Career
As a Serbian monk, he was also a chronicler, active in court and Church politics, holding the office during the zenith of the Nemanjić dynasty-era. He wrote many biographies which are considered part of the most notable medieval Serbian literature. Born around 1270, his given name is not recorded, only that he belonged to a Serbian noble family.
He was endowed with a fine intellect and a noble disposition.
He had received an excellent education at the hands of the most learned men in Medieval Serbia and in Byzantium. Danilo wrote biographies of Serbian medieval kings and archbishops, including the biography of Jelena, the wife of King Stephen Dragutin of Serbia (1276–1282).
His monumental work is referred to in the poetry of Serbian folklore as knjige starostavne (the ancient books) and knjige carostavne (the royal books). He is included in The 100 most prominent Serbs.