Helen of Zadar (Croatian: Jelena) (died 8 October 976), also known as Helen the Glorious (Croatian: Jelena Slavna), was the queen consort of the Kingdom of Croatia, as the wife of King Michael Krešimir II, from 946 to 969, a period which was marked by "peace, order and expeditious growth". She was the regent of Croatia after the death of her spouse during the minority of her son Stephen Držislav of Croatia, and ruled from 969 until 976.
Helen of Zadar
Bust of queen Helen by sculptor Ivan Mirković, made for thousandth anniversary of her death.
She is said to have originated from the old patrician family Madi from Zadar. She married Michael Krešimir II, and became queen consort in 946.
She became the queen dowager of Croatia after the death of her husband in 969. However, since her husband was succeeded by their son who was a minor, she also became the regent of Croatia on behalf of her son. As such, she ruled until her own death.
Regencyedit
"Building of a church on the island" by Vjekoslav Paraća, Queen Helen is shown in the centre
Queen Helen built the churches of St Stephen and St. Mary in Solin. The atrium of the St Stephen latter became the Mausoleum of Croatian Kings and is preserved to the present day. Helen was also known by her subjects as "Mother of the Kingdom and protectress of orphans and widows". Jelena played a central role in uniting Croatian and Latin elements within the Kingdom thus laying the groundwork for her son, Stephen Držislav, to assume sovereignty over the Dalmatian thema (which was under nominal Byzantine rule).
Epitaphedit
Helen died in October 976 and is buried next to her husband in St Mary's. The royal inscription on her sarcophagus was an epitaph discovered by archaeologists. The epitaph, which shed light on the genealogy of early Croatian rulers, was discovered by Don Frane Bulić on 28 August 1898. The epitaph also shows that older rulers, prior to her son Stephen Držislav, bore the title of kings. The English translation of the epitaph is:
In this grave rests Helen the Glorious, wife of King Michael, mother of King Stephen. She ruled/ brought peace to the Kingdom. On the 8th day of October 976 from the incarnation of Our Lord..... she was buried here. During her life as Queen she was also mother of orphans and protectress of widows. May those who look here say: God have mercy upon her soul.[1]
Referencesedit
^. Archived from the original on 2010-02-15. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
helen, zadar, croatian, jelena, died, october, also, known, helen, glorious, croatian, jelena, slavna, queen, consort, kingdom, croatia, wife, king, michael, krešimir, from, period, which, marked, peace, order, expeditious, growth, regent, croatia, after, deat. Helen of Zadar Croatian Jelena died 8 October 976 also known as Helen the Glorious Croatian Jelena Slavna was the queen consort of the Kingdom of Croatia as the wife of King Michael Kresimir II from 946 to 969 a period which was marked by peace order and expeditious growth She was the regent of Croatia after the death of her spouse during the minority of her son Stephen Drzislav of Croatia and ruled from 969 until 976 Helen of ZadarBust of queen Helen by sculptor Ivan Mirkovic made for thousandth anniversary of her death Regent of CroatiaTenure969 976Queen consort of CroatiaTenure946 969Coronation946BornZadarDied8 October 976BurialChurch of St Mary SolinSpouseMichael Kresimir IIHouseTrpimirovic by marriage Madi by birth Contents 1 Life 1 1 Regency 1 2 Epitaph 2 References 3 External linksLife editShe is said to have originated from the old patrician family Madi from Zadar She married Michael Kresimir II and became queen consort in 946 She became the queen dowager of Croatia after the death of her husband in 969 However since her husband was succeeded by their son who was a minor she also became the regent of Croatia on behalf of her son As such she ruled until her own death Regency edit nbsp Building of a church on the island by Vjekoslav Paraca Queen Helen is shown in the centreQueen Helen built the churches of St Stephen and St Mary in Solin The atrium of the St Stephen latter became the Mausoleum of Croatian Kings and is preserved to the present day Helen was also known by her subjects as Mother of the Kingdom and protectress of orphans and widows Jelena played a central role in uniting Croatian and Latin elements within the Kingdom thus laying the groundwork for her son Stephen Drzislav to assume sovereignty over the Dalmatian thema which was under nominal Byzantine rule Epitaph edit Helen died in October 976 and is buried next to her husband in St Mary s The royal inscription on her sarcophagus was an epitaph discovered by archaeologists The epitaph which shed light on the genealogy of early Croatian rulers was discovered by Don Frane Bulic on 28 August 1898 The epitaph also shows that older rulers prior to her son Stephen Drzislav bore the title of kings The English translation of the epitaph is In this grave rests Helen the Glorious wife of King Michael mother of King Stephen She ruled brought peace to the Kingdom On the 8th day of October 976 from the incarnation of Our Lord she was buried here During her life as Queen she was also mother of orphans and protectress of widows May those who look here say God have mercy upon her soul 1 References edit Muzej Hrvatskih arheoloskih spomenika Sarkofag kraljice Jelene Archived from the original on 2010 02 15 Retrieved 2009 11 24 External links edithttp members tripod com royalcroatia kresimir2 htm Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Helen of Zadar amp oldid 1194168148, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
