Vitslav III, Prince of Rügen

Vitslav III (1265/8–1325), variously called Vislav, Vizlav, Wislaw, Wizlaw and Witslaw in English sources, was the last Slavic ruler of the Danish Principality of Rugia. He is often identified with the author of the Minnesinger Vitslav of the Jenaer Liederhandschrift.

He was the son and successor of Vitslav II, and as such one of the Wizlawids descended from Kruto of Wagria. Born in either 1263 or 1268, he is attested in a document of 1283. At his father's death in 1302, Vitslav shared the throne of Rügen with his brother Sambor. There was rivalry between the two brothers, but Sambor died in 1304, and Wizlaw ruled alone until his death in 1325. Vitslav had two daughters, Euphemia and Agnes (wife of Albert II, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst), and a son, Jaromar. But Jaromar died in May 1325, shortly before his father, and Vitslav faced the prospect of leaving no male heir.

Rügen would have fallen to Vitslav's nephew, Wartislaw IV, but Wartislav died in 1326, causing the Rügen war of succession.

The Minnesinger Vitslav was likely in fact Vitslav III. Fourteen songs and thirteen poems by this author have been preserved as an addition to the Jenaer Liederhandschrift (foll. 72vb - 80vb).