French Influence in the Bay of Kotor at the End of the 18th and the First Years of The 19th Century: The Activities of Mirislav Zanović

Abstract

The paper discusses the activities of Mirislav Zanović, the leader of the pro-French political faction in the Bay of Kotor at the end of the 18th and the first years of the 19th century. This research indicates that the first reliable data on his pro-French orientation date back to the end of 1793. At that time, the general providor of Dalmatia, Alvize Marin, was warned about individuals in Boka, who were suspected of feeling sympathy towards the Revolution and its ideas. In October 1795, Mirislav tried to launch a rebellion, motivated by the ideas of brotherhood and freedom. This revolt was aimed at liberating certain areas on the border from Ottoman servitude. It was quelled, while Mirislav was kept in prison for some time, in Venice. He was released after the French conquered the city and sent to Budva to propagate the ideas of the Revolution and work to win over the local population.
 The paper also discusses its position during the first Austrian (1797–1805), Russian (1806–1807) and French (1807–1813) rule in Boka. Although the Austrian authorities harbored suspicion of Mirislav, he managed to survive thanks to the influence of his father, Count Antun Zanović, who was appointed manager of Budva. Mirislav found himself in the most difficult position during the Russian rule, when he spent some time in prison. He reached the peak of his rise in the political life of Boka during the French rule, when he was appointed to certain administrative positions in Budva. After France lost all illusions about the possibility of the survival of its government in Boka, Mirislav, thanks to good relations with Bishop Petar I Petrović-Njegoš, changed sides in 1813, denying any support to France. In the years that followed, Mirislav was relegated to the background. He spent a short time in prison in Dubrovnik, after which he was released, but was placed under surveillance by the Austrian authorities for the rest of his life.