Partial or absolute authority : the head (djed) of the Bosnian Church as an arbiter in determining culpability between Bosnian rulers and nobles in the 14th and 15th centuries

In medieval Bosnia, the existence of a unified legal code that defined the legal principles, duties, and obligations of the parties involved in a particular dispute was not recorded. One of the most significant relationships in the history of medieval Bosnia was the relationship between the ruler and the nobility. The rights and obligations of the nobles in relation to the ruler in the medieval Bosnian state were defined through the institution of "faithful service" on one side and "noble faith" on the other. Simply put, as long as the nobles faithfully served the ruler, they were secure and their possessions were protected. This article focuses on instances of treason against the ruler and the judicial body responsible for investigating charges and delivering judgments according to established legal customs. The nobles mentioned in the Bosnian charters played a role in defining the relationship between the ruler and the respective noble, as did members of the hierarchy of the Bosnian Church. The Bosnian Church was a religious institution formed in the territory of Bosnia after the displacement of the Catholic diocese in the mid-13th century and was first mentioned in the 1320s. It was considered a heretical movement by the Roman Church, and its followers were excommunicated. It was accepted by the Bosnian ruling dynasty of Kotromanić and by the majority of noble families. From the perspective of neighboring states, the hierarchy of this church was considered to be the authority characterized by exceptional moral values. The aim of this article is to provide the research results regarding the role of the head (djed) of the Bosnian Church in determining the culpability of Bosnian nobles during the 14th and 15th centuries.