Originally published in the newspaper “Dielli”. By Prof. Dr. Musa Ahmeti / KultPlus.com. Translation Petrit Latifi.
This article discusses the contents of an old century document from 1373 issued by George I Balsha (Gjergj Balshaj) which states that all of Dubrovnik had to pay taxes to him to ensure free movement and security. The document was written in Church Slavonic. The Balshaj, although being of Albanian origin, had to write in the language of the church that they belonged to.
The diploma of Gjergj Balsha issued on November 30, 1373 is original and preserved in the Dubrovnik State Archives, in the collection: Wiena 1022 [1014; no. 118]. – The text of the diploma is written in 13 lines. – While on the back (verso) of the diploma is this text in Latin: Pouelia pactorum comitis Ragusii cum domino Georgio de Balsa fatia in MCCLXXIII.
In European archives, an unpublished or partially published source-documentary material for the Albanian Middle Ages is preserved, the publication of which according to contemporary scientific methods of critical editing enables the filling of gaps for certain periods, especially for the second half of the 14th century and the first half of the 15th century.
These sources and documents are written in the languages of the time, which were in official use, with which personalities of Albanian political, social and cultural life communicated officially with those of Europe and beyond.
The Balshaj dynasty was one of the most famous Albanian dynasties in the 14th-15th centuries. From their chancellery that operated in several languages, and fortunately a considerable number of documents issued by this chancellery have been preserved, we have decided to publish them accompanied by facsimiles, transcribed [transliterated] into Old Slavonic, translated into Albanian and accompanied by relevant comments as comprehensive as possible, avoiding as much as possible the “tedious details” of diplomacy, sphragistics, heraldry, sigillography and paleography.
Unpublished or partially published source-documentary material about Balshaj, and in general about the Albanian Middle Ages, is found in many European archives, but in considerable quantities especially in the archives of Dubrovnik. The publication of this documentary material was issued by the State Archives of Dubrovnik and belongs to the second half of the 14th century.
All diplomas are written in medieval Slavic – Cyrillic – and were issued by the Balshaj chancellery in the period January 7, 1368 – November 3, 1395. The publication of these sources according to modern scientific methods of critical editing enables filling in the gaps for this specific period of Albanian history.
The Slavic language with the Cyrillic alphabet was practiced by the chancelleries of the medieval Albanian nobility alongside other languages, thus demonstrating diplomatic communication skills with various European and neighboring centers.
Diploma of November 30, 1373
15 diplomas preserved in the State Archives of Dubrovnik are those that we wish to present to Albanian historians and scholars, medievalists in particular, and the general reader. All of these diplomas are written on paper, half cardboard, and all are sealed. While when we are talking about the seals, we must emphasize that by publishing their facsimiles in their current state, we think that we bring a special contribution to their knowledge, even though they are almost all damaged, broken, and with missing parts.
Regarding the seals, there is a very significant special feature: the fifteen diplomas that we have in our hands are sealed with nine different types of seals, it is also important to note that all the seals are printed on paper and are made of wax. None of the seals are hanging and do not contain lead, metal, or gold, which was common for the time, but we emphasize again: they are all made of wax.
Only from the Dubrovnik State Archives can we identify nine types of seals used by the Balshaj Chancellery for the period in question. (We will provide more details on this when we deal with the examination of the seals, their types, dimensions, the content of the texts, heraldic signs and other accompanying elements).
To begin with, we have chosen to publish the diploma of November 30, 1373. This diploma is presented for the first time in this complete form to Albanian scholars, historians and specialists, but also to the general reader, and this: in facsimile, with transcription [transliteration] in the Cyrillic alphabet, translated into Albanian, commented on and accompanied by a relevant study.
To date, it has been published by the following Slavic scholars: P. Karano-Tvrtković, Srpski spomenici, 78–79, no. 64; F. Miklosich, Monumenta Serbica, 183–184, no. 173; T. Smičiklas, Diplomatički zbornik XIV, 554, no. 429; Lj. Stojanović, Povelje i pisma I–1, 106–107, no. 107; P. Đorđić, Istorija srpske ćirilice, 347, no. 145; B. Šekularac, Dukljansko–zetske povelje, 163–166; S. Rudić, SSA 8, 102–103, where in all these editions there are omissions and errors of various natures.
We have tried to correct them, always relying on the original of the diploma and not by making a description of the descriptions. We have not noted any author or publication, even partially Albanian, because all the citations made, not only of this diploma but also of others, are full of errors, since these Albanian authors did not know the Slavic language, and even more so they did not have knowledge of medieval Slavic paleography and Cyrillic reading.
The diploma of Gjergj and Balshë Balshë issued on November 30, 1373 is original and preserved in the Dubrovnik State Archives, in the collection: Wiena 1022 [1014; no. 118]. The text of the diploma is written in 13 lines. The diploma is written in Old Slavonic, with Cyrillic graphemes with elements of Glagolitic, in black, in small writing, in cursive, which is difficult to read in places, as can be seen from the illustrations we are publishing [see illustrations: 1 and 2].
It has been folded horizontally in two, while vertically in three equal parts. It is damaged by folding, but fortunately the text can be read without any problems, although lines 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are damaged. Meanwhile, due to the seal, the diploma on the right side, at the top, is obscured in lines 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, but even there it can be read without any problems.
The diploma is written on paper – half cardboard and has dimensions: 30cm x 22.5cm. It has been carefully preserved and is currently in relatively good condition. While on the back (verso) of the diploma is marked this text in Latin: Pouelia pactorum comitis Ragusii cum domino Georgio de Balsa fatia in MCCLXXIII.
We also have three other notes: an 1373, N°118 and 1014 which are the old signatures of this diploma (see illustration no. 2). A very significant element is that all the diplomas issued by the Balshaj chancellery for Ragusa /Dubronvik/, that we know of, are written on paper-half-cardboard. If we analyze this fact, then we can draw a conclusion that from the middle of the 14th century (1360) to the beginning of the 15th century (1405) in all the chancelleries of the Albanian nobles, but also those of neighboring states, the diplomas were written on paper, that is, not on parchment, although we do not exclude the possibility of using parchment in special cases.
If we also look at the diplomas of the Kastriots, (John of George-Skenderbeg), the Dukagjins and Alexander of Vlora, etc., from the period in question, they are all written on paper-half-cardboard.
As for the writing, as was the custom of the time, it has numerous abbreviations, which we have broken down into transcription [transliteration]. In small brackets “()” we have put the graphemes that are missing in the corresponding words according to the current reading of the Slavonic, while in large square brackets “[]” we have put the graphemes of abbreviations of words that was the practice of the time, while in straight brackets “||” we have put the number of the beginning of the line of the diploma text. In the transcription [transliteration] we have preserved all the punctuation marks of the time. No intervention or improvement of any grapheme or word has been made: everything has been left as it is in the original.
At the end of the 19th century, a simple restoration of this diploma was made, where 4 pieces of white paper were added so that the diploma would not be torn or damaged even more. The diploma is certified with a red, round wax seal, which is attached to the paper, at the bottom, on the right side below the text.
The seal is very damaged and in its current state there are only a few pieces of wax, which makes it impossible to read the text that was on the seal, now two or three graphemes are distinguished there [see illustration 3]. The cause of the damage to the seal is the frequent movement of this document in the relations: Dubrovnik-Vienna-Belgrade-Dubrovnik.
This document was written by the logofet Vitko, as can be seen at the end of the document. [The logofet headed the office of the prince-ruler’s chancellery, which drafted state documents, such as diplomas, international treaties, official and private letters of the ruler, maintained diplomatic correspondence with other states, took care of all types of acts, managed finances, etc.]
For the first time, this diploma was published in 1840. It has known numerous reprints, but never correctly and with numerous errors. The transcription [transcription] of the original diploma with the signature: Wiena 1022 [1014; no. 118] is very difficult not only for researchers and historians who are not specialists in Slavic paleography, especially Cyrillic and Glagolitic, but also for those who have long experience in transcriptions [transcriptions] of this type of writing.
The numerous abbreviations and the fine handwriting and in some cases, the special signs of the logothete, make the transcription [transcription] even more difficult. This diploma, which has the character of a public document, retains all the characteristics of documents of this historical era. We are starting the analysis in order:
At the beginning, the symbolic invocation is marked, followed by the verbal invocation and the date. The symbolic invocation, presented with the sign of the cross, shows the subordination of the real power of the Balshays to the ecclesiastical one, showing absolute loyalty to the church. The verbal invocation used in this document is a frequent characteristic of such Slavic documents.
With what of, the value of the document was increased by wishing that the purpose for its destination be achieved. In this case, it is expressed in the form: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. After the verbal invocation comes the date of the document, which in this document constitutes a special case.
Usually, at this time, the date is noted at the end of the text (which in our case in this diploma is also noted, so we have a duplication of the date of issuance of the diploma) this time, we have it at the beginning of the document and it indicates the date of writing, in the form: November 30, 1373 from the birth of Christ.
In terms of dating, there are two interesting moments that should be highlighted: a) the logothete marked only the year one thousand with letters as a whole, while the other numbers are marked with graphemes according to the practice of the time, this form of dating is characteristic of all diplomas issued by the Balshaj chancellery in the Slavic language, and the second moment b) the graphemes that are equivalent to the numbers of the dates, the logothete marked with an “X” above each grapheme.
Diploma of November 30, 1373
Immediately following is the title, which is quite short: I am Gjergj Balsha. Then, in the following, Gjergji reconfirms to the Dubrovnik people the old friendship, which according to him was ancient: the old friendship that my ancestors had with theirs. We cannot specify what exactly Gjergji meant by “my ancestors”? Did he mean his older brother Strazimir and his father Balsha or his grandparents.
If it is the latter, then George shows that his dynasty’s family has ancient roots of nobility. Meanwhile, the disposition, as the most important part of the diplomatic act, which in itself encompasses the moral and material object, which is dedicated to the recipient, is presented to us in the form where George swears to the Dubrovnik people:
“Before Saint Mary, in their great Church, on the Holy Cross and on the relics of Saint Vlahu and other holy things that are in their church, that I am their friend together with my brother Balsha and my nephew, the young George, to continue then with a very interesting and very special statement that is almost never encountered in similar diplomas of the time: if any of them lose something in my territory or under my rule, I, George, if I cannot find the culprit to hand over to the Dubrovnik nobility, I will pay the damage, and in the last part of the disposition George affirms: until I am the owner of this coastal land that is around Dubrovnik – let the nobility pay me taxes Dubrovnik, and if I can’t do anything for them, they shouldn’t pay me taxes”
This actually presents his claims to create an empire similar to that of the Serbian emperor Dushan, if not larger.
Meanwhile, in the exposition (narration) the actual circumstances for the decision to write such a diplomatic act are explained: By order of Mr. Gjergj, the logofet Vitko wrote in Dubrovnik on November 30, and as the last part we have the conclusion or eschatokol.
The reinforcement usually begins with a symbol, which in this case we have the cross and the witness of the diploma Dragash Kosačić. Here too is a special moment, because at that time it was practiced for more than one witness to be present. The diploma does not have the autograph signature of Gjergj Balša, but it does have his seal. We do not have a signature on any of the 15 diplomas we have under review.
The seal was sufficient as proof of the authority that issued it and as such in the Dubrovnik chancery it had a considerable weight. In addition to George, his brother Balsha II and his nephew George the Younger are also mentioned in the diploma. George the Younger or George II Balsha was the son of Strazimir and Jerina. Jerina was the daughter of Progon Dukagjini. While George II was married to Helena, the daughter of the Serbian prince Lazar Branković, with whom he had a son named Balše.
It is important to specify who the witness Dragash Kosačiqi was? According to archival sources, during the years 1373-1374 Dragash was protovestiar – that is, the head of the court and finances of the ruler – in our case Gjergj Balsha. Dragash was originally from Kotor and in several other cases we find him as a witness in diplomas of various rulers in the Dubrovnik State Archives. While the Vitko logophet is found only in this diploma and we have no other data about him.
In addition to the mentioned elements, this diplomatic act also lacks some standard or cliché parts, which are found in similar diplomas from the same period. These shortcomings do not reduce the importance and authenticity of this diploma.
Illustration. Transliteration of Balsha’s diploma from 1385 into the medieval Cyrillic alphabet.
Content of the document:
“DIPLOM OF GEORGE AND BALSH OF BALSH, DUBROVNIK – ALBANIAN TRANSLATION:
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I, Gjergj Balsha, on November 30, 1373 from the birth of Christ.
When I came to Dubrovnik [I found the hospitality, m.a.] and the old friendship that my ancestors had with theirs, I confirm and take my oath and kneel before them before St. Mary, in their great Church, at the Holy Cross and at the relics of St. Vlaho and other holy things which are in their church, that I am their friend together with my brother Balša and my nephew, the young George; and everyone from my tribe – will guard, protect and help your city, Dubrovnik and your citizens wherever I rule as far as I can reach [my power, m.a.]. And again I promise my noble brothers Dubrovnik that if anyone wants to harm Dubrovnik or its power, I will guard and help them [the people of Dubrovnik] and their power and their merchants who pass through my rule. And if any of them lose something in my territory or under my rule, I, George, if I cannot find the culprit to hand over to the Dubrovnik nobility, I will pay the damage. And the customs that did not apply to the Dubrovnik nobility and merchants during the time of Emperor Stefan, will not be under my rule or that of my brother Balsha, or that of my nephew, George the Younger. And if someone becomes emperor of the Serbs and the nobles and the Serbian land, the Dubrovnik nobles are not obliged to pay me the taxes that I write. And as long as I am the lord of this coastal land that is around Dubrovnik – the Dubrovnik nobility should pay me taxes, and if I cannot do any work for them, they should not pay me taxes.
And this with the grace and love of Dragash Kosačić.
By order of Lord George, the logofet Vitko wrote in Dubrovnik on November 30.”
Originally published in the newspaper “Dielli”. By Prof. Dr. Musa Ahmeti / KultPlus.com
Original article
Balkan Academia 