LIVING BY THE BORDER: SOUTH SLAVIC MARCHER LORDS IN THE LATE MEDIEVAL BALKANS (13TH–15TH CENTURIES)* Neven Isailović** Keywords: late middle ages, marches, frontier, nobility, the Balkans, the South Slavs, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, the Ottomans Cuvinte cheie: Evul mediu târziu, hotare, frontieră, nobilime, Balcani, slavii de sud, Serbia, Bosnia, Croaţia, Ungaria, otomanii South Slavic states in the Balkans were at all times surrounded by potent neighbouring countries (Byzantium, First Bulgarian Empire, Hungary, Ottoman Empire) and their mutual relations were often uneasy. Those neigh- bours were first to establish formal marches along the borderline, with the aim of protecting their frontiers and forming the basis for broadening their territo- ries at the expense of Slavic states.1 A similar practice was later adopted by the Slavs as well. Since the time of Roman and Frankish military frontiers (limes and marca), such a system was well-known in European warfare and politics and it was usually organised around natural barriers. Lords of the marches were bearers of one the highest titles in medieval hierarchy, and were usually appointed by the central government and belonging to the most trusted and loyal nobles of the country. In time, their service was rendering them and their family influential, mighty and often very rich.2 Which was at first an office, i.e. a * This paper is a result of the research project № 177029 funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. ** Institute of History, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail:
[email protected] 1 Andrew B.