Vojin (magnate)

Vojin (died c. 1347) was a Serbian nobleman who held significant lands and influence in the region of Hum (present-day Herzegovina and parts of Montenegro and Dalmatia) during the reign of Stefan Dušan. He is often considered a magnate, owing to his vast holdings and relative independence from the central royal authority.

Vojin's power base was centered around Gacko, and he controlled important trade routes. He initially served under the Serbian kings and played a role in the expansion of the Serbian state southward. However, after the death of Stefan Dečanski, and especially during the reign of Stefan Dušan, Vojin acted with increasing autonomy. He maintained his own military forces and conducted his own diplomacy, often independently of the Serbian court.

Although nominally loyal to Stefan Dušan, Vojin's power was such that he essentially ruled his territories as a semi-independent entity. He supported Dušan's coronation as Emperor (Tsar) in 1346 but continued to wield considerable influence in his own right. His death in around 1347 created a power vacuum in Hum, which was exploited by other regional lords, including Nikola Altomanović. Vojin's rise and influence exemplifies the trend towards decentralization of power within the Serbian Empire during the 14th century.