Crnojević noble family
The House of Crnojević (Montenegrin and Serbian Cyrillic: Црнојевић, pl. Crnojevići / Црнојевићи) was a medieval Serbian noble family that held Zeta, or parts of it; a region north of Lake Skadar corresponding to southern Montenegro and northern Albania, from 1326 to 1362 CE, then 1403 until 1515.
| Crnojević Црнојевић | |
|---|---|
Coat of Arms based from the first page of Cetinje Octoechos, on which the dynastic coat of arms was printed. | |
| Country | Kingdom of Serbia (1326–45) Serbian Empire (1345–71) Republic of Venice Serbian Despotate (1421–35) Principality of Zeta |
| Founded | before 1326, by Đuraš |
| Final ruler | Đurađ V (1515) |
| Titles | Nobleman (Serbian: Ставилац, Властелин), Courtier (Дворски достојанственик, Челник), Knight (Витез), Baron (Italian: Barone), Duke (Војвода), Lord (Господар), Captain (Kaпetaн), Governor-General (Bey, Бeг) Grand Duke (Veliki Vojvoda/Велики војвода) |
| Estate(s) | (southern Montenegro, northern Albania; north of Lake Skadar)
main regions:
towns:
|
| Dissolution | 1530 |
Its progenitor Đuraš Ilijić was the head of Upper Zeta in the Medieval Kingdom of Serbia and Empire (r. 1326–1362†), under Stefan Dečanski, Dušan the Mighty and Stefan Uroš V. Đuraš was killed in 1362 by the Balšić family, the holders of Lower Zeta (since 1360); Zeta was in the hands of the Balšići under nominal Imperial rule until 1421, when Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević was given the province by Balša III (1403–1421). The family fought its rivals following the murder of Đuraš, and the Crnojevićs controlled Budva from 1392 until 1396, when Radič Crnojević was murdered by the Balšićs. They are mentioned again in 1403, as vassals of the Republic of Venice, taking power in their hereditary lands.