Branko (čelnik)

Branko (Serbian Cyrillic: Бранко; fl. 1306–19) was a Serbian nobleman with the title of čelnik, serving King Stefan Milutin (r. 1282–1321).^[1] He was among the witnesses mentioned in the charter issued to the Ratac Monastery by Milutin in 1306, alongside noblemen kaznac Miroslav and župan Vladislav, holding the title of čelnik.^[2] He is still in this position in an edict dated 1319.^[3] During the reign of Milutin, the title holder was entrusted with the security of property belonging to the Church from the aristocrats, so the holder appeared in the role of a judge or executor of the ruler's decisions, in disputes between the church and the nobility.^[4] At that time the title of čelnik was of a higher rank than župan and stavilac, but lower than kaznac and tepčija, with vojvoda being the supreme title.^[5] It is unclear if there was one or several with that title at the court at that time.^[5] He was preceded by Gradislav Vojšić^[4] and succeeded by Đuraš Ilijić.^[1]