Radič Crnojević

Infobox Person
name = Radič Crnojević


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death_date = 25 April/25 May? 1396
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death_cause = Killed in battle
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title = Lord
predecessor = Crnoje Đurašević
successor = Đurađ Crnojević
Aleksa (Lješ) Crnojević
religion = Serbian Orthodox
spouse = Jelena
children = Đurađ
Aleksa (Lješ)
parents = Crnoje Đurašević

Radič Crnojević (? - 25 April [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/MONTENEGRO.htm Medieval Lands: Montenegro] en icon] /25 MayIstorijski leksikon Crne Gore, 2.dio: "Crnojevići"] , 1396) was a Montenegrin Serb lord of the Đurašević-Crnojević clan who maintained a domain in Upper Zeta. [http://www.gradovi.cg.yu/eng/History.htm Outline of important historical events during the old era and the Middle Ages on the territory of Montenegro] en icon] Radič later expanded his domain to parts of Lower Zeta, including Grbalj, Paštrovići and Budva. Radič was a son of Crnoje Đurašević.

Radič had rebelled the rule of the Balšićs in Zeta. Radič frequently jeopardized the City of Kotor, maintaining bad relations with them. Radič also had maintained close relations with the Republic of Ragusa and was granted Venetian citizenry on 30 November 1392

The Zetan lord, Đurađ II, had problems that arised due to Zetan battles involving the Turks which Radič used to become independent of the Zetan lord. In late 1392, Đurađ II kidnapped the sanjak-bey of Skopje. Radič, with the help of his brothers Stefan and Dobrivoje, used this event to take control of Budva, as well as Saint Michael's Metohija , in 1392 from the Balšićs, thus becoming the Master of Budva. Radič ruled Budva till his death in 1396.

Radič also led an expedition in Lješ, seizing it from the Dukagjinis, expelling them in the process. However, Radič's reign was very temporary as the Dukagjinis retook Lješ in early 1393.

Death

In late April 1396, Radič and his brother Dobrivoje had made a significant move against Lord Đurađ II (Balšić) of Zeta. They took the region of Grbalj and laid siege to Kotor. Unable to take the town, the council of Kotor agreed to pay him tribute. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&pg=PA533&lpg=PA533&dq=svetomiholjska+metohija&source=web&ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA420,M1 The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 420] ]

Đurađ became disliked by the Orthodox Serb commonfolk by these events. The excessively Orthodox religious Crnojevićs' takeover was looked upon nicely by the people, resulting in Paštrović's cross to Radič's side.

On 25 April or 25 May 1396, the duo moved to battle Đurađ himself. This was a grave mistake as Đurađ's forces completely defeated the Crnojevićs and killed Radič, managing to get a hold over a part of the Crnojević domain.

Duke Sandalj Hranić of the Herzegovinian Kosačas took the opportunity to conquer Budva after Radič's death, as well as marrying his widow, Jelena. [ [http://www.njegos.org/markus/26.jpgJovan Markuš: Genealogy of the Crnojević family] sr icon]

Family

Radič was married to a woman named Jelena, who later gave birth to the following children:

*Đurađ, a voivode for Lord Balša III of Zeta
*Aleksa (Lješ), a voivode for Despot Stefan Lazarević of Serbia

References