The Voveu Kingdom - a Medieval city-state

Voveu (Romanian, Latin), Vovovitsa (Bulgarian), Vovovica (Croatian and Serbian) is a present-day village neighborhood and eponymous field and a former micro-kingdom. It is situated to the North-East of Sevlievo, a town in Bulgaria. Since the majority of the population was Slavic, Vovovitsa/Vovovica was the official name, but the Vlachs (and later, also the Jewish) from the settlement called it Voveu. Voveu was also used by foreigners. The original settlers were the Vlachs, the Serbs and the Croats. However, due to the destabilization of the Second Bulgarian Empire, some Bulgarian and Jewish families moved in. In the late 12th century the settlement proclaimed itself as a kingdom. The Second Bulgarian Empire was too shaky and ignored that and Vovovitsa got a de facto semi-autonomous status. The kingdom ceased to exist around the time Bulgaria was occupied by the Ottoman Empire. During the Bulgarian renaissance and the Socialism, many sources, maps and books concerning Voveu were destroyed as its history was deemed unfavorable of the times. However, stories about the kingdom survived and were part of the local folklore well into the mid 20th century.

Ethnic profile
Settlers were very diverse for such a small community - mainly Slavic-speaking (mainly Serbs and Croats, later some Bulgarians), but also Vlachs (Romanians) and Jews. Unlike the ethnic assimilation that was taking place all over Europe around that time, no one in Voveu was forced to leave their customs and traditions in order to assimilate. Most individuals were multilingual. Not only that, but the people from the village-kingdom celebrated all holidays together. During the Ottoman rule many settlers moved back to their home lands of present-day Romania, Croatia and Serbia, and those who stayed got assimilated and started listing themselves as Bulgarians in the census.

Name etymology
Vovovitsa (BG) or vovovica (SRB) is a now-defunct word that used to mean water mill. According to some local legends, the community was created around an old water mill on the Rositsa river that got destroyed by the Ottomans. Some foreign merchants of the time called Voveu "The water mill kingdom".

Language
Lingua franca: A Bulgarian/Serbo-Croatian mix
Others: Vlach language (Romanian), some Yiddish

Present day map of the Voveu area (in green):

If you were going somewhere with this, you might get a little more interest.

At one time, there were several other "micro-kingdoms.

Oh he does...as do I....wish you success in fighting your admitted mental health issues. A/D is tricky.....Now...get somewhere with this. Because in the end a declarative post with no meaningful context or relevance in comparison/contrast or further development....merely makes it nothing more than what one might learn from Google.

Or better yet, a good uni library.

Which means it's spam....and your a spammer.

But by nature, I'm a charitable individual....mostly.

So I'll give ya 24 hours to explain 'why' you, personally, like this period and region. Why it should be of interest. What academic or educational value might come from further study of it. And why then you might further develop it.

If ya don't ya gone. And the post will be as well.






Edited by Centrix Vigilis - 27-Jan-2016 at 16:46

Originally posted by kikoto It is important because it was the first liberal kingdom where minorities were not oppressed. Everyone lived happily together, not the Western European version of tolerance (I accept you in my country, but I ignore you), but a relationship based on friendship and cooperation which was unique at that time in Europe.

Weak.

Iow. a generic subjective analysis.

You could have 'expanded' it; in comparison contrast to the more established cultural-political-social-theological concept/practice of 'divine right' or hierarchical ruler ship and serfdom/slavery..for example.

Who ruled? Was there a social hierarchy even given the alleged egalitarianism? What theological positions were held and or believed.

Commerce-trade-natural resources. Communication-transportation-trade routes-maritime activities if applicable-diplomatic practices...the list is near endless.


I, for another example, would have been keenly interested in the development, formation and establishment of any military forces in existence in the kingdom.

Their tactical practices...leadership..equipment..and so forth.

Regional conflicts. Defense against expansionism from hostile neighbors. To name but a few.


Which is why it might then be worthy of future study, research, and analysis etc.

Avoid 'declarative' posting here simply as declarative posting. It is insufficient. And it is often associated with spammers and spambots.


But for now you escape the headsman's ax.

Iow. continue your research and good luck.

Do not believe btw, that you are necessarily being singled out for chastisement. For once long ago, as an undergraduate...I too was challenged. And that's as it should be for the student of history.

And finally you should always cite sources, certainly in an initial posting. Even if the original work is entirely your own...why? Because someone or something excited your interest..and they or that, is then due credit.

This is what the professional or amateur ascribing to be professional does.

Remember the historical method and apply it.

If you do you gain credibility and a wider audience...if you do not...then expect the opposite.




Edited by Centrix Vigilis - 28-Jan-2016 at 15:25