First churches built on the site of Kapitul, the monastery of Saint Bartholomew, and one on the northernmost plateau of the Spas hill.[2] Five churches in nearby Biskupija are constructed during the 9th and 10th centuries.
965
Knin first mentioned as a fortified town, and the centre of the Knin županija, with a župan (count) at its head
Inscription of Držislav from 10th century found in Kapitul
988
The area of Kapitul saw further development during the reign of Stephen Držislav of Croatia by one of his sons, possibly Svetoslav, who held the office of Duke of Croatia
1040
At the petition of the Kings of Croatia, Church of Saint Mary in the nearby royal village in Biskupija becomes the seat of the Bishop of the Croats, a member of the royal court
Croatian dignitary, 11th century, Biskupija near Knin
1076-87
Primary residence of King Demetrius Zvonimir, effectively becoming the capital of Croatia. Royal house or palace is first mentioned (villa regali).[3]
1089
According to legend, Zvonimir is murdered by the basillica of Saint Cecilia in the nearby village Biskupija. He was reported to have been buried in the church of Saint Bartholomew.
1096
Petar Svačić departs from Knin to meet the Hungarians in battle, the city together with the rest of the country comes into the hands of king Coloman
11th-12th century stone fragment from the Church of Saint Bartholomew in Kapitul next to Knin, representing a mixture of Glagolitic and Cyrillic scripts
c.1102
Parish church of Saint Stephen the King constructed (estimation)
1175
Bishop of the Croats moves seat to Knin, establishing the Bishopric of Knin
Construction of the Knin Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew (on the site of the former royal monastery), begins in Kapitul, as instigated by provost Dobroslav, who was also the son of the Duke of Knin. Its location was mentioned in later sources as "near the latin gates" (ante portam latinam).[4]
1261
The city is visited by Queen Maria Laskarina, who convenes an assembly of Croatian nobles in the Knin Castle for the recognition of her son as the next Duke of Croatia.
1264
First judical function in the city is mentioned, a dispute between two citizens of Zadar, overseen by the ban of Croatia
1272-4
Knin Cathedral consecrated during the tenure of bishop Nicholas
1270s
First mention of the main square (forum), where the market frequently operated. It was attended both by local merchants, and those from Slavonia and the Dalmatian cities.[4]
c. 1301
Following a dynastic fragmentation in the monarchy, city comes under the rule of the Šubić clan
Mladen II Šubić arrives in Knin, and is captured and imprisoned there by Charles I of Hungary, who then departs with him to Hungary.
Former Šubić court member and voivode, Ivan Nelipić uses the opportunity to seize Knin from the royal forces, assuming the title "Duke of Knin". (1322-1344)
Royal forces commanded by the Slavonian bans and ordered by the king to attack Nelipić are successfully routed by him on two occassions in the Knin area.
Knin Castle, medieval remnants of the central parts
1324
May, 7: George II Šubić of Bribir, together with Bajamonte Tiepolo and other nobles sets camp in Topolje outside Knin walls, as a part of his millitary efforts against Ivan Nelipić. While waiting for the forces of Frankopan, they were ambushed and defeated by Ivan Nelipić, which led to their imprisonment in the Knin Castle
1344
Ivan Nelipić dies, and is succeeded by his widow Ladislava Kurjaković and her underage son in Knin
September: Ban of Slavonia, Nicholas, attempts to storm Knin with 4000 troops but fails because the city's fortifications were "too tall and too strong"
1345
March: Ladislava Kurjaković signs an alliance with the Republic of Venice in the main hall of the palace in the Knin Castle, enforcing customs on imports in the city
June 23: The city is ceded to Louis I of Hungary, after 10,000 royalist troops, and further 30,000 approaching prompted Ladislava Kurjaković to negotiate
1368
Oldest records of an annual St. Bartholomew's day trade fair, described as one of the largest in Croatia.[4]
1360s
Supreme judical body of all of Croatia is first mentioned on the castle grounds (Stol Tninski)
1365
Cathedral goes though repairs, houses and baths in the Knin's castle complex are also going through repair on the orders of the castellan
1388
The city is siezed by Bosnian king Tvrtko I, the newly appointed Bishop of Knin, Mihajlo, became the king's chancellor. It was beseiged by the armies of King Sigismund in 1390, and is returned to him in 1393
1396
Sigismund spends a month in Knin to consolidate his holdings in Dalmatia and Croatia, issuing various edicts with his ban Nikola Gorjanski
City is the centre of "Union and Brotherhood of the Croats" (Latin: unio et fraternitas Croatorum), a congregation of Croatian nobles formed by 12 counties of Croatia in order to "preserve the fame and old customs of the Croatian Kingdom".
1460
First mention of Franciscans, located in the church and monastery of Saint Mary. Other sacral buildings, such as the Church of the Holy Spirit are mentioned.
1468
First Ottoman raid undertaken aganst the city, a franciscan monastery was destroyed as a result
1487
Bishop's palace mentioned
1488
A dispute emerged between the citizens and the bishop regarding the election of a new pastor to the parish church of Saint Stephen lasting for several years. After the interference of the pope, the bishop's candidate (Tomo Radović) was chosen, and the elected candidate Pavao Potačič, eventually comitted suicide. According to Daniele Farlati, the case grew so large it comprised 450 pages.[5]
Remnants of Knin Cathedral and Castle
1493
First siege of the city by the Ottomans was undertaken, the nobility located in the castle underetimated the Ottoman forces and were slaughtered as they went out to meet them in battle
Three Ottoman spies were captured by Viceban Marčinko; they were carrying vestments to sell to the local market, but their true intention was to gather intel on Zadar and its surroundings.
May: An Ottoman raid party numbering 2600 cavalry captures 50 people and 3000 livestock below Knin.
1504
In the eminent Ottoman danger, the nobility of the surrounding lands start emigrating to Knin.
Funds were provided by the Hungarian Diet for the repair of the damaged parts of the burg, for strengthening of both Kapitul and the rest of the city, and for digging an artificial lake. (4000 forints) Further funds were provided for the upkeep of guards (400 forints), the support to the burg (200 forints), bishop (250 forints), and the nobility which settled in Knin (400 forints).
1505
The plague was rampant in Knin and throughout whole of Dalmatia, halving its population
1513
January: Ottomans besiege Knin, the siege is lifted by Viceban of Slavonia Balthazar Baćan.
1514
February: An Ottoman force numbering 10,000 troops lays another siege to the city. The forces fail to take the castle, but burn the remaining settlement outside its walls.
1522
The final siege, led by Gazi Husrev-beg, numbered 25,000 troops with a considerable number of artillery was laid in early May. The attackers started shelling the remaining castle day and night until its defender Mihael Vojković from Klokoč, handed the castle over in exchange for the evacuation of his men.
Kingdom of Hungary
House of Nelipić
Republic of Venice
Stjepan Kotromanić of Bosnia (WIA)
Nicholas Bannfy of Slavonia
