Seneslau,[1][2] also Seneslav or Stănislau,[3] was a Vlach voivode mentioned in the Diploma of the Joannites issued by king Béla IV of Hungary (1235–1270) on 2 July 1247. The diploma granted territories to the Knights Hospitaller in the Banate of Severin and Cumania.[4] According to the diploma, the king gave the territories east of the Olt River to the knights, with the exception of the territory of voivode Seneslau.[4]

The name of Seneslav is of Slavic origin. Seneslau held central and southern Muntenia[1] (i.e., the territories along the rivers Argeş and Dâmboviţa).[2] The Romanian historian Ioan Aurel Pop suggests that Seneslau was quasi independent of the king of Hungary.[2] According to the Hungarian historian István Vásáry, his title (voivode) suggests that he had a territorial unit under his jurisdiction.[4]

The diploma of Béla IV also refers to the kenazates of John, Farcaş and voivode Litovoi.[4] Although the names of Seneslau and Litovoi are of Slavic origin, they are expressly said to be Vlachs (Olati) in the king's diploma.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Georgescu, Vlad. The Romanians: A History.
  2. ^ a b c Pop, Ioan Aurel. Romanians and Romania: A Brief History.
  3. ^ Treptow, Kurt W.; Popa, Marcel. Historical Dictionary of Romania.
  4. ^ a b c d e Vásáry, István. Cumans and Tatars: Oriental Military in the Pre-Ottoman Balkans, 1185-1365.

Sources

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