Uncover ROLE OF PRINCES IN OLD MONTENEGRO
In the past, Montenegro consisted of several provinces, i.e. "Nahija" in the Turkish language, of which the Katun nahija had the largest population of about 65,000, which was approximately half of the population of Montenegro, and the largest part of the Katun nahija was occupied by the Ozrinići tribe, whose seat was the place of Čevo/ Tschewo.
In the process of creating a tribe, the "Principality" or nahija developed as a territory inhabited by several tribes. Thus, the Prince also had a significant role and he was the head of the Principality as part of a nahija or the head of an area within a nahija that included a large number of settlements (source Vidak Vujačić, The character of the fraternal-tribal structure and organization, Subject and method of studying the patriarchal community in Yugoslavia , p.167).
The fact that every letter of Peter I, the ruler of Montenegro, begins with an address to the Serdars, Dukes or Princes speaks of the importance of the Princes. In the origin of the tribe, the role of the Prince, and in some cases also the Duke, played an important role. All Turkish sources from the 15th and 16th centuries distinguish the duties of the Prince from others. The prince is the head of the principality and his authority is higher than the others. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the duty of Prince and Duke was hereditary(source Branislav Đurđev, "The Origin and Development of the Hill, Montenegrin and Herzegovina Tribes", Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, Titograd, 1984).
Old Montenegro was an integral part of Skadar Sanjak, divided into nahiyas, and these were divided into smaller districts called knežina (Principality ). The nahiyas were ruled by nahiya princes and knezinas were ruled by common-rank princes. The title Knez continued to enjoy a high rank in the aristocratic hierarchy and tribal branches (source Milan Jovićević, Montenegrian State and Dynastic Emblems, National Museum Montenegro, Cetinje, 2001)
Just as title Vojvoda (Duke) was a hereditary honor, so was honor of baryaktar and knez (prince) (source J. Milović,, The Russian Court advisor Aleksandar von Reutz on a visit to Montenegro from 26 to 30 May, str.77-78).
Each nahija has a serdar, and each tribe has a duke, a prince and a standard-bearer (source: Vuk Karadžić, "Montenegro I Boka Kotorska", Belgrade, 1922, p.41).
In the 15th century, the title of Prince was used by tribal elders, i.e. elders of the tribe, nahija or parish. The titles of princes were also recognized by the Ottoman government. The title of Prince existed during the Ottoman rule as well as later. Metropolitan Vasilije states in the History of Montenegro that Montenegro is divided into nahijas, and that nahijas are divided into Principalities governed by Princes. (source Historical Lexicon of Montenegro, K-Per, Daily Press, 2006, p. 764).
Every tribe has had its own prince or duke since ancient times; and some had both (source ,, From the records of the famous historian and Archimandrite Nićifor Dučić 1832-1900).
Princely power in Montenegrin (Zeta) katuns remained in the same families for a long time, which is also confirmed by Turkish records (source Archival records 1- 2015, State Archives of Montenegro, Cetinje, 2016, p.16).
In medieval charters we find that some katuns were registered as princes with elders as princes, "comes catuni". This prince at the head of the principality was the prince over all the katuns in the principality. (source K. Jireček, Istorija Srba, II, 97.)
Metropolitan Vasilije states that Montenegro is divided into Nahijas and those into regions governed by Princes. The function of the Prince was to resolve disputes or mediate to resolve them, to lead affairs of common interest and to communicate with representatives of other brotherhoods or tribes. The title of Prince was also recognized by the Ottoman-Turkish authorities. The princes collected taxes for the Turks, but they themselves were exempt from paying taxes. They were mediators between the Montenegrins and the Ottoman authorities (source Historical Lexicon of Montenegro, K-per, Vijesti, 2006, p.765). The importance of the Princes is best illustrated by the fact that the Princes at the their meeting called Zbor, confirmed the election of the Montenegrin Bishop, so in 1694 the Princes and the Montenegrin congregation reported to the Kotor providor that they had chosen Bishop Savati to replace the late Bishop Visarion of Cetinje. "We place and confirm with our own will and by order of His Holiness Archbishop Arsenij Crnojević (Čarnoević), Patriarch of Serbia". (source "Antiquities", Book X, JAZU, Zagreb, 1878)
The Ducal title was hereditary and lifelong and could be transferred to another sibling (source P. Rovinski, Montenegro II, p. 128).
Tribal leaders were serdars, voivodes, princes. Headships are hereditary, but they can be taken away if their bearer lacks the qualities of wisdom, honesty and humanity. The Council of all the heads of Montenegro consisted of Montenegrin princes and lords who had the prerogatives of military, administrative and judicial powers in the Montenegrin provinces (source Čedomir Bogićević, Guardians of the Choj laws in Montenegrin national customary law, Matica Crnogorska, no. 85, 2021, p. 148)
Prince Tomaš Nikolić received the title from his cousin Prince Mojaš Đukanović (source Nebojša Drašković, Čevsko zaljuće and the lower end of the village in the Ozrinića tribe, p.503).
Prince Vukašin is believed to be the third son of Duke Dragoj Ozrinić. He was married to Radusinović from Čevo. He inherited the title from his father-in-law Prince Radusin (source Professor Krsto Vukotić, page 91).
In earlier times, the recognized leader of the brotherhood or tribe was called Vojvoda, Knez(Prince), or standard-bearer. Respectable chiefs had the right to transfer their title to another. (source Vešović,,Pleme Vasojevići" State printing house Sarajevo, 1935, pp.324-325)
Since the thirties of the 18th century, the princely title of Ozrinić was always held by Nikolić and Đukanović (source Petar Pejović, Ozrinići pleme stare Montenegro, Belgrade 2004, p.173).
Principalities under Turkish rule were a kind of administrative-territorial units, consisting of ten or twenty settlements and villages. At the head of the Princes was the Prince who was appointed with the imperial beret. His position had a dynastic character. Even then, if the Turks executed him,due to infidelity or betrayal of the Porte or the Sultan, his son or brother, if he had no son, took his place (source: Milorad Nikolić. Monografija, Zavičajne sveske I, 1997, p. 84).
If the deceased prince has a son or brother, let him be registered in his place, and princes from outside the people should not be registered - Law on Princes of Smederevo Sandžak, 1536, Article VI. (source Historical Institute, 1974)
The principality was named after the prince as a self-governing body that was at its head. Several principalities made up the nahiya. The principality consisted of a tribe that often consisted of several brotherhoods. Knežina as a name does not include only one settlement, but a larger or smaller group of settlements under one head, the Kneza. The term Knežina, Prince as the head of such a self-governing unit, will be mentioned from the 16th - 18th centuries by the Montenegrin tribes. In the 18th century, Princes in Montenegro retain the competence of fraternal and tribal heads and cease to be mediators between the Turkish rulers and the people (source, "Terminology of tribal society in Montenegro" Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Special Editions, book CCCXXI, Vasa Čubrilović, Belgrade, 1959)
Except for Vladika, everyone the nahija has its own serdar, and each tribe has a voivode, prince and bannerman, and all these titles are hereditary in some families. Apart from these, there are important people in every tribe, who enjoy some reputation and are called chiefs" (source Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, R. Guzina, Municipality in Principality and Kingdom of Serbia, Part I, Belgrade 1966, pp. 47-51)
Montenegro in the 18th century was divided into five nahijas, and nahijas into principalities. At the head of the nahija was the muteselim, and at the head of the Principalities was the Prince. Muteselim and the princes represented the Turkish government. The princes were Montenegrins, not Turks. (source, Hamdija Šarkinović, "Organization of the Turkish Government in Montenegro", Matica Crnogorska)
During the Moravian War in 1684, the Venetian providor Zeno informed the Senate about the work to win over the Montenegrin tribes, so says that in Montenegro they have 22 principalities, listing them individually by nahia, which coincides with the number of tribes. (source Academician Dr. Božidar Šekularac ,The influence of the Vlachs on the formation of Montenegrin tribes, 2015)
Montenegrin tribes and katuns had their own autonomous rights that were respected by their master and respected by the ruler himself, which is also reflected in the Vranjin Treaty from 1455. Some katuns were registered as principalities with to elders, princes, "comes catuni". The prince at the head of the principality was the prince over all katuns in the principality. Princely power remained in the same families for a long time (source Božidar Šekularac, source Social and legal relations in Montenegro during the Crnojevic era, State Archives of Montenegro, Archive Records, number 2, 2016, pp. 19-20).
And that army was arranged in order from tribe to tribe, with tribal leaders in front of them: voivodes, princes and serdars and young banner bearers (source: Petar I Petrović Njegoš, Poem how the Montenegrins defeated the Turks in 1712; quoted from: J. Milović , Petar I Petrović Njegoš, letters and documents, material 1821-1830,book 2, Titograd 1988, 337)
During the domination of the Republic of Venice, the Ozrinići had the title of Governor until they left it to the Njeguši tribe. 1717 Duke Vukota Ozrinić was governor (source G.Stanojević, Montenegro at the time of Bishop Danilo, Cetinje 1955). In 1727 his son Vukadin Vukotić . At 1730 Ozrinić ceded the title to Njeguš. Bishop Vasilije Petrović wrote in his famous letter to the Russian Vice Chancellor Vorontsov in 1758, "In 1711, the Governor of Montenegro was Vukota Ozrinić." Vukota Ozrinić was the Governor in 1711. source Risto Dragicevic, Montenegrin governorates, Cetinje and Montenegro, 1927, p. 96-117.
The governor's authority" - says Viala de Sommier - "consisted in the general management of the country's political and military life". Sommier goes on to say: "You shouldn't even think that this ruler lives in a luxurious palace, that he has a guard and a splendid court." None of this is necessary for the people to respect him; he rules with his fairness and demeanor that everyone appreciates. There is no difference between this simple rule and the rule of great emperors. (source author Radovan Radonjić, Montenegrin pre-modern rule, Matica Crnogorska, No.69, 2017).