Stefan Vukčić

Stefan Vukčić (also "Stjepan", "Stipan", "Stevan") (1404-1466) Serb nobleman from the house of Kosača was a duke ("herzog") and governor ("voivod") of Bosnia, Primorje and Zahumlje ("Hum/Chelm"). It was Stefan's ducal title "Herceg" that gave rise to the name Herzegovina when he asserted the independence of the territory in 1435 and 1448. The title is today carried in the name of the country Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the name of the Montenegrin city of Herceg Novi.

After 1320s, Zahumlje and Travunia became part of the Bosnian kingdom. In a document sent to Friedrich III on January 20, 1448, Stefan Vukčić Kosača called himself Herzog of Saint Sava, lord of Hum and Primorje, great duke of the Bosnian kingdom (Herzog means duke in German) and so the lands he controlled became (much later) known as Herzog's lands or Herzegovina.

In 1482 Herzog was overpowered by Ottoman forces led by his own son, Ahmed Hercegović, who accepted Islam. In the Ottoman Empire, Herzegovina was organized as a province (sanjak) within the state (pashaluk) of Bosnia. The name of the country was changed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1853, as a result of a twist of political events. It was part of the Ottoman Empire for a bit less than four centuries.

Stephen founded the Serbian Orthodox Zagrađe Monastery near his realm's seat, modern-day Montenegro.

The Dukes of St. Sava

This family descended from one Vuk of the house of Kosača; he had two sons:

A1. Vlatko Vuković, Gov of Croatia A2. Hranja, Grand Duke of Bosnia; m.Anka; they had issue: B1. Sandalj Hranić Kosača, Grand Duke of Bosnia, Knez of Zahumlje, +1435; 1m: NN; 2m: 1396 Jelena N; 3m: 1405 Katarina, dau.of Vuk Vukčić, Ban of Croatia and Dalmatia; 4m: Jelena, dau.of Knez Lazar of Serbia C1. Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, Gr Duke of Bosnia, Lord of Zahumlje and Primorje, Duke of St.Sava, +1466; 1m: 1424 Jelena of Zeta (+1453); 2m: 1455 Varvara (possibly of the del Balzo family); 3m: Cecilie, a German lady D1. Vladislav, Duke of St.Sava, Lord of Krain (Herr von Krain), *ca 1427, +1487/89; m.1455 Kyra Ana, dau.of Georgios Kantakuzenos E1. Petar Balša, Duke of St. Sava, +after 1511; m.Quirina, dau.of Francesco Quirini, Archbishop of Sebenico (Šibenik) and Lesina F1. Matija Balša, Duke of St.Sava, +ca 1533; m.Irina Jakšić (+after 1539) G1. Miklos Balša, Duke of St.Sava, +after 1556 H1. Ivan H2. Andrija H3. Tomas H4. a daughter G2. a daughter, +after 1552 F2. Vladislav Hercegović, a monk, +after 1514 D2. Vlatko Hercegović, Duke of St.Sava, *ca 1426, +on the Island of Rab ca 1489; 1m: 1455 N von Cilli; 2m: 1474 Margherita di Marzano E1. Jovan Hercegović, Duke of St.Sava, +after 1546; m.Sofia Sossia, from Vicenza F1. Vlatko; m.Taddea Belasij G1. Giovanni, lived in Dubrovnik; m.Isabella Zorzi H1. Vlatko, lived in Dubrovnik, +after 1570; m.N Loredano I1. Elisabeta; m.1615 Angelo Zorzi F2. Ferante; m.1564 Faustina Erizzo F3. Isabella; m.Pompeo Avogrado F4. Sava; m.1544 Paolo Boldu E2. Marija; m.Antonio Pesare D3. Stjepan Hercegović, became a Moslem (Ahmed Hercegović) and was Grand Vizier and Grand Admiral to the Sultan; m.1482 Fatima, dau.of Sultan Bayezid II; he left descendants D4. Katarina, beatified, *1424, +Rome 25. November 1478, bur Ara Coeli, Rome; m.1446 King Stjepan Tomašević of Bosnia (+1461) C2. Teodora, +1450; m.1421/22 Radoslav Pavlević, Gr Duke of Bosnia B2. Vukac, +1432; m.Katharina N B3. Vuk Hranić, +1425 C1. Ivan Vuković D1. Adam Vuković