Duchy of Saint Sava

Duchy of Saint Sava (Serbo-Croatian: Vojvodstvo Svetog Save, Војводство Светог Саве) was a late medieval polity in southeastern Europe, that existed from 1448 up to 1482, when it was absorbed by the Ottoman Empire. It was ruled by the Kosača noble family, who held the title "Duke of Saint Sava" (Serbo-Croatian: Herceg od Svetog Save, Херцег од Светог Саве). Their domains included southern parts of modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, extending to southern parts of modern-day coastal Croatia, northwestern Montenegro and southwestern Serbia. Its founder, Stjepan Vukčić Kosača (duke since 1448), titled himself Herceg of Saint Sava, a title which would later give rise to the new name to the region: Herzegovina, and will be also used by the Ottomans as Hersek Sancağı (Sanjak of the Herzeg), designating the Sanjak of Herzegovina.

In various sources, and historiographical traditions, the name of the duchy is recorded or used in several forms, varying mostly in the way the name of Saint Sava is spelled in different languages: Latin: Ducatus Sancti Sabbae, Italian: Ducato di San Sabba, German: Herzogtum des hl. Sava. In English historiography, forms such as the "Duchy of Saint Sava" or "Duchy of St. Sava" were used since the 19th century.