Jovan Branković ( sr-Cyrl, Јован Бранковић; ; c. 1465 – 10 December 1502) was the titular
Despot of Serbia from 1493 until his death in 1502. The title of
despot was given to him by Hungarian king
Vladislas II of Hungary
Vladislaus II, also known as Vladislav, Władysław or Wladislas ( hu, II. Ulászló; 1 March 1456 – 13 March 1516), was King of Bohemia from 1471 to 1516, and King of Hungary and Croatia from 1490 to 1516. As the eldest son of Casimir IV Jagi ...
. From 1493 to 1497 he held the title together with his elder brother
Đorđe Branković
Đorđe Branković ( sr-Cyrl, Ђорђе Бранковић; anglicized as ''George''; also known as Saint Maksim; b. 1461 – d. 1516) was the last male member of the Branković dynasty, and titular Despot of Serbia from 1486 to 1497. The titl ...
, who was despot from 1486. In 1497, Đorđe relinquished the title, and Jovan remained the sole Despot of Serbia, until his death in 1502. Jovan was the last Serbian Despot of the
Branković dynasty
The House of Branković ( sr-Cyrl, Бранковић, Brankovići / Бранковићи, ) is a Serbian medieval noble family and dynasty. According to genealogies created in the first half of the 15th century, the family descends via female l ...
. With his brother he built the
Krušedol monastery
The Krušedol Monastery ( sr-cyr, Манастир Крушедол, Manastir Krušedol, ) is a Serbian Orthodox monastery on the Fruška Gora mountain in the Syrmia region, northern Serbia, in the province of Vojvodina. The monastery is the lega ...
, and made various donations to
Hilandar
The Hilandar Monastery ( sr-cyr, Манастир Хиландар, Manastir Hilandar, , el, Μονή Χιλανδαρίου) is one of the twenty Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Mount Athos in Greece and the only Serbian monastery there. It wa ...
and other
Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Orthodoxy, also known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism.
Like the Pentarchy of the first millennium, the mainstream (or "canonical") ...
monasteries. He was proclaimed a saint by the
Serbian Orthodox Church
The Serbian Orthodox Church ( sr-Cyrl, Српска православна црква, Srpska pravoslavna crkva) is one of the autocephalous (ecclesiastically independent) Eastern Orthodox Christian denomination, Christian churches.
The majori ...
.
Life
Jovan was the younger son of
Stefan Branković
Stefan Branković ( sr-Cyrl, Стефан Бранковић; c. 1417 – 9 October 1476), also known in historiography as Stefan the Blind (Стефан Слепи), was briefly the despot (ruler) of the Serbian Despotate between 1458 and 1459, m ...
, exiled Despot of Serbia (1458–1459), and Princess
Angelina Arianites. He was born c. 1465, while his parents were residing in the Castle
Belgrado, in the region of
Friuli
Friuli ( fur, Friûl, sl, Furlanija, german: Friaul) is an area of Northeast Italy with its own particular cultural and historical identity containing 1,000,000 Friulians. It comprises the major part of the autonomous region Friuli Venezia Giulia ...
. His father, Despot Stefan, died in 1476 while family was still living in Belgrado. In 1479, Emperor
Friedrich III Frederick III may refer to:
* Frederick III, Duke of Upper Lorraine (died 1033)
* Frederick III, Duke of Swabia (1122–1190)
* Friedrich III, Burgrave of Nuremberg (1220–1297)
* Frederick III, Duke of Lorraine (1240–1302)
* Frederick III of S ...
granted them Castle
Weitensfeld in
Carinthia
Carinthia (german: Kärnten ; sl, Koroška ) is the southernmost States of Austria, Austrian state, in the Eastern Alps, and is noted for its mountains and lakes. The main language is German language, German. Its regional dialects belong to t ...
, and Jovan moved there with the rest of family.
Jovan's cousin
Vuk Branković
Vuk Branković ( sr-cyr, Вук Бранковић, , 1345 – 6 October 1397) was a Serbian medieval nobleman who, during the Fall of the Serbian Empire, inherited a province that extended over present-day southern and southwestern Serbia, enti ...
, titular Despot of Serbia, died in 1485, without direct heirs. His title and estates in the Kingdom of Hungary were left vacant, prompting Hungarian king
Matthias Corvinus
Matthias Corvinus, also called Matthias I ( hu, Hunyadi Mátyás, ro, Matia/Matei Corvin, hr, Matija/Matijaš Korvin, sk, Matej Korvín, cz, Matyáš Korvín; ), was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490. After conducting several mi ...
to find a suitable heir. He opted for the only remaining male members of Branković family (Đorđe and Jovan), inviting them to come to Hungary.
In 1486, they arrived in Hungary, and Jovan's elder brother
Đorđe Đorđe ( sr-Cyrl, Ђорђе;transliterated Djordje) is a Serbian given name, a Serbian variant, derived from Greek '' Georgios'' (''George'' in English). Other variants include: Đurđe, Đurađ, Đura, Đuro, Georgije. It may refer to:
* Đor ...
received the title of ''Despot of Serbia'' from King Matthias, who granted them possessions in
Kupinik, Slankamen, and Berkasovo in the region of
Syrmia
Syrmia ( sh, Srem/Срем or sh, Srijem/Сријем, label=none) is a region of the southern Pannonian Plain, which lies between the Danube and Sava rivers. It is divided between Serbia and Croatia. Most of the region is flat, with the exce ...
.
From 1493 forwards, the brothers ruled jointly, since Jovan was also granted the title ''Despot of Serbia'', as it was customary in the Kingdom of Hungary that various senior posts be held jointly by two incumbents.
In 1497, Đorđe decided to relinquish all of his titles and possessions to Jovan. At that time, Đorđe took monastic vows, adopting the name ''Maksim'' ( sr-Cyrl, Максим). The brothers later built the
Krušedol monastery
The Krušedol Monastery ( sr-cyr, Манастир Крушедол, Manastir Krušedol, ) is a Serbian Orthodox monastery on the Fruška Gora mountain in the Syrmia region, northern Serbia, in the province of Vojvodina. The monastery is the lega ...
in the region of
Syrmia
Syrmia ( sh, Srem/Срем or sh, Srijem/Сријем, label=none) is a region of the southern Pannonian Plain, which lies between the Danube and Sava rivers. It is divided between Serbia and Croatia. Most of the region is flat, with the exce ...
.
Jovan had different goals to those of his brother Đorđe. He did not seek to create a
heavenly realm
Heavenly may refer to:
* Pertaining to Heaven
Music Bands
* Heavenly (British band), an English pop band
* Heavenly (French band), a French heavy metal band
Albums
* ''Heavenly'' (Johnny Mathis album), 1959
* ''Heavenly'' (L'Arc-en-Ciel a ...
, but sought to defeat the Turks and drive them out of his lands, and as such to be entitled the ranks of his ancestors. He successfully fought the Ottoman Empire during several operations in
Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and He ...
, especially around
Zvornik
Zvornik ( sr-cyrl, Зворник, ) is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in Republika Srpska, on the left bank of the Drina river. In 2013, it had a population of 58,856 inhabitants.
The town of Mali Zvornik ("Little Zvornik") lies ...
. Jovan also planned to free the Serbs from Ottoman rule with the help of the
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...
, but this was prevented by his death in 1502. After his death, the hope of restoring Serbia under the advancing
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
became weaker.
He married a Serbian noblewoman
Jelena Jakšić
Jelena Jakšić ( sr-Cyrl, Јелена Јакшић; c. 1475 – after 1536) was titular Despotissa of Serbia, first by marriage with Jovan Branković, who was titular Despot of Serbia from 1493 to 1502, and then by marriage with Ivaniš Berisl ...
, with whom he had several children, but no surviving male heir. After his death in 1502, Hungarian king
Vladislaus II (d. 1516) instructed Jovan's widow Jelena to remarry (1504) to a prominent nobleman,
Ivaniš Berislavić
Ivaniš Berislavić ( sr-cyr, Иваниш Бериславић; la, Joannes Berizlo) was the Despot of the Kingdom of Serbia (''regni Rascie despotus'') from 1504 to 1514. He was married to Jelena Jakšić who was the daughter of Stefan Jakš ...
(d. 1514) from
Požega County
Požega County ( hr, Požeška županija; hu, Pozsega vármegye) was a historic administrative subdivision (''županija'') of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia. Croatia-Slavonia was an autonomous kingdom within the Lands of the Crown of Sain ...
. Subsequently, Berislavić was granted the title ''Despot of Serbia'' and control over Branković family estates.
Jovan is mentioned in the "Dell'Imperadori Constantinopolitani", or
Massarelli manuscript, found in the papers of
Angelo Massarelli Angelo Massarelli (1510–1566) was the Roman Catholic bishop of Bishop of Telese o Cerreto Sannita (1557–1566). ''(in Latin)'' He is best known for keeping the Acts of the Council of Trent
The Council of Trent ( la, Concilium Tridentinum) ...
(1510–1566).
Sainthood
Members of the
Branković dynasty
The House of Branković ( sr-Cyrl, Бранковић, Brankovići / Бранковићи, ) is a Serbian medieval noble family and dynasty. According to genealogies created in the first half of the 15th century, the family descends via female l ...
were known for their devotion to
Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Eastern Orthodoxy, also known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism.
Like the Pentarchy of the first millennium, the mainstream (or "canonical") ...
, and Jovan Branković also represented that family tradition. His cult began in the first half of the 16th century. He was buried at the
Krušedol monastery
The Krušedol Monastery ( sr-cyr, Манастир Крушедол, Manastir Krušedol, ) is a Serbian Orthodox monastery on the Fruška Gora mountain in the Syrmia region, northern Serbia, in the province of Vojvodina. The monastery is the lega ...
, and laid together with the rest of his family members, in coffins at the altar. During the
Austro-Turkish War (1716–1718), a Turkish army invaded
Syrmia
Syrmia ( sh, Srem/Срем or sh, Srijem/Сријем, label=none) is a region of the southern Pannonian Plain, which lies between the Danube and Sava rivers. It is divided between Serbia and Croatia. Most of the region is flat, with the exce ...
in 1716, captured
Krušedol monastery
The Krušedol Monastery ( sr-cyr, Манастир Крушедол, Manastir Krušedol, ) is a Serbian Orthodox monastery on the Fruška Gora mountain in the Syrmia region, northern Serbia, in the province of Vojvodina. The monastery is the lega ...
and burned the
holy relics
In religion, a relic is an object or article of religious significance from the past. It usually consists of the physical remains of a saint or the personal effects of the saint or venerated person preserved for purposes of veneration as a tangi ...
, shortly after the
Battle of Petrovaradin
The Battle of Petrovaradin also known as the Battle of Peterwardein, took place on 5 August 1716 during the Austro-Turkish War when the Ottoman army besieged the Habsburgs-controlled fortress of Petrovaradin on the Military Frontier of the Hab ...
. Only some minor parts of the relics were preserved.
Family
He married Serbian noblewoman
Jelena Jakšić
Jelena Jakšić ( sr-Cyrl, Јелена Јакшић; c. 1475 – after 1536) was titular Despotissa of Serbia, first by marriage with Jovan Branković, who was titular Despot of Serbia from 1493 to 1502, and then by marriage with Ivaniš Berisl ...
, who is mentioned as ''"Helena, Serbiæ despotissa"'' in a charted dated to 1502. They had 4 children, all of whom were daughters:
* Marija, married to Ferdinand Frankopan, of the
House of Frankopan
The House of Frankopan ( hr, Frankopani, Frankapani, it, Frangipani, hu, Frangepán, la, Frangepanus, Francopanus), was a Croatian noble family, whose members were among the great landowner magnates and high officers of the Kingdom of Croat ...
*
Jelena Jelena, also written Yelena and Elena, is a Slavic given name. It is a Slavicized form of the Greek name Helen, which is of uncertain origin. Diminutives of the name include Jelica, Jelka, Jele, Jela, Lena, Lenotschka, Jeca, Lenka, and Alena.
Not ...
, married to
Peter IV Rareş
Peter may refer to:
People
* List of people named Peter, a list of people and fictional characters with the given name
* Peter (given name)
** Saint Peter (died 60s), apostle of Jesus, leader of the early Christian Church
* Peter (surname), a sur ...
,
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
of
Moldavia
Moldavia ( ro, Moldova, or , literally "The Country of Moldavia"; in Romanian Cyrillic: or ; chu, Землѧ Молдавскаѧ; el, Ἡγεμονία τῆς Μολδαβίας) is a historical region and former principality in Centr ...
* Ana, married to Fiodor
Sanguszko
150px, Paweł Karol Sanguszko
150px, Dymitr Sanguszko
150px, Roman Sanguszko
150px, Janusz Sanguszko
150px, Hieronim Sanguszko
150px, Barbara Sanguszko née Dunin
150px, Eustachy Erazm Sanguszko
150px, Władysław Hieronim Sanguszko
150p ...
,
Marshal
Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...
of
Volhynia
Volhynia (also spelled Volynia) ( ; uk, Воли́нь, Volyn' pl, Wołyń, russian: Волы́нь, Volýnʹ, ), is a historic region in Central and Eastern Europe, between south-eastern Poland, south-western Belarus, and western Ukraine. Th ...
* Marija Magdalena, married to Iwan
Wiśniowiecki
The House of Wiśniowiecki ( uk, Вишневе́цькі, ''Vyshnevetski''; lt, Višnioveckiai}) was a Polish-Lithuanian princely family of Ruthenian-Lithuanian origin, notable in the history of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. They we ...
, a noble from Volhynia
Some researchers have suggested, after taking into account the dates of Jelena's both marriages (first with Jovan Branković, and second with Ivaniš Berislavić), that some of her daughters who are usually considered to be from her first marriage, might in fact be from her second marriage.
Some genealogies also indicate that another daughter,
Milica Despina, married
Neagoe Basarab
Neagoe Basarab (; c.1459 – 15 September 1521) was the Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia between 1512 and 1521. Born into the boyar family of the Craioveşti (his reign marks the climax of the family's political influence) as the son of Pârvu Cra ...
,
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
of
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia (; ro, Țara Românească, lit=The Romanian Land' or 'The Romanian Country, ; archaic: ', Romanian Cyrillic alphabet: ) is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Lower Danube and so ...
(1512–21). Some believe Milica was too old to be his daughter, but she was born cca. 1486–1488.
[George Marcu, Rodica Ilinca, Enciclopedia personalităţilor feminine din România, Editura Meronia, București, 2012,] Milica Despina might have been an illegitimate daughter of his or other close relative or even the daughter of Jovan's brother
Đorđe Đorđe ( sr-Cyrl, Ђорђе;transliterated Djordje) is a Serbian given name, a Serbian variant, derived from Greek '' Georgios'' (''George'' in English). Other variants include: Đurđe, Đurađ, Đura, Đuro, Georgije. It may refer to:
* Đor ...
with whom she went to Wallachia in 1503.
References
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brankovic, Jovan
15th-century Serbian monarchs
16th-century Serbian monarchs
15th-century Serbian royalty
16th-century Serbian royalty
Jovan
Despots of Serbia
15th-century births
1502 deaths
Eastern Orthodox royal saints