How to Pronounce Tvrtko of Bosnia

Meaning and Context

Tvrtko I, born in 1338 and crowned King of Bosnia and Serbia in 1377, stands as the most formidable and transformative monarch in medieval Bosnian history. His reign, which lasted until his death in 1391, marked the zenith of the Bosnian Kingdom's territorial expansion and political influence. Proclaiming himself king on the feast of Saint Stephen, he deliberately linked his lineage to the Nemanjić dynasty of Serbia, thereby legitimizing his rule over a realm that stretched from the Dalmatian coast to the heart of the Balkans. This period under King Tvrtko I is often regarded as Bosnia's golden age, characterized by economic prosperity, strengthened sovereignty, and significant cultural development. His legacy as a medieval ruler and state-builder is central to the historical narrative of the Balkans during the 14th century, a time of complex rivalries with the Hungarian Empire, the rising Ottoman Empire, and regional nobility.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling of the name is "Tvrtko," which is the standard transliteration from the Bosnian Cyrillic and Latin scripts. A common historical Anglicization is "Tvrtko," though it is sometimes encountered in older English texts as "Tvartko" or "Tvrtko," reflecting attempts to phonetically approximate the pronunciation, where the "vrt" forms a consonant cluster. The most frequent typographical errors involve the inversion or omission of letters, resulting in misspellings such as "Tvrtko," "Tvrtko," or "Tvrtko." Additionally, when referencing his royal title, it is crucial to distinguish between "Tvrtko I" (the first king) and later monarchs who bore the same name, such as Tvrtko II, to avoid historical conflation. The numeral is an integral part of the accurate designation.

Example Sentences

Following his coronation in the Mileševa monastery, Tvrtko I embarked on a series of military campaigns that solidified Bosnia's control over key Adriatic ports.

Historians often debate whether Tvrtko of Bosnia could have established a lasting dynasty had his successors maintained his centralized authority.

The court of King Tvrtko I was a notable center of commerce and religious diversity within the medieval Balkans.

Many later Bosnian rulers, such as Tvrtko II, faced immense challenges that contrasted sharply with the stability of the first king's era.

The legacy of Tvrtko I is immortalized in numerous charters and fortresses that dot the landscape of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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