Queen Jelena the Glorious: Croatia's Forgotten Female Ruler

Croatia's Baška Tablet: The Birth of Croatian Writing

In this episode of The History of Croatia, Lucas and Luna explore the Baška Tablet (Bašćanska ploča), one of the earliest and most significant monuments of Croatian language and culture. Discovered in the 19th century on the island of Krk, this inscribed stone slab from around 1100 AD contains a remarkable text in the Glagolitic script—the oldest known Slavic alphabet. Lucas explains how the tablet records a land grant by King Dmitar Zvonimir to the Benedictine abbey of St. Lucy, and how its discovery reshaped our understanding of early Croatian literacy and national identity. They discuss the Glagolitic versus Cyrillic scripts, the role of the Croatian Sabor (parliament) in preserving the tablet, and the ongoing debates about its exact interpretation. This episode also touches on the broader context of medieval Croatian kingdoms, the influence of the papacy, and the cultural legacy of the Glagolitic tradition. Perfect for listeners who want to understand how a single stone can embody the spirit of a nation. #BaškaTablet #BašćanskaPloča #GlagoliticScript #KrkIsland #KingZvonimir #CroatianHistory #MedievalCroatia #Benedictines #StLucyAbbey #CroatianLanguage #OldChurchSlavonic #Sabor #FexingoHistory #History #Europe #Medieval #Linguistics #Epigraphy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Queen Jelena the Glorious: Croatia's Forgotten Female Ruler

This episode explores the remarkable life and reign of Queen Jelena the Glorious of Croatia, the wife of King Dmitar Zvonimir and a powerful ruler in her own right. After Zvonimir's death in 1089, Jelena navigated a treacherous political landscape, securing the succession for her brother-in-law Stjepan II and later aligning with King Coloman of Hungary. Her influence was crucial in the lead-up to the Pacta Conventa of 1102, the agreement that united Croatia and Hungary. We also discuss her role in the Sabor, her patronage of the Church, and archaeological evidence from her time, including the Kaptol excavations and the Baška Tablet, which mention her reign. The episode sheds light on how a woman wielded power in a patriarchal medieval kingdom and why she remains a controversial figure—celebrated by some as a peacemaker, vilified by others as a traitor for her Hungarian alliance. #QueenJelena #JelenaLijepa #CroatianHistory #MedievalCroatia #DmitarZvonimir #PactaConventa #BaškaTablet #Kaptol #ColomanOfHungary #Sabor #StjepanII #Zvonimir #QueenConsort #MedievalQueenship #CroatianKingdom #Dalmatia #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

The Croatian Parliament: A Thousand Years of the Sabor

The Croatian Sabor is one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in Europe, with roots stretching back to the medieval kingdom. In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace its evolution from the tribal councils of early Croatian dukes to the modern democratic assembly. They explore how the Sabor elected kings in the 11th century, negotiated the Pacta Conventa with Hungary in 1102, and served as a forum for noble resistance during Habsburg rule. Key figures like the ban and the Sabor's role in the 1848 Illyrian movement and the 1990 independence are discussed. The conversation also touches on the Tabula Trogirensis, a 12th-century inscription showing early parliamentary activity, and the Sabor's temporary abolition under Yugoslav communism. This episode offers a fresh angle on Croatian political history through the lens of its longest-lasting institution. #CroatianSabor #ParliamentaryHistory #Croatia #MedievalCroatia #PactaConventa #TabulaTrogirensis #IllyrianMovement #1848 #Habsburg #Independence #Democracy #BalkanHistory #DukeTrpimir #KingTomislav #BanJelacic #Yugoslavia #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Ivan Gundulić and the Baroque Soul of Ragusa

In this episode of The History of Croatia, we step away from the battles and treaties to explore the cultural life of the Republic of Ragusa through its greatest poet, Ivan Gundulić. Born in 1589 into a noble family, Gundulić wrote the epic poem "Osman" — a sprawling work about the clash between the Ottoman and Polish worlds, infused with Ragusa's own anxieties about its powerful neighbor. We discuss how Gundulić's Baroque style, with its vivid imagery and moral allegory, reflected the city's unique position as a Catholic republic under Ottoman suzerainty. We also look at his play "Dubravka," which gave Ragusa its enduring motto: "Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet liberty." The conversation touches on the Ragusan Academy of the Concord, the influence of Torquato Tasso, and how Gundulić's work was rediscovered in the 19th century as a cornerstone of Croatian national identity. This episode offers a window into the intellectual and artistic world of one of the Adriatic's most sophisticated city-states. #IvanGundulić #Ragusa #Dubrovnik #Osman #Dubravka #Baroque #CroatianLiterature #Adriatic #RepublicOfRagusa #AcademyOfTheConcord #TorquatoTasso #17thCentury #EpicPoetry #CroatianIdentity #SvetiVlaho #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Nikola IV Zrinski: The Siege of Szigetvár and Croatia's Hero

In this episode of The History of Croatia, hosts Lucas and Luna explore the life and legacy of Nikola IV Zrinski, the Croatian-Hungarian nobleman who led the legendary 1566 Siege of Szigetvár. They delve into the political landscape of 16th-century Croatia, the Ottoman threat under Suleiman the Magnificent, and how Zrinski's last stand against overwhelming odds became a symbol of resistance. Lucas discusses Zrinski's military career, his role as Ban of Croatia, and the dramatic events of the siege, including his famous charge from the burning fortress. The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of Zrinski's story, from epic poetry to its influence on Hungarian national identity. This episode illuminates a pivotal moment in Croatian history that resonates through the centuries. #NikolaIVZrinski #SiegeofSzigetvár #SuleimanTheMagnificent #BattleofSzigetvár #BanOfCroatia #OttomanWars #CroatiaHistory #HabsburgMonarchy #MiklósZrínyi #16thCentury #MilitaryHistory #EarlyModernEurope #CroatianHeroes #Szigetvár1566 #FexingoHistory #Podcast #History #EuropeanHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]