Vuk Mandušić

Did You Know?

• Mandušić's metre-long sabre is kept at Visovac Monastery.
• On 5 August 1648, Leonardo Foscolo wrote that Mandušić 'avenged the death of five Turks' before dying.
• He died near Zečevo on 31 July 1648 along with twenty soldiers and three or four harambaša.

Early and personal life

Mandušić's birthplace is undetermined but generally considered to be in the Dalmatian Zagora. Localities in the hinterland of modern-day Šibenik-Knin County include Rupe near Skradin, according to oral tradition preserved by Andrija Kačić Miošić, and Petrovo polje. Under the influence of Petar II Petrović-Njegoš's work, additional theories arose: he was from Velestovo and revolted in Kotari, or hailed from Tetovo before settling in Sredska, Kosovo. He adopted his sororal nephew Tadija Vrančić, who later signed himself as Mandušić and succeeded him as commander of the Šibenik uskoks.

Career

During the Cretan War, a solid organization was needed with an officer commanding several harambaša. Mandušić served as capo direttore of the Morlach army, which had fewer than 1,500 fighters. In late February 1648, he entered Venetian Dalmatia with Vlachs of Petrovo polje, fighting for five months. The first information on him dates to February 1648, when he played a great role in the Venetian attack on Drniš and Knin.

In March and May 1648, he took part in the liberation of Klis and Ključ, respectively. On 3 July, Leonardo Foscolo noted his plunder of Ključ and Turkish territory. On 11 July, Foscolo mentioned that a gold medal given to Stjepan S/Šorić in June should be matched for Mandušić, as he was appreciated more than any other in the Krajina. In late July, the new Bosnian Pasha Drviš Skopljak sent his Kiaya-bey Hussein-beg with 4,000 people into Ravni Kotari.

After looting, Hussein returned toward Knin. Foscolo sent Ilija Smiljanić with Kotari Uskoks and Mandušić with Šibenik Uskoks to cut off their retreat. In the conflict near Zečevo on 31 July, Mandušić died fighting, along with twenty soldiers and three or four harambaša. His death was reported by Ilija Smiljanić, Martin Milković, and Matija Mihaljević. His body was buried at the place of death, probably near fort Zvečevo.

Legacy

Vuk Mandušić appears in two 18th-century works: one by Franciscan priest Filip Grabovac and another by Franciscan friar Andrija Kačić Miošić, who described him as a mighty hero praised by Dalmatians and Latins. Croatian historiography often labels him a Croat. He is a celebrated figure in Serbian epic poetry, featuring in poems such as Šeović Osman and Mustajbeg lički i Vuk Mandušić, and notably in The Mountain Wreath by Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. Serbian historiography calls him a Serb. His name was used as a pseudonym by the Split-based Srpski list and by Serbian-Canadian writer Radoje Vukčević. Croatian writer Nikola Pulić authored the 1989 novel Sablja Vuka Mandušića.