Jakša
Encyclopedia
Jakša was a military commander (voivode, Duke
) in the Serbian Despotate
, under Đurađ Branković. In 1452, he was sent as a deputy of the Despot to Dubrovnik
. As an Ottoman vassal, Đurađ was forced to send an army to participate in the siege of Constantinople (1453). Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror did not tell Đurađ his intentions, but said that the cavalry would travel to Karaman
. The sultan slaughtered civilians on his way to Constantinople, which he quickly besieged, Duke Jakša hearing of this, wanted to return but was warned that if they would not continue, the Sultan would destroy the Serbs. The cavalry reached Constantinople, which had been the cradle of Southeastern Christianity and culture, serving as the capital of the now destroyed Byzantine Empire
. In his army was Konstantin Mihailović
.
He is the eponymous founder of the Jakšić noble family
. He had two sons, Stefan and Dmitar.
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
) in the Serbian Despotate
Serbian Despotate
The Serbian Despotate was a Serbian state, the last to be conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Although the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 is generally considered the end of the medieval Serbian state, the Despotate, a successor of the Serbian Empire and Moravian Serbia survived for 70 more years,...
, under Đurađ Branković. In 1452, he was sent as a deputy of the Despot to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
. As an Ottoman vassal, Đurađ was forced to send an army to participate in the siege of Constantinople (1453). Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror did not tell Đurađ his intentions, but said that the cavalry would travel to Karaman
Karaman
Karaman is a town in south central Turkey, located north of the Taurus Mountains, about south of Konya. It is the capital district of the Karaman Province. According to 2000 census, the population of the province is 231 872 of which 132,064 live in the town of Karaman. The district covers an area...
. The sultan slaughtered civilians on his way to Constantinople, which he quickly besieged, Duke Jakša hearing of this, wanted to return but was warned that if they would not continue, the Sultan would destroy the Serbs. The cavalry reached Constantinople, which had been the cradle of Southeastern Christianity and culture, serving as the capital of the now destroyed Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. In his army was Konstantin Mihailović
Konstantin Mihailovic
Konstantin Mihailović was a Serbian who served as a Janissary during the 15th century for the Ottoman Empire. Born in the village of Ostrovica, near Novo Brdo around 1430 , Mihailović is remembered for having kept memoirs of his service and in doing so he allowed a unique insight into life in the...
.
He is the eponymous founder of the Jakšić noble family
Jakšić noble family
The Jakšić were a Serbian noble house that fought against the Ottoman Empire. The eponymous founder, Jakša, was a voivode in the service of Serbian Despot Đurađ Branković, and after the fall of Serbia to the Ottomans his descendants joined the ranks of the Hungarian army, Hungarian King Matthias...
. He had two sons, Stefan and Dmitar.
Sources
- Dr. Aleksa Ivić, Istorija Srba u Vojvodini, Novi Sad, 1929.
- Dr. Dušan J. Popović, Srbi u Vojvodini, knjiga 1, Novi Sad, 1990.
- http://www.rastko.rs/rastko-pl/istorija/janiczar/djzivanovic-predgovor_l.php