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The Place of the Family Reflected in the Testaments of Ragusans Who Died in Bulgarian Lands in the 15th Century

Мястото на семейството, отразено в завещанията на дубровничани, намерили смъртта си из българските предели през ХV век


Известия на Института за исторически изследвания, том 41, 2025, с. 434‒452.
Proceedings of Institute for Historical Studies, Vol. 41, 2025, p. 434‒452.
ISSN: 2367-5187 (print), 2815-2913 (online)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.71069/III41.25.KE25

Elena Kostova / Елена Костова

Institute for Historical Studies / Институт за исторически изследвания - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences / Българска академия на науките
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2882-1033


Summary: The testaments of Ragusans who died in Bulgarian lands during the 15th century contain rich and varied information. First of all, they are a source for the development of economic relations, but at the same time they reveal the inner world of the medieval man, concerned about the salvation of his soul and the well-being and material security of his loved ones. The publication focuses on the topic of the role and place of the family mentioned in the sources. The article presents the direct heirs of the testator, while tracing the content and distribution of the inheritance of the deceased Ragusans. The main emphasis is placed on the disposal of cash and the fair settlement of credit-debit relations remaining after the death of the testator. The inheritance of the movable and immovable property remains as it were in the background, although this topic is also adequately reflected in the sources of the era. The testaments reflect the testator’s unconditional care for their loved ones. This in turn is an integral part of the most important purpose it will serve. Namely ‒ the reconciliation with the relatives and the salvation of the soul of medieval man.

Keywords: Dubrovnik (Ragusa), Balkan Peninsula, Bulgarian lands, testaments, heirs, property


The fulltext of this article can be purchased on CEEOL: https://www.ceeol.com/search/journal-detail?id=2000.