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Stanak is the most common name used to refer to the assembly of nobility inmedieval Bosnia. The assembly, in the originalBosančica:Сmɖɴɖк (Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic:Станак), was also known as theRusag (from theHungarian wordorszag, meaning "state" or "nation"[1]),Rusag bosanski,Zbor,Sva Bosna (meaning "Whole of Bosnia") or justBosna, with the officials of theRepublic of Ragusa employing severalLatin terms as well. The term"stanak sve zemlje Bosne", is first attested in the charter ofTvrtko I in 1354.[2][3] Its influence peaked between the 1390s and the 1420s. The Serbian historianSima Ćirković and most other Yugoslav scholars believed that the existence of thestanak proved a unity and feeling of belonging to a Bosnian identity and integrity,[4] but also illustrated weakness of the monarch anddecentralization of the state, as argued by American colleagueJohn Van Antwerp Fine, Jr.[5]
The right to take part in the sessions of the stanak was enjoyed by every Bosnianknez, from magnates to petty lords, collectively known asvlastela, but the ultimate authority belonged to the highest nobility.[6] Thestanak was convoked when required, usually by theruler, who presided over it and led its sessions.[2][6] If male,his wife was allowed to attend, but his children were not.[2] TheBosnian Church clergy, not belonging to thevlastela, were also barred, but influenced decision-making in thestanak through the great lords associated with them.[6] The magnates of the country convoked thestanak themselves when the country experienced greater domestic issues, such as succession crisis or deposition of the ruler, domestic conflicts or wars. It normally took place wherever the monarch held court: inMile,Milodraž,Bobovac,Kraljeva Sutjeska andJajce.[2]
Thestanak enjoyed great power and authority; it deliberated on matters such aselection of the new king or queen andcoronation, foreign policy, sale or cession of territory, contracting and signing treaties with neighboring countries, and military issues.[2][6] Charters issued by monarchs reflected the decisions made by thestanak; as the royal power weakened, that of stanak increased.[2]