*Entry* **Helen Nemanji´c (1250–1314)**

**Cedomila Marinkovi´ ˇ c**

> Institute of Ethnography, Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; cedomilamila@gmail.com; Tel.: +381-63-8767-872

**Abstract:** Queen Helen Nemanji´c (1250–Brnjaci near Zubin Potok, February 8, 1314) was a Serbian medieval queen and consort of King Stefan Uroš I (r. 1243–1276), the fifth ruler of the Serbian Nemanide dynasty. She was the mother of the kings Stefan Dragutin and Stefan Uroš II Milutin. Today, she is known as Helen of Anjou (Jelena Anžujska in Serbian) although her real name was most probably Heleni Angelina (Eλ*ε*´νη Aγγελ*ι*´να). She was the founder of the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Gradac as well as four Franciscan abbeys in Kotor, Bar, Ulcinj, and Shkodër. Together with her sons, Kings Stefan Dragutin and Stefan Uroš II Milutin she helped renovation of Benedictine abbey of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus near Shkodër on Boyana river in present-day Albania. After the death of her husband, she ruled Zeta and Travunija until 1306. She was known for her religious tolerance and charitable and educational endeavors. She was elevated to sainthood by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Along with Empress Helen, the wife of Serbian Emperor Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, Queen Helen was the most frequently painted woman of Serbian medieval art. Six of her portraits can be found in the monumental painting ensembles of the Serbian medieval monasteries of Sopo´cani, Gradac, Arilje, Ðurdevi Stupovi (Pillars of St. George), and Graˇ ¯ canica, as well as on two icons and one seal. Queen Helen is also the only female Serbian medieval ruler whose vita was included in the famous collection of the "Lives of Serbian Kings and Archbishops" by Archbishop Danilo II, a prominent church leader, warrior, and writer.

**Keywords:** Helen of Anjou; Nemanide dynasty; Sopo´cani Monastery; Gradac Monastery; Queen Helen's seal; Vatican icon; Graˇcanica Monastery
