Đurađ Đurašević

Đurađ and his brother Aleksa (Lješ) were lords of the territory of Paštrovići (Luštica and hills above Kotor and Budva) during the reign of Balša III.^[2] The Đurašević family was a branch of the Kalođurđević family.^[3] Its members held the most distinct positions in the court of Balša III.^[4] Đurađ was the head of the family.^[5] Đurađ was one of the witnesses listed in the charter issued by Balša III when he founded a church of the Praskvica Monastery in 1413. Đurađ's son and Aleksa Paštrović, an envoy of Sandalj Hranić, were also present.^[6] Đurašević was elected as a witness and maybe the executor of the charter of Balša III because at that time he ruled over Paštrovići, Luštica and the hills above Kotor and Budva.^[7]

After the death of Balša III they refused Venetian invitations to switch sides and to accept Venetian suzerainty remaining loyal to the new lord of Zeta, Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarević.^[8] They controlled 10 salt ponds in Grbalj valley near Kotor.^[9] Đurađ and his brother Aleksa built the Kom Monastery in the period between 1415 and 1427, when Upper Zeta was held by the Crnojevići.^[10]

On 10 March 1420 Venetians promised to appoint Đurađ and his brother Aleksa (Lješ) as governors of Budva.^[11]

He married Busha Zaharia the daughter of Albanian nobleman Koja Zaharia of the Zaharia family. He had four sons: Đurašin Đurašević, Gojčin Crnojević, Stefan (Stefanica) Crnojević and fourth son with unknown name and historical role.^[12]