Montenegrin nobility
The Montenegrin nobility (1852–1918) are notable people of the Principality of Montenegro and the Kingdom of Montenegro who hold titles such as knez (prince), vojvoda (voivode), veliki vojvoda (grand voivode), serdar, and guvernadur (governor). The titles are hereditary or for life.[1] Focusing on the Montenegrin nobility of the late 19th century surrounding the then recent secularisation of the principality under Danilo II and his court, excluding the older traditional clan nobility.
History
Historically the hereditary Metropolitans or Prince-Bishops of Montenegro (theocratic rulers) had created a governing class that was somewhat similar to nobility in other countries. Petar II Petrović-Njegoš issued a decree creating Prince Alexander Karađorđević (later Alexander I, Prince of Serbia between 1842-1858), the younger son of Karađorđe, as Vojvoda (Voivode). During this reign there were fourteen families with the rank of Serdar, namely, Petrović-Njegoš, Vukotić, Đurašković, Martinović, Perović, Plamenatz, Drekalović, Mijušković, Bošković, Božović, Đulović, Medenica, Vlahović and Laketić.
In the diploma creating Nikola Mihailov Vasojević a hereditary Knez (Prince or Chieftain), Petar II signed the document in Cetinje as "Prince Petar Petrović-Njegoš, Vladika (Prince-Bishop) and Gospodar (Lord) of Montenegro and Brda". The diploma establishes a noble lineage for the new Prince Nikola Mihailov as a direct descendant of Prince Radonja of Holmia (Brda) (himself raised to the rank of Prince by Stephen Dušan "the Mighty", Emperor of the Serbs and Greeks, in 1346. The diploma is also a grant of arms describing a blazon for the Princes of Holmia and their heirs.
King Nikola I Petrovic-Njegos, formerly Prince (reigning 1860-1921) deprived disloyal subjects from inheriting the titles of their ancestors; Marko Miljanov Popović, having previously unified his own Kuči clan with Montenegro in 1874, following a fierce disagreement with Prince Nikola in 1882, had to resign the State Council and was deprived of his title of Vojvoda (Voivode) by Prince Nikola.
Legacy
The granting of titles has continued to the present day, although without any legal basis. In 2001, Prince Nicholas II granted the title Veliki Vojvoda (Grand Voivode) of Grahovo and Zeta to his son, Prince Boris Petrović-Njegoš, although this is not a noble title but a royal style.[2] Other members of the Royal family and persons close to the dynasty have also received courtesy titles.
Notable people
- Prince Mirko Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro, Grand Voivode of Grahovo and Zeta (1879–1918)
- Prince Peter Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro, Grand Voivode of Zahumlije (1889–1932)
- Prince Boris Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro, Grand Voivode of Grahovo and Zeta (b. 1980)
- Anto Gvozdenović (1853–1935)
- Prince Pavle Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro, Prince of Raška (1910-1933)
- Voivode Novica Cerović (1805-1895), Voivode of the Drobnjak clan
- Voivode Miloš Krivokapić (1819-1907), Voivode of the Cuce clan
- Voivode Stanko Radonjić (1841-1889), Duke of the Njeguši clan
- Voivode Božo Petrović-Njegoš (1846-1929), Duke of the Njeguši clan, member of the Royal House
- Voivode Miljan Vukov Vešović (1820-1886), Duke of the Vasojevići tribe
- Voivode Gavrilo Vuković (1852-1928), Duke of the Vasojevići tribe, son of Duke Miljan
- Serdar Janko Vukotić (1866–1927)
- Count Milo Martinović
References
- ^ Marco Houston. Nikola & Milena, King & Queen of the Black Mountains (2003 ed.). LEPPI. ISBN 0952164442.
- ^ John James (ed.). Almanach de Gotha (2014 ed.). BOYE6. ISBN 9780957519831.