The Story Of Vice Bune

With the discovery of America, the world of trade shifted toward western sea routes. What was once primarily the Mediterranean became, due to Turkish conquests, redirected toward the Atlantic. The Republic of Dubrovnik leveraged its role as a trading link between East and West, directing commerce in all possible directions and capacities.

The people of Dubrovnik, including those from Lopud and Slano, focused on benefiting from their blessed environment, even though they were always surrounded by hostile and envious powers. For many Dubrovnik sailors, choosing a life path meant leaving their homeland for foreign lands. Spain and its colonies were destinations for many Dubrovnik citizens—from the era of great discoveries to direct service in the Spanish navy.

Dedication and longevity in service often led to promotions, awards, and honors, with well-known members of the Ohmučević, Dolistić, Tasovčić, Mažibradić, and Martolosić families, among others, earning distinction.

Serafin Razzi noted that the island of Lopud had 30 churches and chapels and was “well populated, but more by women than men, as many men perished in shipwrecks, some were captured by the Turks, and others died while sailing.”

The Bune family of seafarers produced Vice’s father, Petar Vlahov Bune, a ship captain and commander. Vice’s mother, Pere, received some funds from Petar Ivelje Ohmučević. Despite the dangers, the prospects of transoceanic voyages attracted young Vice Bune, born in 1559 on Lopud.

As a trusted and diplomatically skilled individual, he earned the confidence of Spanish kings Philip II and Philip III, who assigned him to duties in Belgium and overseas territories. F. M. Appendini recorded that during his time in Mexico, the Spanish royal court appointed him briefly as the viceroy of Mexico, after he had previously been “occupied with other important matters” (“occupato in altri affari di alta importanza”). Thus, it was said of “Vicko Bune, whose bravery, wisdom, and substantial services to the Spanish court are beyond doubt.”

Returning to Europe from Mexico, Vice sailed in a convoy of ships (“conservi”) for better protection against pirates. A storm dispersed the ships, making them easy prey. Two large Moroccan pirate ships attacked Bune’s vessel near the West African coast. Heavy cannon fire severely damaged Bune’s ship, eliminating any chance of salvaging it. Armed crew from Bune’s ship boarded and captured the nearest pirate ship, astonishing the pirates with their daring assault. They then used the captured pirate ship to seize the second one, and the victorious convoy proceeded toward Spain. Near the Spanish coast, shore fortresses and port ships fired upon them, mistaking them for enemy pirates, as their ships bore no flags. After signaling, the friendly fire ceased. Vice Bune was triumphantly welcomed and rewarded.

Vice Bune served in the Spanish courts in Madrid, Milan, and Naples on behalf of the Republic of Dubrovnik, as evidenced by Senate records and mutual correspondence. After returning from the Indies, he was in Lisbon by late 1597, offering his services to the Republic. In August 1598, Dubrovnik asked him to secure final confirmation of their rights to purchase 500 karats of grain annually in the Kingdom of Naples, and to expand privileges to Sicily. However, he reported in January 1599 that full success was not achieved.

Dubrovnik maintained many consuls in Spanish territories, especially southern Italy and major Spanish ports. Sicily, Bari, Manfredonia, and the Tremiti islands supplied wheat; Apulia exported wool, soap, fruits, and vegetables; Monte Gargano provided timber; and Trapani and Barletta supplied salt. Dubrovnik exported horses, livestock, wool, wax, honey, lead, hunting dogs, falcons, rough cloth, and leather. Merchants and shipowners often bought “Turkish” grain, with sailors entitled to a share.

When grain was needed, the Dubrovnik Senate or Small Council would act quickly, often subsidizing grain distribution, notably in 1600 and 1601.

The Republic again pressed for grain supplies on July 28, 1599, with Vice Bune working in Naples. During Spanish rule, Naples and Sicily became Dubrovnik’s “breadbasket,” with significant Dubrovnik funds held in Neapolitan banks. However, the viceroy demanded export taxes regardless of old privileges, prompting Dubrovnik to discreetly seek confirmation of privileges granted in 1523. In the spring of 1600, during a severe shortage, Vice Bune arranged 200 karats of grain for Dubrovnik. During a visit in June 1600, he received a gold medal of honor before returning to Naples, later visiting Milan. He continued living in Naples until his death. Apart from grain, he sent legumes and sulfur to Dubrovnik, using ships like Vicko Balak’s.

In 1601, the Dubrovnik Senate requested Vice to find an excellent shipbuilder for constructing a small warship (galeotta) to strengthen coastal defenses. He also advocated for Genoa and Pisa at the Spanish court in Milan. As Dubrovnik ships often faced Spanish seizures, Vice Bune served as an influential mediator.

During the Lastovo Uprising of 1602, Vice Bune defended Dubrovnik’s rights against Spanish and Venetian threats. The Republic titled him “commendatore” (a distinguished, retired commander), previously calling him “captain” or “milite.” Correspondence was sometimes coded. Although the Lastovci (inhabitants of Lastovo) had autonomously joined Dubrovnik in the 13th century and owed taxes, the uprising was led by local clans resisting central authority.

Spain was ready to help Dubrovnik with 55 galleys and 6,000–7,000 troops (and even more if needed). Vice Bune warned of the risk of Turkish intervention, which could lead to Turkish occupation of Dubrovnik’s excellent harbors. After Dubrovnik regained Lastovo from Venice, they officially thanked Vice Bune on July 4, 1606, to which he responded with a letter affirming his loyalty “even at the cost of his own life”.

Later, there were more disturbances on Lastovo (1652–1653, 1668, 1677, and burning the Republic’s flag in 1683), but none matched the brutality seen after, for example, the Illyrian revolt under Baton (6–9 AD).

Vice Bune was appointed consul in Naples on September 27, 1607. He handled grain procurement, protected Dubrovnik’s privileges, and presented 12 falcons to the viceroy. Dubrovnik requested clarification to Spanish authorities that this gift was not a tribute. After lightning struck Dubrovnik’s armory in 1610, Vice procured weapons and gear worth 6,000 ducats (arquebuses, guns, spears, halberds, helmets) from Naples. Ships of Cvjetković, Ruska, and Dolistić transported them, and Dubrovnik thanked him in 1611.

When a ship transporting grain sank, Dubrovnik informed Vice that a replacement ship would arrive with a doctor and a gunpowder maker.

As was common, Vice also engaged in trade. He became ill in Naples in 1612 and wrote a will registered in Dubrovnik on June 12, 1615. His will shows financial ties with Loiseo Rodrigues de Paiva in Lisbon (who owed him thousands of ducats for charitable causes) and Valentin Garcia in the Indies. He left 20 shirts of Indian cloth to his maid.

Nearby, Mato Markov Vlahušić from Slano died in Lisbon in 1536 while in service. Dubrovnik’s captain Tomo Stjepović Skočibuha was tasked with collecting his inheritance. A young sailor from Šipan died in Portuguese South America in 1625 (“in partibus Indiarum Lusitaniae sive Portugaliae”). With Venice embroiled in wars with the Turks and Portugal struggling with Spain, Dubrovnik briefly took over much of the spice trade with India, even establishing ties with Goa.

Dubrovnik ships possibly sailed around the Cape of Good Hope shortly after Vasco da Gama. Between 1592 and 1602, Portugal lost 38 “naves” from India—potentially worth over 20 million gold coins.

Vice Bune had a capital of 6,000 ducats in Goa (owed by Diego Suero), which led to some disputes. He tried to collect that money through legal channels, but given the distance and the weakness of legal mechanisms in India, he most likely never received it.

Around 1607, he was appointed the Ragusan consul in Naples, a position of great importance considering the intense maritime trade between Dubrovnik and the Kingdom of Naples. As consul, he had the task of protecting the interests of Ragusan merchants and seafarers, as well as assisting the Republic itself when necessary.

His political and diplomatic activities culminated during the Lastovo Rebellion (1602–1606), when he successfully advocated for Dubrovnik’s interests at the Spanish court, helping to neutralize the accusations made by the Lastovci and securing Spain’s continued favor toward the Republic.

In his later years, Vice Bune suffered from illness, spending most of his time in Naples, where he died in 1612. Despite his personal wealth and reputation, his death seems to have passed relatively quietly, and today he remains one of the lesser-known, yet extremely significant figures of Ragusan diplomacy and maritime history.

After his death, disputes arose over the inheritance of his estate, which was substantial. His will mentioned several relatives and charitable donations, but part of his property remained contested for a long time. Some documents suggest that the Ragusan Republic itself intervened to ensure that at least a portion of his wealth would benefit public institutions, especially those linked to maritime affairs and welfare.

Vice Bune’s life and work are an excellent example of the Ragusan strategy of integrating diplomacy, commerce, and maritime enterprise. His activities in India, Portugal, and Italy show how Dubrovnik, despite its small size, played a significant role on the world stage of the early modern period.

His connections with major trading companies, religious orders, and influential individuals of the time reflect the broad and complex network in which Ragusan merchants operated. Through his efforts, Vice Bune contributed not only to his personal wealth but also to the reputation and influence of Dubrovnik far beyond the Adriatic Sea.

Even after his death, his name was remembered among the Ragusan community in Goa and elsewhere, as an example of successful navigation through the turbulent waters of 16th-century global trade and diplomacy.

Compiled by: Đivo Bašić
https://dubrovnikportal.com/kolumne/crtice-iz-povijesti-grada/dubrovcanin-vice-bune-1559-1612/