Vlastelin
Open-knowledge reference entry
Vlastelin (pl. vlastelini) is the Slavic language word for the "magnate", derived from vlast ("rule, power, authority, government, management, office"). Other words are velmoža and velikaš, sometimes used interchangeably, particularly to designate regional lords. Vlastelin was used when referring to the highest and most powerful nobility in the Balkans. The word "vlastela" is mentioned for the first time in the book "Nomokanon Svetog Save", from 1219, where the Greek word "Archon"(ἄρχων), is translated into Serbian vlastel, knez, boljar. Also, in Serbia and Croatia of the era, the velikaš and velmoža were most likely terms used in place of vlastelin.
From vlastelin, the term vlastelinčić was derived for lower or lesser vlastelin status.
In Eastern Europe, the equivalent term would be boyar.
Titles used by the higher nobility in medieval Bosnia include Grand duke (person in command of military) in Bosnia specifically Grand Duke of Bosnia, Knyaz, Duke, Prince, etc.
“Vlastelin” enters the record as open-knowledge reference entry. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Vlastelin, Open-knowledge and entry can confirm, complicate or overturn.
Why this record matters
“Vlastelin” is worth following because a concise public description often conceals a longer documentary argument. Here, Vlastelin, Open-knowledge and entry provides the most credible route into that argument.
Named sources, stable identifiers and responsible institutions provide the strongest route from overview to verifiable evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jun 17, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q65075256. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1219.
The absence of detail may reflect summary conventions rather than a lack of surviving documentation. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Vlastelin”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Vlastelin primary sources, Vlastelin archive and Vlastelin research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Vlastelin”?
- Which institution is responsible for the underlying evidence?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Vlastelin” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.