The magnates, "velikaši", of Serbia in the Middle Ages were noted by their higher titles in relation to those held by the lesser nobles. In the Early and High Middle Ages the highest (most prestigious) title was "vojvoda", a military rank and title of governors. During the Serbian Empire (1345–71) the higher court members held titles such as "despot", "sevastokrator" and "kesar". During foreign rule, under the Ottoman Empire, Habsburg Monarchy, Republic of Venice, and later in the Revolution, and Principality the magnates were influential voivodes (though all voivodes were not considered magnates).