Stjepan I of Croatia
Encyclopedia
Stephen I Krešimirović (c. 988 – 1058) was a King of Croatia
from c. 1030 until 1058 and a member of House of Trpimirović, first of the Krešimirović branch. Stephen I is actually not first Croatian king that bore the name "Stephen" ("Stjepan"), but second. Although, since Stephen Držislav took the name Stephen at his coronation, and it was not his native name, Stephen I was always referred as "the first".
and was born around 988. In Trogir
under Venetian control, there was a meeting between Doge Pietro Orseolo II and Krešimir III, in which Stephen was to be taken hostage and marry the Doge's daughter, Joscella (Hicela) Orseolo, as part of the agreement made at their meeting.
He was married to Joscella (Hicela) Orseolo of Venice, the daughter of Pietro II Orseolo
, who bore him two sons: Peter Krešimir IV, who succeeded him as the King of Croatia and Častimir, the father of the future Croatian King Stephen II.
in 1030, although it is likely that he co-ruled with him from 1028. The King continued his predecessors' ambitions of spreading rule over the coastal cities and conducted activities in that course greatly, but it was all eventually in vain. He focused on rebuilding Croatia's military strength and in 1032 sent a large segment of his naval fleet to assist Byzantium
in its war against the Arab
s. Tensions between the Byzantines and Arabs had escalated after Muslims destroyed the Church of St. Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Stjepan used this to his advantage, utilizing the restored Croatian-Byzantine alliance as a method of pacifying the Byzantines and simultaneously frustrate Venetian
desires to occupy Croatia's coastline.
During his reign, he invaded Hungary and secured the territories to the river Drina
for himself.
Between 1038 and 1041, Stephen managed to successfully conquer Zadar
from the Venetians for a short period, possibly with the help of the newly crowned Hungarian king Peter Urseolo, whose aunt Stephen was married to.
In 1035, the Carinthian count Aldabero sought help in Croatia against the Holy Roman Emeror
Conrad II
, who he was in a feud with since he succeeded the throne. Aldabero was accused on 18 May 1035 during the Bamberg
assembly for conspiring with Croatia
. Because of this, the Emperor strengthened the southeastern part of his state, where it bordered with Croatia.
In an effort to keep the Roman influence over the Dalmatian cities, the Byzantine emperor appointed Stjepan Praska, previously a ban serving under king Stephen I, as an Imperial commander. Although he nominally worked for the Byzantine Empire from Zadar, he helped the king gain other littoral settlements.
in 1040, which stretched to the north until it met the river Drava
. The bishop of Knin had also the nominal title as the "Croatian bishop" (Latin
: episcopus Chroatensis).
Trade and commerce flourished under Stephen I. A burgeoning aristocracy emerged in Zadar
, Biograd, Knin
, Split
and other coastal cities. It is likely that urban centres in Slavonia
also grew at this time (particularly along the Sava River) as people migrated northwards and eastwards in search of new farming land. The two largest towns in Slavonia at this time were Zagreb
and Sisak
.
In 1050, King Stephen I, ruler of Bosnia and Dalmatia, made a grant of land along the coast which extended the boundaries of Ragusa
to Zaton
, 16 km north of the original city, giving the republic control of the abundant supply of fresh water which emerges from a source vauclusienne at the head of the Ombla inlet. Stephen's grant also included the harbour of Gruž
, which is now the commercial port for Dubrovnik.
Stephen I ruled until 1058 when his son, Petar Krešimir IV
, took over.
Kingdom of Croatia (medieval)
The Kingdom of Croatia , also known as the Kingdom of the Croats , was a medieval kingdom covering most of what is today Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkans.Established in 925, it ruled as a sovereign state for almost two centuries...
from c. 1030 until 1058 and a member of House of Trpimirović, first of the Krešimirović branch. Stephen I is actually not first Croatian king that bore the name "Stephen" ("Stjepan"), but second. Although, since Stephen Držislav took the name Stephen at his coronation, and it was not his native name, Stephen I was always referred as "the first".
Background
He was the son of former King Krešimir IIIKrešimir III of Croatia
Krešimir III was a King of Croatia in 1000–1030 from the House of Trpimirović and founder of its cadet line House of Krešimirović. He was the middle son of former King Stjepan Držislav. Until 1020, he co-ruled with his brother Gojslav.-Reign:...
and was born around 988. In Trogir
Trogir
Trogir is a historic town and harbour on the Adriatic coast in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, with a population of 12,995 and a total municipality population of 13,322 . The historic city of Trogir is situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Čiovo...
under Venetian control, there was a meeting between Doge Pietro Orseolo II and Krešimir III, in which Stephen was to be taken hostage and marry the Doge's daughter, Joscella (Hicela) Orseolo, as part of the agreement made at their meeting.
He was married to Joscella (Hicela) Orseolo of Venice, the daughter of Pietro II Orseolo
Pietro II Orseolo
Pietro II Orseolo was the Doge of Venice from 991 to 1009.He began the period of eastern expansion of Venice that lasted for the better part of 500 years...
, who bore him two sons: Peter Krešimir IV, who succeeded him as the King of Croatia and Častimir, the father of the future Croatian King Stephen II.
Reign as king
Stephen formally succeeded his father Krešimir IIIKrešimir III of Croatia
Krešimir III was a King of Croatia in 1000–1030 from the House of Trpimirović and founder of its cadet line House of Krešimirović. He was the middle son of former King Stjepan Držislav. Until 1020, he co-ruled with his brother Gojslav.-Reign:...
in 1030, although it is likely that he co-ruled with him from 1028. The King continued his predecessors' ambitions of spreading rule over the coastal cities and conducted activities in that course greatly, but it was all eventually in vain. He focused on rebuilding Croatia's military strength and in 1032 sent a large segment of his naval fleet to assist Byzantium
Byzantium
Byzantium was an ancient Greek city, founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas . The name Byzantium is a Latinization of the original name Byzantion...
in its war against the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
s. Tensions between the Byzantines and Arabs had escalated after Muslims destroyed the Church of St. Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Stjepan used this to his advantage, utilizing the restored Croatian-Byzantine alliance as a method of pacifying the Byzantines and simultaneously frustrate Venetian
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
desires to occupy Croatia's coastline.
During his reign, he invaded Hungary and secured the territories to the river Drina
Drina
The Drina is a 346 kilometer long river, which forms most of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It is the longest tributary of the Sava River and the longest karst river in the Dinaric Alps which belongs to the Danube river watershed...
for himself.
Between 1038 and 1041, Stephen managed to successfully conquer Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
from the Venetians for a short period, possibly with the help of the newly crowned Hungarian king Peter Urseolo, whose aunt Stephen was married to.
In 1035, the Carinthian count Aldabero sought help in Croatia against the Holy Roman Emeror
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
Conrad II
Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor
Conrad II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1027 until his death.The son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace, he inherited the titles of count of Speyer and of Worms as an infant when Henry died at age twenty...
, who he was in a feud with since he succeeded the throne. Aldabero was accused on 18 May 1035 during the Bamberg
Bamberg
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg is one of the few cities in Germany that was not destroyed by World War II bombings because of a nearby Artillery Factory that prevented planes from...
assembly for conspiring with Croatia
Kingdom of Croatia (medieval)
The Kingdom of Croatia , also known as the Kingdom of the Croats , was a medieval kingdom covering most of what is today Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Balkans.Established in 925, it ruled as a sovereign state for almost two centuries...
. Because of this, the Emperor strengthened the southeastern part of his state, where it bordered with Croatia.
In an effort to keep the Roman influence over the Dalmatian cities, the Byzantine emperor appointed Stjepan Praska, previously a ban serving under king Stephen I, as an Imperial commander. Although he nominally worked for the Byzantine Empire from Zadar, he helped the king gain other littoral settlements.
Later life and death
Stephen I established the diocese of KninKnin
Knin is a historical town in the Šibenik-Knin county of Croatia, located near the source of the river Krka at , in the Dalmatian hinterland, on the railroad Zagreb–Split. Knin rose to prominence twice in history, as a one-time capital of both the Kingdom of Croatia and briefly of the...
in 1040, which stretched to the north until it met the river Drava
Drava
Drava or Drave is a river in southern Central Europe, a tributary of the Danube. It sources in Toblach/Dobbiaco, Italy, and flows east through East Tirol and Carinthia in Austria, into Slovenia , and then southeast, passing through Croatia and forming most of the border between Croatia and...
. The bishop of Knin had also the nominal title as the "Croatian bishop" (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: episcopus Chroatensis).
Trade and commerce flourished under Stephen I. A burgeoning aristocracy emerged in Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
, Biograd, Knin
Knin
Knin is a historical town in the Šibenik-Knin county of Croatia, located near the source of the river Krka at , in the Dalmatian hinterland, on the railroad Zagreb–Split. Knin rose to prominence twice in history, as a one-time capital of both the Kingdom of Croatia and briefly of the...
, Split
Split (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
and other coastal cities. It is likely that urban centres in Slavonia
Slavonia
Slavonia is a geographical and historical region in eastern Croatia...
also grew at this time (particularly along the Sava River) as people migrated northwards and eastwards in search of new farming land. The two largest towns in Slavonia at this time were Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
and Sisak
Sisak
Sisak is a city in central Croatia. The city's population in 2011 was 33,049, with a total of 49,699 in the administrative region and it is also the administrative centre of the Sisak-Moslavina county...
.
In 1050, King Stephen I, ruler of Bosnia and Dalmatia, made a grant of land along the coast which extended the boundaries of Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
to Zaton
Zaton
Zaton can refer to:* Zaton, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, a village located northwest of Dubrovnik, Croatia* Zaton, Šibenik-Knin County, a village located northeast of Vodice, Croatia* Zaton, Zadar County, a village located south of Nin, Croatia...
, 16 km north of the original city, giving the republic control of the abundant supply of fresh water which emerges from a source vauclusienne at the head of the Ombla inlet. Stephen's grant also included the harbour of Gruž
Gruž
Gruž is modern day neighborhood in the greater city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. The main port for Dubrovnik is in Gruž as well as its largest market and the main bus station "Libertas". Around 15,000 people currently live in Gruž...
, which is now the commercial port for Dubrovnik.
Stephen I ruled until 1058 when his son, Petar Krešimir IV
Petar Krešimir IV of Croatia
Peter Krešimir IV, called the Great , was a notably energetic King of Croatia from 1059 to his death in 1074/1075. He was the last great ruler of the Krešimirović branch of the House of Trpimirović....
, took over.
Family
c. 1008: Hicela, daughter of Doge Peter Oreolo of Venice- Peter Krešimir IV of Croatia (? – 1074/1075), King of Croatia from 1059
- Častimir or Gojslav (? – ?)
Sources
- Intervju - ДИНАСТИЈЕ и владари јужнословенских народа. Special Edition 12, 16 June 1989.
- Royal Croatia