Radul of Riđani

Radul of Riđani (Serbian: Радул из Риђана; fl. 1650–66) was a Serbian Orthodox priest and chieftain (knez) of Riđani, a tribe in Old Herzegovina (later annexed by the Principality of Montenegro).[2] He was also influential among the Banjani and Nikšići tribes.[3]

Radul hailed from the tribe of Riđani (at the time part of the Sanjak of Herzegovina), and was a priest in Dvrsno (now Dragalj, in Krivošije).[4] In the spring of 1650 the Riđani, including Radul, suffered from their neighbours in the Bay of Kotor, namely from the Orahovčani and Dobroćani and Đuro Vučinić.[5]

Radul used to write letters to the authorities of Perast to inform them about the preparations of Ottoman forces for the Battle of Perast.[4] Thanks to Radul Perast authorities were able to hide civilians into shelters before the battle. Fourteen letters written by Radul are preserved in contemporary archives.[5]

In one of his letters written in 1661 to Vicko Mažarović, captain of Perast, Radul presented information about Ali Paša Čengić and his intention to build a new town (modern-day Kolašin in Montenegro).[2] In 1666 Jusuf-aga Rizvanagić wrote to Bolizza, Venetian provveditore of Kotor, that Radul will carry their letters because he was the only secure person for this task.[6]