Few details are known about Hranislav prior to his capture by the Byzantines. Byzantine historian
George Pachymeres describes him as a "warlike man, a Bulgarian by descent" and one of Ivaylo's officers and supporters. Historian Plamen Pavlov theorizes that Hranislav must have been an early follower of Ivaylo from the very outbreak of
his uprising and thus one of his most trusted commanders. He believes Hranislav was granted the Byzantine loan-title of
megas primikerios after Ivaylo was installed in the capital
Tarnovo. Andronikos desired to make use of Hranislav's military talents and elevated him to the status of
megas tzaousios. Bulgarian scholars interpret the role of the
megas tzaousios as the head of the imperial guard and a chief assistant of the
megas primikerios. In his new duty as a Byzantine general, Hranislav was deployed to northwest Asia Minor, where his major task was the defence of that province against the advancing Turks. He was subordinate to the Western mercenary
Roger de Flor and his Catalan Company, though he stood in charge of a separate military unit. His forces may have included a Bulgarian participation of unknown number. Hranislav's detachment took part in the Byzantine–Catalan victory over the Turks at
Germe in the spring of 1304. However, the distribution of loot proved to be a major matter of dispute between Roger and Hranislav. The former accused the latter of greediness and in the ensuing conflict hanged twelve of his soldiers. Roger even stabbed Hranislav with his sword and was about to hang him, had it not been for the intervention of other Byzantine generals, who saved the Bulgarian due to his "many praiseworthy acts". Nothing is known of Hranislav's destiny after 1304, although he is not mentioned to have died from his wounds. ==Legacy==