Vlatko Vuković


Vlatko Vuković Kosača was a 14th-century Bosnian nobleman, duke of duchy of Hum, Grand Duke of Bosnia and one of the best military commanders of King Tvrtko I, for whom he governed Hum, which was part of the Banate of Bosnia and later Kingdom of Bosnia. Vlatko was probably a son of duke Vuk Kosača, often regarded as founder of the Kosača noble family.

Military engagements

Battle of Bileća

The Ottoman threat was building to the east, threatening Bosnia and its southeastern regions in Hum. On 27 August 1388, Grand Duke Vlatko defeated an Ottoman raiding party in the Battle of Bileća. Bosnian heavy cavalry is typically credited with winning the battle as they broke the Ottoman ranks and pursued the retreating enemy. Celebrated Ottoman commander Lala Sahin Pasha barely managed to save himself with the small band of his soldiers.

Battle of Kosovo

In 1389, dispatched by his king Tvrtko I, he commanded a Bosnian army contingent as part of Christian coalition that fought alongside Serbian prince Lazar Hrebeljanović at the Battle of Kosovo against the Ottomans. Vuković was one of few commanders who survived the battle. Although the battle is viewed now as tactically inconclusive, at the time the battle was viewed differently - Vuković reported the outcome of the battle as a victory, as the Ottomans suffered heavy losses and were forced to withdraw for a time.

Dispute with Radić Sanković over Konavle

A council was convoked by the king or noblemen who opposed the sale of Konavli by Radič Sanković to Dubrovnik, He and Pavle Radenović later captured Konavli and divided it between themselves. Vlatko later died.

Death and burial

He died in 1392. His nephew Sandalj Hranić succeeded him. Vuković's grave lies marked near the village of Boljuni near Stolac, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inscription on the grave was written in Bosančica: "Ase leži dobri junak i čovjek Vlatko Vuković"