Albanian principalities

The term Albanian Principalities refers to a number of

Lek Dukagjini

.

List of Albanian principalities

Principality of Arbanon

The Principality of Arbanon (1190–1255) was the first Albanian state during the

Dhimiter Progoni

.

Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto

Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto (1358–1374) was a

Despotate, ruled by Albanian chieftains of Epirus. It was created after the defeat of Nikephoros II Orsini in 1358 and ceased to exist in 1374, when its despot, Gjin Bua Shpata, unified the territory with Despotate of Arta.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Principality of Valona

The Principality of Valona (1346–1417) was a medieval state roughly encompassing the territories of the modern Albanian counties of

Balšić family

.

Principality of Dukagjini

The Principality of Dukagjini (

sanjak of Dukagjin was named after the rule of the family in the areas that formed it.^[5] The principality formally existed until 1479, but in 1444 it was united by Skanderbeg

with the other Albanian noble families.

Despotate of Arta

Despotate of Arta (1355–1416) was a

Acheron River in the North, neighbouring with the Principality of Gjon Zenebishi, another state created in the area of the Despotate of Epirus. The Despotate of Epirus managed to control in this period only the eastern part of Epirus, with its capital in Ioannina

. During this period the Despotate of Epirus was ruled by

Jakup Bua Shpata

and conquered Arta, ending the Shpata dynasty.

Principality of Gjirokastër

Principality of Gjirokastër (1373–1418) was a principality created by

sebastocrator or prefect of Vagenetia near Delvina and in 1386 he became prince. In 1399 Esau, supported by some Albanian clans, marched against his wife's brother-in-law Gjon Zenebishi of Gjirokastër. Now Esau was routed and captured, and much of his land was occupied by Zenebishi. Esau returned to Ioannina in 1400, regaining the reign from Zenebishi. Zenebishi was defeated by the Turks, he fled to the Venetian island of Corfu

, but was called back two years later (1416) by an uprising of the mountain tribes. With the support of Venice, he again set his sights on Gjirokastra, but was chased away once more by the Turks and died in Corfu in 1418.

Lordship of Berat

The

Despotate and was significantly expanded during the rule of Andrea II. The Muzaka family continued to be a formidable and influential dynasty in central Albania until 1417 when it eventually fell under the Ottoman Empire

.

Kastrioti Principality

Principality of Kastrioti (1389–1444) was one of the most important principalities in Medieval Albania. It was created by

Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg

. Gjon Kastrioti had originally only two small villages, which probably emblem of the eagle family with a black two-headed, even if it can provide different interpretations. In short time Gjon Kastrioti managed to expand its lands so as to become the undisputed lord of Central Albania. Gjon Kastrioti was among those who opposed^[6] the early incursion of Ottoman Bayezid I, however his resistance was ineffectual. The Sultan, having accepted his submissions, obliged him to pay tribute and to ensure the fidelity of local rulers, Gjergj Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Sultan to his court as hostages.

Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg

was distinguished as one of the best officers in several Ottoman campaigns both in Asia Minor and in Europe, and the Sultan appointed him General. On 28 November 1443, Skanderbeg saw his opportunity to rebel during a

battle against the Hungarians led by John Hunyadi in Niš as part of the Crusade of Varna. He switched sides along with 300 other Albanians serving in the Ottoman army. After a long trek to Albania he eventually captured Krujë by forging a letter^[6] from the Sultan to the Governor of Krujë, which granted him control of the territory. After capturing the castle, Skanderbeg^[7]

abjured Islam and proclaimed himself the avenger of his family and country. Following the capture of Krujë, Skanderbeg managed to bring together all the Albanian princes in the town of Lezhë^[8] (see League of Lezhë, 1444). Gibbon^[7] reports that the "Albanians, a martial race, were unanimous to live and die with their hereditary prince" and that "in the assembly of the states of Epirus, Skanderbeg was elected general of the Turkish war and each of the allies engaged to furnish his respective proportion of men and money".

Principality of Topiaj (medieval)

Principality of Albania was an

Balšić dynasty, until 1392, when Durrës was annexed by the Republic of Venice

.

Principality of Mataranga

The

Blasius Matarango who after Dusan's death ruled from 1355 until his death in 1367, after his death the territories of the Mataranga family were incorporated into the Principality of Albania

.

Principality of Gropaj

The Gropa family was one of the biggest and famous Albanian noble families in the eastern Albania. The dynasty controlled the region between Pogradec, Ohrid and Debar in the period 12th – 14th century.^[10] In 1218 a certain Andrea was mentioned as a powerful sebast. In 1273 is mentioned Pal Gropa which once again reconfirmed the domains of the Gropa family and were even given extended privileges by Charles I of Anjou in order to ensure his loyalty. The Gropa noble family ruled until 1395 when it fell under the rapid expansion of the Ottoman Empire.

Principality of Zahariaj

The first ruler of the

Albanian Revolt of 1432–1436 was crushed the sultan entrusted Koja's son Lekë Zaharia with a position of Dagnum's governor.^[14]

References

^
ISBN 99927-1-623-1

^ ^a ^b John V.A. Fine Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans, Ann Arbor, 1987.
^ ^a ^b The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.
^ Trnavci 2010, p. 207.
^ Imber 2019, p. 152.
^ ^a ^b James Emerson Tennent, 1845, The History of Modern Greece, from Its Conquest by the Romans B.C.146, to the Present Time
^
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 6, Scanderbeg section

^ Minna Skafte Jensen, 2006, A Heroic Tale: Marin Barleti's Scanderbeg between orality and literacy Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
^ Dimiter Angelov: Imperial Ideology and Political Thought in Byzantium, 1204-1330. p. 319.
^ Vlora 1956, 5. Gropa Archived 27 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine: "The sphere of influence of the Gropas was no doubt concentrated in the region between Pogradec, Ohrid and Dibra. They seem to have ruled in that area for two centuries"
OCLC 249799501
, Na papiru ili pergameni predaje Djurdje tom zgodom Mlečanima i »grad Sati s carinom na Danju«. Ali dočim Skadar i Drivast domala i bez zapreke preuzimaju mletački provedituri, mali gradići u gudurama Drina, Danj i Sati, ostaju za njih Tih mjesta, u kojima 1395 vlada Kostadin Balšić, ne će izručiti njegov kaštelan, Arbanas Coya Zaccaria. On se poslije nazivao »dominus Sabatensis et Dagnensis« i bio čas turski kletvenik, čas mletački saveznik.

^ Bešić 1970, p. 78
У октобру 1400. год. један скадарски фрањевац упознао јемлетачку владу са жељом Ко је Закарије да се приклони Млеча-нима, јер је турску власт прихватио наводно из нужде, и да засличан став придобије свог рођака Димитрија Јониму. Као господар Дања и Шатија, ... Предлагао је да се инсценира сукоб у коме би га Млечани побиједшш и ... Сам је као награду тражио млетачку провизију од 500 дуката годишње. Упркос привлачности понуде,Млечани су одложили коначну одлуку, поготову када се послијенеколико дана сазнало да је и сам. Која већ отишао султану.)

^ Bešić 1970, p. 158
Коју Закарију је или протјерао или заробио, а Дањ повјерио Али-бегу.)

^ Bešić 1970, p. 160
Када је арбанаски устанак скршен, султан је ... Предао је Дањ сину Које Закарије — Леки,)

Bibliography

Bešić, Zarij M. (1970), Istorija Crne Gore / 2. Crna gora u doba oblasnih gospodara (in Serbian), Titograd: Redakcija za istoiju Crne Gore,
OCLC 175122851

Imber, Colin (2019). The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650: The Structure of Power. Macmillan International Higher Education.
ISBN 978-1352004144
.

Trnavci, Gene (2010). Mortimer Sellers (ed.). The interaction of customary law with the modern rule of law in Albania and Kosova. Springer. p. 205.
ISBN 978-9048137497
.

"History of Albanian People" Albanian Academy of Science. ISBN 99927-1-623-1

The American Slavic and East European Review 1952. 1952. ASIN 1258092352.

v
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Albanian Principalities in the Middle Ages

Principality of Arbanon

Principality of Albania

Principality of Gropa

Principality of Arianiti

Principality of Muzaka

Principality of Matranga

Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto

Despotate of Arta

Principality of Zenebishi

Principality of Dukagjini

Principality of Kastrioti

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albanian_principalities&oldid=1226041280"

[ReferenceA-1] 
ISBN 99927-1-623-1

[John_V.A_1987-2] John V.A. Fine Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans, Ann Arbor, 1987.

[The_1991-3] The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, Oxford University Press, 1991.

[FOOTNOTETrnavci2010207-4] Trnavci 2010, p. 207.

[FOOTNOTEImber2019152-5] Imber 2019, p. 152.

[Tennent1845-6] James Emerson Tennent, 1845, The History of Modern Greece, from Its Conquest by the Romans B.C.146, to the Present Time

[gibbon-7] 
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 6, Scanderbeg section

[jensen-8] Minna Skafte Jensen, 2006, A Heroic Tale: Marin Barleti's Scanderbeg between orality and literacy Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine

[9] Dimiter Angelov: Imperial Ideology and Political Thought in Byzantium, 1204-1330. p. 319.

[Vlora-10] Vlora 1956, 5. Gropa Archived 27 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine: "The sphere of influence of the Gropas was no doubt concentrated in the region between Pogradec, Ohrid and Dibra. They seem to have ruled in that area for two centuries"

[11] OCLC 249799501
, Na papiru ili pergameni predaje Djurdje tom zgodom Mlečanima i »grad Sati s carinom na Danju«. Ali dočim Skadar i Drivast domala i bez zapreke preuzimaju mletački provedituri, mali gradići u gudurama Drina, Danj i Sati, ostaju za njih Tih mjesta, u kojima 1395 vlada Kostadin Balšić, ne će izručiti njegov kaštelan, Arbanas Coya Zaccaria. On se poslije nazivao »dominus Sabatensis et Dagnensis« i bio čas turski kletvenik, čas mletački saveznik.

[12] Bešić 1970, p. 78
У октобру 1400. год. један скадарски фрањевац упознао јемлетачку владу са жељом Ко је Закарије да се приклони Млеча-нима, јер је турску власт прихватио наводно из нужде, и да засличан став придобије свог рођака Димитрија Јониму. Као господар Дања и Шатија, ... Предлагао је да се инсценира сукоб у коме би га Млечани побиједшш и ... Сам је као награду тражио млетачку провизију од 500 дуката годишње. Упркос привлачности понуде,Млечани су одложили коначну одлуку, поготову када се послијенеколико дана сазнало да је и сам. Која већ отишао султану.)

[13] Bešić 1970, p. 158
Коју Закарију је или протјерао или заробио, а Дањ повјерио Али-бегу.)

[14] Bešić 1970, p. 160
Када је арбанаски устанак скршен, султан је ... Предао је Дањ сину Које Закарије — Леки,)

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