Posljednji kralj: srednjovjekovni narativi o Kraljevini Hrvatskoj i Dalmaciji potkraj 11. stoljeća
The Last King: Medieval Narratives on the Kingdom of Croatia and Dalmatia in the Late 11th Century

Summary/Abstract: Starting from current historical insights into some of the central narrative sources for the study of medieval Croatia, this paper focuses on the Kingdom of Croatia and Dalmatia in the late 11th century, particularly on the identity of the last native king. It establishes a relationship of succession and adaptation, unacknowledged by historiography to date, among medieval histories and narrative sources that provide the most significant testimony to this period and have been repeatedly analysed by historians. The conclusions are based on analysing the construction and structure of narrative in medieval histories, understanding the use of various motifs within them, and recognizing how established images and pieces of information were transmitted and reshaped across different works – and only then also in seeking traces of historical reality within their contents. Applying this type of analytical approach to the events of the late 11th century allows for a more nuanced understanding of the historical situation, King Coloman’s position, and the emergence of the narrative figure of “King Peter.” In a certain sense, “King Peter” serves as an exemplary case for analysing the episodic nature of medieval histories and narrative sources, in which past and present intertwine inseparably within a purposeful, moralizing narrative structure.

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