„WARRIOR BANDS“ FROM THE TERRITORY OF ZETA AND THE CRNOJEVIĆ REGION IN DISPUTES OVER LAND OWNERSHIP (1445-1492) -PARALLELS WITH MEDIEVAL SERBIA

Abstract

In the late Middle Ages (1445-1492) there were disputes over land ownership between warrior bands in the territory of Zeta and region of the Cmojević. The following cases were considered: the dispute over the boundaries between Mataguži and Hoti in 1445, the dispute over the boundaries between the Grudi and the Podgoričani, return of land to the Golubovići, determination of boundaries between the Kčeva and the Pješivci, Brežine and Stanisaljići, determination of boundaries of Orahove Ljuti, demarcation between the Bajice, Bjeloševići and Očinići. As in medieval Serbia they appear before the state representative or the local lord. Lesser officials such as 'kefalija' and 'pristav' played an important role, which was confirmed by several examples. Although the number of witnesses in medieval Serbia varied depending on the significance of a dispute and its duration (24, 12, 9, 8, 6 or 4), in the area in question there were 24 “landowners“ by rule.