The title of knez on the Balkan Peninsula in the Middle Ages – origin and meaning

In the mentioned monograph, we are talking about the title of knez on the Balkan Peninsula in the Middle Ages, that is, about its origin and meaning in the mentioned time period. In addition to being present in all Slavic languages, princely dignity was very widespread not only among the South, but also among the Eastern and Western Slavs, and it is also mentioned in Romania and Hungary.

   Knez has almost always meant an elder, a chief, in short, a man of repute, and previous research in historical science points to the conclusion that the title of knez, on the one hand, was acquired by inheritance, while, on the other hand, it could also be acquired by merit. More precisely, individual persons could receive the honorary title of knez based on their merits and abilities, but also on the confidential jobs they performed for rulers or regional lords. In addition, the title of knez varied and it did not have the same meaning and the same rank in all areas and among all peoples, so that in the available original material, knez are mentioned as independent rulers, members of the ruling house, regional lords, but also as persons who were in the service of rulers or regional lords. It is known that the knez was at the head of the Republic of Dubrovnik, but also of other coastal cities, as evidenced by numerous statutes, as well as other sources and literature. Knez, as persons of repute, had power in mining and urban settlements, then they were at the head of Vlach groups, and in some cases, the title of knez was also held by higher church dignitaries. Also, today many surnames and toponyms are derived from the title of knez.

   In later periods, the title of knez lost its original meaning, so that princes were mentioned, mostly, as elders or heads of principalities and villages. Unlike certain titles, which, over time, completely degraded or disappeared from the historical stage, the title of knez did not suffer such a fate. Admittedly, there were periods when the mentioned title had prestige and splendor, but also devaluation, especially during the expansion of Byzantine titles and ranks.