility.
OZRINIĆ TRIBE IN ERA OF BALŠIĆ DINASTY
There is little information about the relations and position of Ozrinić tribe during the reign of Balšić Zeta from 1360-1421. Few preserved data indicate that the Ozrinić tribe was a kind of opposition to them and that they disagreed. The first nobleman of Ozrinić from Čevo who appears in preserved, official documents during the Balšić dynasty is Kosan Ozrinić who represents Čevo at a gathering of nobility in Cetinje in 1396. This information can be found in the archives of the city of Kotor and was transmitted in the book "Mentions of Montenegrin Tribes in Kotor Monuments XIV-XVI centuries" by Risto Kovijanić from 1963. In the same archives are mentioned Ban (noble title) Nenoye Ozrinić who according to most historians is one of the sons of Ozro as well as his brother Petar Ozrinić as the owner of the vineyard in Tivat 1335.
OZRINIĆTRIBE DURING THE CRNOJEVIĆ DYNASTY
The Ozrinić tribe perceive their flourishing as nobility during the rule of the Crnojević family. At that time, the Ozrinić tribe ruled a large space and were invited to all the festivities that the Crnojevics organized. If you look at the maps of Old Montenegro, you can see that the territory ruled by The Ozrinićs is larger than all the others. The nobleman Knez (Prince) Jovan Ozrinić has been mentioned in folk traditions since the time of Crnojević (source author Nebojša Drašković, book Čevsko Zaljuče i Donji Kraj sela u plemenu Ozrinića, 1999, p.22). The ruler of Montenegro, Ivan Crnojevic, in his charter from 1489, when listing the most important Montenegrin noblemen, also mentioned Vukota Ozrinić. The Charter is kept in the Cetinje Monastery (source Božidar Šekularac, Dukljansko zetske povelje, Titograd, 1987, p.215). Vukota Ozrinić is mentioned as a nobleman in the charter of Crnojević on 26 June and November 1494. on the establishment of borders (source Božidar Šekularac, Dukljansko zetske povelje, Titograd, 1987, p.236). In one preserved document in the archives, Prince Jovan Ozrinić is mentioned. The nobleman Nikola Ozrinić is mentioned as a cocoon in the weddings of Crnojević in 1490. The Republic of Venice also gave the Ozrinićs the gubernatorial title by which the Ozrinić tribe gained the right to have power on its territory together with the Metropolitan.
OZRINIĆ TRIBE DURING THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND THE REPUBLIC OF VENICE
The most famous of all Ozrinić is Prince and Duke Dragoje,, Dragoy” Ozrinić (1573-1659), who lived at the end of the 16th century and In the early 17th century. He was the leader of the Ozrinić family. In this context, his name can be found in several documents kept in the archives of the cities of Kotor and Dubrovnik. In these archives, there are documents confirming that the people of Dubrovnik paid him for the safe passage of their caravans through the territory of Ozrinić. The archives also mention his brothers Zarija and Dragić. The titles he was addressed were the tribal captain, Duke, and Prince of Ozrinić Principality within the Katun Nahiya. The Katun nahiya was one of the provinces on the territory of present-day Montenegro. Interestingly, the Turks offered him the title of Spahiya, but he did not accept it, believing that in this way they wanted to buy him off. The title of Spahiya at that time was the highest title given by the Turks to someone in the territories they considered their own after the war campaigns. The first mention of Prince Dragoje Ozrinić is in the documents of the Cetinje Monastery in the records of donors, which have been kept since 1596. (source Dušan Vuksan, Book of founders and contributors of Cetinje monastery, records I-6, Cetinje, 1926). Petar Pejović wrote about Prince Dragoy as Prince Ozrinić in 1614 in the book Ozrinići, a tribe of old Montenegro, p.84. Duke Dragoje Ozrinić is mentioned in a letter from Turkish Ottoman Skadar Pasha in 1649 (source Branislav G. Nikolić, Chronicle of the Nikolic Brotherhood, Belgrade, 2013, p.80). The son of Dragoje Ozrinic, Prento Dragojev is on the XVII Century list of Dukes and Princes. In October 1649, they received a salary from the Venetian Republic for their contribution to the fight against the Turks. The Ozrinćs are also mentioned in the report of Giovanni Pasquilius dated 30.03.1643 on the diocese of the bishop residing in the monastery in Cetinje. (Source Of the Congregation for the Propaganda of the Faith in Rome on the Serbs 1622-1644) . Prince Ozrinić's "Conte Vigioravan Osgriginch" is mentioned in the document on the meeting of Montenegrin nobles on the occasion of the uprising against the Turks held on 15 March. July 1614 in the house of Prince Voj, father of Prince Marko ( source Luigi M. Ugolini, Pagine Di Storia Veneta, pages 26-36.
Documento II, Maniera, et la volonta de gli SS.ri Illirici per liberarsi dalla tirannide turchesca e seguente. Nome delli deputati et delli assistenti della Simblea fatta li 15 di luglio 1614).
Prince Dragoje Ozrinić and his wife Manda (Mandalina) had 7 sons from whose descendants several tribes and now-known families from Čevo were formed. All the sons fought on the side of the Venetian Republic against Turkey in the Candian War of 1645-1669. Prince Dragoje and Manda also built the church of St.Ilija in Vojinići on Čevo. From Prince Dragoje Ozrinić, his son Ivan, and the families Nikolic and Djukanovic descend ( source Vlado Đ. Duletić. Tracing duletić's past, Nu Budva cultural identity, Budva, 2015, p.15). This is confirmed by the historian Nebojša Draskovic in his books (Lords of Genes in Montenegro on page 204) who adds that the heirs of Prince Dragoj were dukes, landowners, sirdars, and governors.
Princ Pero Ozrinic ( conte Piero da Osdrinicichi), grandson of Prince Dragoje and son of famous priest Prento, is mentioned in a document dated 09. December 1660 one of Montenegro's Princes signed a document with the Republic of Venice in Kotor( source author Risto Kovijanic, Dokaz o autonomiji Crne Gore XVII vijeka, Istorijski zapisi, Istorijski institut Univerziteta Crne Gore, 1953, page 505).
Prince (Knez) Janko son of Vujo, grandson of Prince Dragoje Ozrinić is mentioned in the explanation of the song from 1710 in the book written by famous historian Andrija Luburić,, Orlovići” on page 22.
Guvernadur (a noble title given by the Republic of Venice) Vukota Ozrinic is mentioned in the Montenegro bishop's letter to the Russian ambassador as in a book published by Serbian Royal Academy, title,, Pitanje Careva Laza” written by Jovan Tomic 1933, page 27.
Nikolić's brotherhood is a direct line from the Ozrinić tribe and Prince Dragoje Ozrinić. Son of Prince Dragoje Ozrinić, Ivan Ozrinić had a son Nikola who, according to Petar Pejovic's interpretation in the book Ozrinići tribe of old Montenegro, page 169, is Prince which is mentioned in 1693 and October 1695 and after that no, which coincides with the historical data that Nikola was killed in 1696. Nikola had sons Prince Kojica and Prince Tomaš Nikolic (1691-1751) who is mentioned in 1721 as one of the leaders at the meeting of the nobility in Prcanj, as well as in 20 other preserved documents, among other things, 1717 he led Montenegrins in the Battle of Čevo as well as in several folk songs. Njegoš sang him for the murder of a well-known member of the Ljubovic family from Nevesinje. His direct descendant is the famous Duke Peko Pavlović Nikolić. Nikola^s sons Tomaš and Kojica took,, Nikolić” as their surname in respect of their early dead father. That was the start of the Nikolić line of the Ozrinić tribe. Prince Tomaš Nikolic is also mentioned in the contract of the representatives of the Katun Nahiya tribe and provability from July 1730 in Ozrinici (source G. Stanojević, Montenegro in the time of Bishop Danilo, pp.175-177). Tomas Nikolic the leader of Ozrinić appears on the list of persons who received gifts in 23. September 1745 by the proveditore as Tomas Nikolich capo da Osrinichi ( source G. Stanojević One attempt to normalize Venetian-Montenegrin relations in the middle of the 18th century, I records, 1967, pp. 173-174). On the list is also his cousin Vukadin as Duke and governor. Both of them are grand grandsons of Prince and Duke Dragoje Ozrinić.
Prince Kojica Nikolić, and Prince Asan Nikolić, grandson of Tomaš Nikolić, were Princes of the Nikolić family in Čevo (source Petar Pejović, Ozrinići tribe of old Montenegro, p.89).
The Nikolićs belong to Ivan’s line from the Ozrinić tribe. Saint Michael Archangel is their patron saint's day (source Petar Aškaba Zagorski, book Stara Srpska prezimena, Kneževni fond Sveti Sava, Pale, 2008, p.609).
Nebojša Drašković in his book Čevsko Zaljuće I Donji Kraj u plemenu Ozrinić, claims that the Nikolićs originate from Prince Dragoje Ozrinić, published by The Chronicle of Villages, The Cultural Educational Community of the Republic of Serbia, 1999, p.124, p. 502).
Miroljub M. Šturanović on page 38, in book Ozrinići near Niksic, book 1, contributions to the monograph, also claims that the Nikolićs originate from Ozrinić. Djordje Vukotic Čevski, in his book Pleme Čevljani ili Ozrinići, on page 70, also states that the Nikolić tribe originated from Nikola Ivanov Ozrinić.
Duletić makes the same claim in the 2015 book Tracing Duletić's Past published by the PU Budvanski identitet on pages 15-16.
Prince Mušo Nikolić and his son Prince Vasko Mušov Nikolić are well-known in Montenegro's history as Princes from the Ozrinić tribe(source author Marko Vujačić, Znameniti Crnogorski I Hercegovački junaci,p.284, Prosveta,1954).
Prince (Knez) Vuk Nikolić was blessed by Saint Vasilije Ostorški (Vasil of Ostrog) in 1660. Source Andrija Luburić ,, Orloviči”, 1934 year, page 6.
From the thirties of the 18th century, the Princely title of Ozrinić was constantly held by Nikolić and Đukanović brotherhood (source: Petar Pejović, Ozrinići tribe of old Montenegro, Belgrade 2004, p.173).
Ilija Životić is a grand grand grand grandson of Prince Kojica Nikolić ( 9. step), who was a grandson of Prince and Duke Dragoje Ozrinić. Prince Kojica Nikolić is on the list of nobles who stood up against Ottomans in 1711 at the request of the Russian Tzar. By the final court decision legal descendant of Prince and Duke Dragoje Ozrinić is Ilija Životić ( final court decision in section Documents).