SCHIAVONI-SCHIAVONE-SCLAVON-ESCLAVON-SLAVONIAN

Adam S. Eterovich CFU 900

Croatia and Croatians were known in the West and New World as Schiavoni, Schiavone, Schiavona, Sclavons, Esclavon and Slavonian for over 1000 years; those from Dubrovnik were known as Ragusans. The Venetian-Italians called their Dalmatian and Istrian subjects Schiavoni or Slavonians so that they would not develope nationalistic feelings as Croatians. Croato and Croati in Italian means Croatian.

Now that Croatia is again an independent nation-state, Croatians should take claim to all the misidentified individuals and places in the West and New World called Schiavoni, Sclavons, Esclavons and Slavonians as all these terms mean a Croatian or Croatia. The identification has nothing to do with Slavonia in Croatia as applied or used in the West. Slavs or Slavic refers to all groups of that race.

Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia are geographical areas of Croatia. The ancient Croatian Kingdom included Dalmatia, Istria, Slavonia, Dubrovnik, Illyria and Croatia Proper. The new Croatian flag reflects these divisions. At the fall of Bosnia to the Ottoman Turk in the 1400’s, Croatia lost Bosnia and Hercegovina and later, Vojvodina and the Boka Kotor. Dubrovnik was an independent Croatian Republic for over 1000 years.

Croatians in Venice

From the earliest days of the Republic, Venice had trade links with the coastal regions of “Schiavonia” (Dalmatia) across the Adriatic. By 1420 Venetian rule was permanently established in Dalmatia down to but not including the Republic of Dubrovnik, and many of the “Schiavoni” came to live in Venice. By the mid 15th Century the Schiavoni colony had grown considerably and the State gave permission for them to found a confraternity. The colony was well established in the Castello District of Venice.

Castello District of Venice

In the Castello District there is the the dock next to Piazza San Marco-the Riva degli Schiavoni (Croatian-Dalmatians) and the Schola Degli Schiavoni or Guild Hall of the Slavonians that is today a museum. This Guild Hall was the meeting place of Dalmatian-Venetian merchants, artisans and mariners. Renaissance paintings hang in the hall, including those by Carpaccio the Istrian. Istria is in Croatia.

Marco Polo is buried in San Lorenzo church in the Castello District. During refurbishment in 1592, however, his sarcophagus disappeared and a number of paintings 'dispersed'. The church was built on the foundations of two earlier churches, dating from 850 and the late 12th Century. Marco Polo is Croatian and was born on the Island of Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia. See: Eterovich, Adam S. Marco Polo Croatian Adventurer. San Carlos. Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1987.

John Cabot: On the corner of the Rio di Sant'Anna and Riva dei Sette Matiri in the Castello District is the house of the Cabot family, the family of navigators who discovered North America while looking for Cathay in the service of the English King. Cabot actually had two houses in the Castello; he was not born in Venice, but naturalized as he had lived in the Territories of Venice. I believe he was from Dalmatia. See: Tassini, G. Curiosite Veneziane. Venice, 1990. The author states that the Cabot's lived in the Castello District of Venice and goes on to say that in the 15th and 16th century this was the Croatian quarter of Venice.

Guild Hall of the Slavonians--Scuola di S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni

The scuola or fraternity in the Castello was the guildhall of the Dalmatian-Croatians (Slavonians-Schiavoni) who ran it, among other purposes, as a kind of merchants and seamen’s institute for the benefit of visiting Dalmatians. The Venetian scuole were not designed for merriments and banquetings as the halls belonging to the Livery Companies of London were, but rather devotion and religion. Both went in for good works, though (the London Companies still do, together with the merriments and banquetings), and the Dalmatians, who had done well out of their trading in Venice, commissioned Carpaccio to decorate their hall for them (Carpaccio was Istrian). Around 1501-02 Carpaccio received a commission to create a group of canvases for the headquarters of the confraternity, the Scuola degli Schiavoni; the brotherhood was given this name because its members were Dalmatians, either resident in Venice or merchants, sailors and artisans working there. Built after the Council of Ten passed the legislation governing the institution of confraternities in 1431, on a piece of land belonging to the monasteries of the Hospitalers near the Hospital of Santa Caterina and the church of San Giovanni del Tempio, the building still houses Carpaccio's paintings illustrating episodes from the life of the confraternity's patron saints, Jerome, George and Triphun. In 1551, when the building was restored, the paintings were transferred from the first floor hall to the ground floor. There are also two paintings that are not part of this cycle, the Agony in the Garden and the Calling of Matthew, dated 1502. The seven paintings are: Vision of St Augustine; St Jerome and the Lion; Funeral of St Jerome; St George and the Dragon; Triumph of St George; Baptism of the Selenites; Daughter of Emperor Gordian Exorcised by St Triphun. Their patron saint is St. George of dragon-slaying fame, and so much of their art depicts his exploits. His most famous deed is featured in this sculpture over the entryway. Inside, there is a famous painted sequence by Carpaccio, showing events in the lives of Sts. George, Jerome and Trifon. While the relief of St. George dates from the mid-16th century, it is surmounted by a relief of Sts. John the Baptist and Catherine that dates from the mid-14th century.

Riva degli Schiavoni-Dock of the Slavonians

The Riva degli Schiavoni is next to the plaza of San Marco in Venice. The sweeping promenade that forms the southern quayside of Castello was named after the traders from Dalmatia (Schiavonia) who used to moor their boats and barges here. For those who arrive in Venice by water, this long spectacular introduction to the charms of the city. At its western end, close to Piazza San Marco, the broad promenade teems during the day. The Riva degli Schiavoni has always been busy with boats. To this day you will find carved into the stone on the dock: Island of Brac, Hvar and other Dalmatian towns and islands. The Schiavoni were the Slavonians, or Dalmatians-Croatians (hence the Latin title), who traded with Venice, parts of their country being under Venetian domination for long periods. A well known historic drawing of the Riva degli Schiavoni listed it as: Prospectus a Columna S. Marci ad Ripam Dalmatarum vulgo de Schiavoni.

The Schiavona Sword-- A 17th century Masterpiece

The Schiavona came from the 16th century sword of the Venetian Doge guard which largely consisted of Dalmatian-Croatian Slavonians (Schiavoni). The Schiavona is one of the most beautiful of all the basket-hilt swords. The Schiavona proved to be such an effective and attractive sword that it was soon in use all throughout Europe. Interestingly enough, in Drummond's famous book, "Ancient Scottish Weapons", there are several Schiavonas. This sword combined the full hand protection of a deep basket hilt made up of a number of connecting iron bars, and a very efficient blade that allowed both cut and thrust. During the 17th century, due to the trade with northern Italy, the “Schiavona” won a wide popularity in other European armies as well. Fitted with a long blade, it became the favorite sword of the heavy cavalry. It is also a magnificently well balanced and efficient soldier’s sword which certainly deserved its wide popularity among the 17th century cavalry.

Lord Stefan d'Gascon: Living in the later half of the 16th Century in London. Ex-mercenary from a number of large and small armies. Wandered the continent, [generally staying out of France.] Visited the Far East for a time while serving as a personal guard. One time city guard for the Dodge of Venice, where he developed a liking for the Schiavonia. [Never did master the language though.]  Schiavonia came in handy while  traversing the Sulu Sea and the Sea of Japan in 1549 with Father Francis Xavier’s ship.   Spent two years in the Japans with Fathers’ Francis, Cosme de Torres and Juan Fernandz.  Born of English stock in the Armagnac region of Gascony, near Auch. See Wagner, E. , Cut and Thrust Weapons, Hamlyn, UK (1969). Schiavona.

Schiavoni--Croatians in England-1491

Chapel and Cemetery: In 1893 at North Stoneham, England. a stone slab was uncovered under a boarded floor near the choir stall in the church of North Stoneham. The stone of a bluish color. measures 6 feet 8 inches bv 3 feet 8 inches. In the center are the Arms of a two-headed eagle and at the four comers the emblems of St. Matthew St. Luke, St. Mark and St. John. Carved around the edge of the stone is "The Guild of the Slavonians in the year 1491." In Venetian -Italian the stone stated. " De La Schola de Sclavoni Ano Dni 1491." Venetian State Fleets first started annual trading visits to Southampton, England and Flanders, Holland in 1317. Their Chapel of St. Nicholas and cemetery, patron of sailors, was at Southampton and records indicated the removal of the Chapel and tombstone to North Stoneham because of destruction in the 16th century. Dalmatians had a Fraternity in London during the 1580’s. See: Eterovich, Adam S. “Croatian Tomb and Chapel in England, 1491.” Zajednicar, June 1, 1983.

Schiavoni on the Rio De la Plata with Cabot 1522

Three ships participated in the voyage to South America, the “Capitana”, Santa Maria de la Concepcion, Santa Maria del Espinar and the La Trinidad. There is a good possibility that up to twenty percent of the Mariners were Croatian. They were listed as Araguz, Esclavon (Slavonian) or Venetian. In documents of this voyage we find for Ragusa (Dubrovnik): Aranguren, Aragujo, Araguz Ragoza. These from Ragusa were later indentified as natives of Hungary.

Bozo de Araguz: Bozo de Araguz means Christian or Chris of Ragusa (Dubrovnik). This is the first and earliest recording of a Croatian name, Bozo, found in the New World. His first and last name appears in documents written in various ways: Bozo de Raguza, Bojo de Aragujo etc. He was born in Araguz Hungary in 1503-1504 and came aboard the “Capitana” (Santa Maria de la Concepcion) as a mariner or sailor. He returned to Spain in 1530 and was placed under court protection for testimony. He was in Madrid. He could not write.

Stephen de Lezna- Slavonian ( Schiavone): Lezna is Lesina in Italian or in Croatian, the Island of Hvar in Dalmatia or Stjepan Hvaranin. Stephen of Lezna, Slavonian (Esclavon), according to some and others was a native of Island of Lezna (Hvar), that is within the Republic of Venice, son of Miguel Comarich and Mrs. Bona, his wife. He was a sailor on the ship Trinidad and with his countrymen, “Italians”, Brine-Brinje and Cazana-Kazana, were associated with a “Rancho”. He assisted in meeting in San Salvador that had decided to return to Spain on the Trinidad. He also had a slave from San Vincente and were amongst those that “ demanded” their pay.

Stephen de Arva-Esclavon: Arba would be Arbe in Italian or in Croatian the Island of Rab. There is some question as to wether Stephen Lezna is the same person (we believe that we have two individuals). Stephen de Arva was a companion of John Cabot and there is some question of whether Stephen of Lezna is the same person.

Matias Mafrolo- Slavonian: The ship Trinidad was on Magellan’s Voyage of Circumnavigation,1519-1522. Was our Slavonian (Croatian) also with Magellan as a ship’s officer ? He was called second Mate Matias which position he held on the ship Trinidad. Some individuals in the army said he was a Slavonian (Esclavon). It seems Mafrolo did not go back to Spain as his orders were to go into the interior on a mission of discovery and when the army returned to Castilla, he did not return. Ponce and others had difficulty with their wages and stated that Mafrolo was still up in the River of Solis ( Rio de la Plata). The footnote refers to Manfra who was with Columbus. Was Mafra Mafrolo or a mistake? See: Eterovich, Adam S. Croatia in the New World: Sebastian Cabot's Voyage to the Rio De La Plata, 1526-1530. San Carlos, Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1990. Croatian officers and mariners with Cabot.

Slavonians-Dalmatia in the New World-Verrazano Voyages of 1523

New England was first called New Dalmatia. In a book by Jacques Habert on the voyages of Verrazano in French, a chapter heading is entitled: “La Dalmatie Da Nouveau Monde”. A book by Carlos Pazzini in Italian on the adventures of Verrazano we have : “ La Dalmazia Del Nuovo Mondo”. The American Scenic and Historical Society in a description of the American coast also has a heading: “Dalmatia of the New World”. B.F. DeCosta in his book on Verrazano in 1880 states: “Again, in speaking of the resemblance of a part of the American coast to the shores of the Adriatic, the Carli version reads, ‘the Adriatic gulf near Illyria and Dalmatia’, while Ramusio version says ‘Sclavonia and Dalmatia’. Scythia was included in Tartary, and Illyria was inhabited by Sclavonians, who were widely distributed. “The Sclavonians were spread far and wide, but the true country of Sclavonia formed a part of Hungary then as now. It is depicted on Verrazano’s map, and is not represented as extending to the coast. Illyria was called Slavonia, only because occupied by Slav population.” See: Eterovich, Adam S. Croatia in the New World: The Verrazano Voyages to America and Canada, 1523-1524. San Carlos, Calif.: Ragusan Press, 1990. New England was first named New Dalmatia

Sclavonia in Canada, 1604-1618

Master Jacques, native of Sclavonia, was a miner with Champlain in Canada. See Grant, W. L. Voyages of Samuel de Champlain, 1604-1618. New York: Charles Scribner, 1907.

La Schiavona-The Dalmatian Woman

Portrait of a Lady ('La Schiavona') about 1511, Master Painter Titian, 1487-1576. The painting, known by the 17th century as 'La Schiavona' (The Dalmatian woman), must date from 1510. The initials T.V. on the parapet probably stand for Tiziano Vecellio. The raised portion of the parapet is a revision, and drapery originally painted there now shows through it. The profile relief, inspired by those on antique cameos, seems to be of the same sitter.

Andrea Schiavone

Andrea Schiavone 1515-1563: “Italian” master painter and etcher (original name Andrea Medulic-Mendolla). His nickname "Schiavone" means Slavonian, reflecting the fact that he came from Zara-Zadar, Dalmatia (then under Venetian jurisdiction). He worked mainly in Venice, where he was on friendly terms with Titian (who along with Parmigianino was one of the main influences on his style). His most characteristic works were small-scale religious or mythological scenes for private patrons in a vigorous, painterly style.

The Croatian Language-Sclavons

In 1555 the first three English books about America were published, (1511-1555) . The books included the writings of Sebastian Cabot, Pietro Matire, Sebastian Munster and others. An inquiry was made of the Austrian and Spanish Crowns about Moscow in Russia, John Faber Wrote:

Page 290 "Theyr language agreeth much with the toonge of the Bohemians, CROATIANS, and SCLAVONS: so that the Sclavon dooth playnly understande the Moscovite, although the Moscovian toonge be a more rude and harde phrase of speach. The historiographers wryte that the Sclavons toonge the name of the confusion whiche was in Babell in the tyme of that stowt hunter Nemroth of whome mention is made in the Genesis. But I cannot enowgh marveyle at this thing, that betwene DALMATIA (now cauled Sclavonia) and Moscovia, both the Pannonies are situate, yet this notwithstandynge, the Hungarians toonge nothynge agreeth with the Moscovites. Wherby wee may conjecture that these nations were sumtymes divided by legions, and that they came owt of DALMATIA thyther ' whiche thynge also Volateranus affirmeth, sayinge that the language of the Ruthenians (whiche are the Moscovites) is Semi-dalmatica (that is) halfe Sclavone. Howe so ever it bee, this is certyne that the Bohemians, CROATIANS, SCLAVONS, and Moscovites, agree in language as wee perceaved by the interpretours which yowre Majestie had then in yowre courte. For whereas the sayde interpretours were borne amonge the CROATIANS and SCLAVONS and none of them had ever byn in Moscovia, or beefore that tyme had any conversation with them, yet dyd they well understande the ambassadours woordes."

Page 315 "Besyde the bookes that they have of the ancient Greeke doctours, they have also the commentaries and homelies of saynt Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregorie, translated into the Illirian or SLAVON tounge which agreeth with theyrs. For they use bothe the SLAVON tounge and letters, as do also the SCLAVONS, Dalmates, Bohemes, Pollones, and Lithuanes. This tounge is spredde further then any other at this day For it is familyar at Constantinople in the courte of the Emperours of the Turkes: and was of late harde in Egypte amonge the Mamalukes in the courte of the Soltane of Alcayre otherwyse cauled Memphis or Babilon in Egipte. " See: Arber, Edward Ed. The First Three English Books on America, 1511-1555. London, 1555. Croatian spoken in Istanbul at the court of the Turk and in Egypt.

Catholic Mass in the Slavonic

The Holy Mass was celebrated in the Latin language in the entire West and also in a few places in the East. It may, in fact, be called the vernacular language of the Western Church at one time. Slavonic - Mass is said in this language by the Catholics of Istria, Liburnia, and the maritime parts of ancient Dalmatia. This is all in Croatia. It is in fact the Liturgical language of all in union with Rome who belong to the Slavonic nations. This privilege the Slavonians first received from Pope Adrian II in the Ninth century, and it was confirmed by Pope John VIII., Adrian's immediate successor. This latter Pontiff, in renewing the grant, made it a condition that the Holy Gospel, on account of its superiority over the other parts of the Mass, should be first read in Latin, and after that in Slavonic. In A.D. 1248 Pope Innocent IV acquiesced in all these concessions of his predecessors, as also did Pope Benedict in A.D. 1740; so that at the present day Mass is said in Slavonic by quite a large body of Catholics. See: Aneed, Anthony J. A Brief History of the Catholic Church of St. George in Milwakee, Wisconsin and a Sketch of the Eastern Church. Milwaukee, 1919.  

Pope Sixtus V 1585-1590--The First Croatian Pope

Pope Sixtus V was a decendant of a Dalmatian-Croatian family that fled to Italy as many others had to escape the Turks during the 15th century. His family settled at Montalto in the Marches near the Adriatic Sea. They later moved to Grottammare and the Pope was born on December 13, 1520 as Felice Peretti. He was the son of a farm worker and became a Franciscan friar. He is listed in all Italian biographies as Italian. He was responsible for the present Pope’s apartments in the Vatican, the Vatican Library, the Lateran Palace, the Spanish Steps, he placed the obelisk from the Circus Maximus in the middle of St Peter’s Square. He completed the gigantic cupola of St Peter’s basilica. He organized the administration of the Church-State, eliminated bandits, and reformed church institutions. He also organized the Vatican Press and organized the Vatican Navy. He built the Church of St Jerome with the proviso that the priests should be of Croatian origin. He created a Chapter in the church which later became an academic college for Croatians. In a Cambridge History they mention he is from Illyria and that he erected the church and hospice of San Girolamo degli Schiavoni (Croatians-Slavonians). In The Life and Times of Sixtus V it states he did not forget his Slavonian origin and that other Slavonian refugees founded that miserable quarter called Schiavonia in Rome. In the book Elizabeth and Sixtus V, he published the Bull of Excommunication against Queen Elizabeth of England. See: Eterovich, Adam S. Croatian Popes and Saints and the Croatian Checkered Arms. San Carlos: Ragusan Press, 1998. Contains all forms of family and state arms with the Croatian checkered arms. Thirteen Popes had similar Arms.

Slavonians in America

The writer of this paper thought he was a Slavonian, out here in San Francisco, California, until he was 21 years old. All the old Croatian societies in North and South America were called Slavonian. The first and oldest Croatian society was the Slavonian Illyric Society of San Francisco, organized in 1857; the Slavonian Society of New Orleans, Louisiana organized in 1873; Slavonians in Biloxi, Mississippi organized in the 1890’s as did the Slavonian Societies of San Jose, Amador, Sacramento, Watsonville and Los Angeles, California. The same organization in the 1800’s as “Slavonian” happened in Bolivia, Uraguay, Peru and Chile in South America. The only dinasaurs left still called Slavonian are the societies in San Francisco and San Jose, California. Change is not a political question, but one of tradition. Many of the 3rd to 6th generation in the South and West of America still call themselves Slavonians. During this generation, most will change and identify as Croatian or disappear.

Schiavons Family Association

Rene Teissier is the organizer of the Schiavons Family Association and here is their opinion of their origins: There's one thing for sure we all originate from Veneto (Venice) in a recent past ( we come from “Slavony” before). All the Schiavons I've contacted, in France, Canada, Brazil and USA have one thing in common : a Venetian ancestor. According to a public statistic compilation, the name Schiavon is very rare around the world. The largest group of Schiavon is located north of Italy, with 2500 families. Following in order are France (Haute Garonne and Provence), Brazil (south), the USA (Florida and California), Australia (New South Wales), Canada (Quebec and British Colombia) and Switzerland (Geneva). All these locations are home to at least 50 families each. I have the list of all these people, as well as their addresses and zip codes, a total of approximately 2800 names. I've concluded that most of the Schiavons prefer warm places  Except for a few braves and me who chose Canada and its harsh winters. The Veneto, north of Italy, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, the nest which gave birth to the arts, and gave us the Schiavons. The main goal of this page is to reunite, the Internet way, the descendants of all related families, to gather information concerning the Schiavon's genealogy and try to find the common ancestor for the related parallel lineage. I had the chance to find one of my father's cousin (first degree), and since, they've developed a new friendship. I have also exchange correspondence with a nice young woman from Brazil, by the name of Schiavon. I also contacted people from Montreal, Italy and also a Californian citizen. I find all this very fascinating. Join us!  I ask all Schiavons to communicate with me and send their ancestry. If you have or not a link with any of the families cited herein, join the Schiavons at the Forum.

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