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{{Short description|Albanian nobleman of the Muzaka family}} |
{{Short description|Albanian nobleman of the Muzaka family}} |
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{{Infobox noble |
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| name = Andrea II Muzaka |
| name = Andrea II Muzaka |
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| native_name = Ndre Muzaka |
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| noble family = [[Muzaka family|House of Muzaka]] |
| noble family = [[Muzaka family|House of Muzaka]] |
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'''Andrea II Muzaka''' was an [[Albanians|Albanian]] nobleman of the [[Muzaka family]] and the ruler of the [[Lordship of Berat|Principality of Muzaka]] in the 14th century. He inherited the principality from his father, [[Teodor I Muzaka]], who died in approximately 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from portions of the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the west to [[Kastoria]] in the east. |
'''Andrea II Muzaka''' was an [[Albanians|Albanian]] nobleman of the [[Muzaka family]] and the ruler of the [[Lordship of Berat|Principality of Muzaka]] in the 14th century. He inherited the principality from his father, [[Teodor I Muzaka]], who died in approximately 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from portions of the [[Adriatic Sea]] in the west to [[Kastoria]] in the east. |
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Titled as the 'Marshal of Albania' by the Angevins, he led |
Titled as the 'Marshal of Albania' by the Angevins, he led resistance against the Serbian invasions of [[Albania]]. However, by 1343-1345 all lands ruled by Muzaka was under Serbian rule.<ref name="Fine1994-290">{{cite book |last=Fine |first=John V. A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC&pg=PA290 |title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-472-08260-5 |pages=290–291 and 301}}</ref> After the fall of the [[Serbian Empire]], he regained his former territories and began to expand. During his wars against the Serbian successor states, Andrea II succeeded in defeating and capturing both [[Vukašin of Serbia]] and [[Prince Marko]]{{Better source needed|date=July 2023}}, solidifying his family's principality and receiving the title of [[Despot (court title)|Despot]] from the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] emperor. |
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==Rule== |
==Rule== |
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During the same period, Andrea II was also regarded as the lord of [[Vlorë]], or at the very least had the city under his control. In 1396, faced with the possibility of a sudden invasion from the [[Balsha family]], Andrea II formed an alliance with them by marrying his daughter Comita (or Komnene) Muzaka to [[Balsha II]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Muhadri |first1=Bedri |title=Kosova në kuadrin e Principatës së Balshajve |journal=Studime Historike |date=2023 |volume=74 |issue=1-2 |pages=43-45 |url=https://albanica.al/studime_historike/article/view/1064}}</ref> |
During the same period, Andrea II was also regarded as the lord of [[Vlorë]], or at the very least had the city under his control. In 1396, faced with the possibility of a sudden invasion from the [[Balsha family]], Andrea II formed an alliance with them by marrying his daughter Comita (or Komnene) Muzaka to [[Balsha II]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Muhadri |first1=Bedri |title=Kosova në kuadrin e Principatës së Balshajve |journal=Studime Historike |date=2023 |volume=74 |issue=1-2 |pages=43-45 |url=https://albanica.al/studime_historike/article/view/1064}}</ref> |
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In 1371, both Andrea II Muzaka and [[Andrea Gropa]] conjoinedly waged war against [[Prince Marko]], capturing [[Kastoria]].<ref name="Gloyer2010">{{cite book|author=Gillian Gloyer|title=Albania|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ksDYlFPUNLwC&pg=PA103|date=1 June 2010|publisher=Alhena Media|language=Spanish|isbn=978-84-92963-50-8|page=103|quote=Tras la muerte de Stefan Dušan en 1355, el área que se corresponde con el sureste de la actual Albania y hasta Kastoria (que hoy en día pertenece a Grecia) cayó en manos de la familia Muzaka de Berati, uno de los poderosos clanes}}</ref><ref name="FineFine1994">{{cite book|author1=John V. A. Fine|author2=John Van Antwerp Fine|title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC&pg=PA668|year=1994|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=978-0-472-08260-5|page=380|quote=... Andrew Musachi .... took Kastoria from Marko...}}</ref> Andrea II Muzaka won another victory over Prince Marko, capturing him in battle and imprisoning him for several months before a ransom was paid for his release.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prifti |first=Leonard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oKRRAQAAIAAJ&q=Andrea+II+Muzaka |title=Shqiptarët, grekët dhe serbët: kundër Shuflait |date=2010 |publisher=Shtëpia Botuese "Uegen" |isbn=978-9928-03-018-4 |language=sq}}</ref> The loss of territory that Prince Marko suffered during the war significantly weakened his state and hindered his ability to raise new armies.<ref name="FineFine1994" /> |
In 1371, both Andrea II Muzaka and [[Andrea Gropa]] conjoinedly waged war against [[Prince Marko]], capturing [[Kastoria]].<ref name="Gloyer2010">{{cite book|author=Gillian Gloyer|title=Albania|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ksDYlFPUNLwC&pg=PA103|date=1 June 2010|publisher=Alhena Media|language=Spanish|isbn=978-84-92963-50-8|page=103|quote=Tras la muerte de Stefan Dušan en 1355, el área que se corresponde con el sureste de la actual Albania y hasta Kastoria (que hoy en día pertenece a Grecia) cayó en manos de la familia Muzaka de Berati, uno de los poderosos clanes}}</ref><ref name="FineFine1994">{{cite book|author1=John V. A. Fine|author2=John Van Antwerp Fine|title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC&pg=PA668|year=1994|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=978-0-472-08260-5|page=380|quote=... Andrew Musachi .... took Kastoria from Marko...}}</ref> Andrea II Muzaka won another victory over Prince Marko, capturing him in battle and imprisoning him for several months before a ransom was paid for his release.{{Better source needed|date=July 2023}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Prifti |first=Leonard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oKRRAQAAIAAJ&q=Andrea+II+Muzaka |title=Shqiptarët, grekët dhe serbët: kundër Shuflait |date=2010 |publisher=Shtëpia Botuese "Uegen" |isbn=978-9928-03-018-4 |language=sq}}</ref> The loss of territory that Prince Marko suffered during the war significantly weakened his state and hindered his ability to raise new armies.<ref name="FineFine1994" /> |
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By his final years, Andrea II had expanded his principality to cover the regions of [[Myzeqe]], [[Berat]], [[Tomorrica (river)|Tomorricë]], [[Skrapar]], [[Këlcyrë]], [[Përmet]], [[Opar, Albania|Opar]], [[Devoll (municipality)|Devoll]], [[Kolonjë]] and [[Kastoria]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Anamali |first1=Skënder |title=Historia e popullit Shqiptar: gjatë shek. XVI -vitet 20 të shek. XIX |date=2002 |publisher=Botimet Toena |location=Tiranë |isbn=9992716223 |page=295}}</ref> Andrea would die in 1372 and the rule would be passed to his son [[Teodor II Muzaka|Teodor II]]. |
By his final years, Andrea II had expanded his principality to cover the regions of [[Myzeqe]], [[Berat]], [[Tomorrica (river)|Tomorricë]], [[Skrapar]], [[Këlcyrë]], [[Përmet]], [[Opar, Albania|Opar]], [[Devoll (municipality)|Devoll]], [[Kolonjë]] and [[Kastoria]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Anamali |first1=Skënder |title=Historia e popullit Shqiptar: gjatë shek. XVI -vitet 20 të shek. XIX |date=2002 |publisher=Botimet Toena |location=Tiranë |isbn=9992716223 |page=295}}</ref> Andrea would die in 1372 and the rule would be passed to his son [[Teodor II Muzaka|Teodor II]]. |
Revision as of 16:05, 10 July 2023
Andrea II Muzaka | |
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Despot of Albania | |
File:Musachio II.jpg | |
Reign | 1331-1372 |
Predecessor | Teodor I Muzaka |
Successor | Teodor II Muzaka |
Native name | Ndre Muzaka |
Born | 1319 |
Died | 1372 St Anthony Church, Durrës |
Noble family | House of Muzaka |
Spouse(s) | Euphemia Matranga |
Issue | Lord Gjin Muzaka Teodor II, Lord of Myzeqe Stoia, Lord of Castoria Comita, Lady of Zeta Chiranna, Lady of Ohër and Dibra |
Father | Teodor I Muzaka |
Andrea II Muzaka was an Albanian nobleman of the Muzaka family and the ruler of the Principality of Muzaka in the 14th century. He inherited the principality from his father, Teodor I Muzaka, who died in approximately 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from portions of the Adriatic Sea in the west to Kastoria in the east.
Titled as the 'Marshal of Albania' by the Angevins, he led resistance against the Serbian invasions of Albania. However, by 1343-1345 all lands ruled by Muzaka was under Serbian rule.[1] After the fall of the Serbian Empire, he regained his former territories and began to expand. During his wars against the Serbian successor states, Andrea II succeeded in defeating and capturing both Vukašin of Serbia and Prince Marko[better source needed], solidifying his family's principality and receiving the title of Despot from the Byzantine emperor.
Rule
Early reign
Andrea II Muzaka came from the wealthy Albanian Muzaka noble family of southern Albania. His grandfather, Andrea I Muzaka, established de facto independent territorial rule around 1280 in the Myzeqe region west of Berat, which was later named after the family. Andrea I was succeeded by Teodor or "Këshetsi". Teodor's son, Andrea II, would become the most prominent ruler of the Muzaka noble family in the medieval era. Like his father, Andrea II served the Angevins as the titular marshal of Albania. He held various other titles such as sebastokrator, and despotus Regni Albaniae (despot of Albania) from the Angevins. At the beginning of his rule he exercised nominal control over much of the country's Adriatic sea between the Vjosa and Devoll rivers eastwards. In practice this continued to be dominated by the historic Albanian noble families who paid little heed to Muzaka's authority.[2][3]
An agreement between the Angevins and Andrea II allowed members of the Muzaka family to travel freely to and from Durrës, and the friendly ties between the two noble families remained up until the Muzaka family fled from the Ottoman conquest of Albania.[4]
Resistance against the Serbians
During 1341-1347, the Byzantine Empire was engaged in a civil war, and the Serbians capitalised on this situation by invading much of the Byzantine holdings within the southern Balkans. Andrea II led heavy resistance against the Serbs and formed various alliances with other Albanian noble families, as well as maintaining ties with his traditional Angevin allies. In 1336, the short-lived Serbian Empire under Stefan Dušan captured Angevin-controlled Durrës. Although the Angevins managed to recapture Durrës, Dušan continued his expansion, and in the 1337—45 he had captured Kanina and Valona.[5]
Andrea II Muzaka waged war against the Serbian forces around 1340. In an alliance with the Gropa family, he would have several other successful campaigns against Dušan, but his domains were soon invaded by the Serbian king, as were other Albanian principalities.[6][5]
In 1350, Andrea II seized Berat from the Serbians, which forced the local lord appointed by Stefan Dušan, John Komnenos Asen, to move his seat to Kanina.[7] It is uncertain whether the Serb troops were able to capture any towns or exert control over the area of southern Albanian, despite their incursions into the region.[5] Although some historians attribute the acquisition of several towns to this period, others suggest that the Serbs only obtained submission, which may have been nominal, from different Albanian tribes.[5] The Serbs may have gained control of Kanina and Valona by 1337, but it is more probable this was not until 1343-45.[5]
Later reign
After the death of Stefan Dušan in 1355 and the collapse of the short-lived Serbian Empire, Andrea II regained control over parts of south-eastern modern-day Albania and significantly expanded the principality. In the late 1360's, Andrea II was engaged in a conflict over the southwestern provinces of Macedonia (including Kastoria) against Vukašin Mrnjavčević, the King of Serbia. Both rulers had claims to inherit these regions after the death of Simeon Uroš; Vukašin had claimed it as the co-ruler of Stefan Uroš V, whereas Andrea II claimed it on the grounds that the border between Albanian and Bulgaria lied at the Pelister mountain. The Battle of Pelister in 1369 ended with the victory of Andrea II and the Albanians; Vukašin's army was shattered, and Vukašin himself was taken prisoner by a warrior of the Muzakas called Dusland. As a result of this battle, the Byzantine emperor presented Andrea II with the imperial emblem, and granted him the title of 'despot' with special priveledges.[8]
During the same period, Andrea II was also regarded as the lord of Vlorë, or at the very least had the city under his control. In 1396, faced with the possibility of a sudden invasion from the Balsha family, Andrea II formed an alliance with them by marrying his daughter Comita (or Komnene) Muzaka to Balsha II.[9]
In 1371, both Andrea II Muzaka and Andrea Gropa conjoinedly waged war against Prince Marko, capturing Kastoria.[10][11] Andrea II Muzaka won another victory over Prince Marko, capturing him in battle and imprisoning him for several months before a ransom was paid for his release.[better source needed][12] The loss of territory that Prince Marko suffered during the war significantly weakened his state and hindered his ability to raise new armies.[11]
By his final years, Andrea II had expanded his principality to cover the regions of Myzeqe, Berat, Tomorricë, Skrapar, Këlcyrë, Përmet, Opar, Devoll, Kolonjë and Kastoria.[13] Andrea would die in 1372 and the rule would be passed to his son Teodor II.
Family
Andrea II married Lady Euphemia Matranga (Albanian: Efimia Matrënga) also called: Eythvmia, Etinia or Onorata; who was the daughter of Paul Matranga, the Albanian Lord of Ghora. The couple had five children:[14]
- Gjin Muzaka (* around 1337; † 1389), who inherited most of his fathers lands, with the exception of Berat, Myzeqe and Kastoria. He married Lady Suina Arianiti-Comneniates, a daughter of the Albanian Lord Materango Arianiti, with whom he had 5 sons: Andrea III Muzaka, Materango Muzaka, Vlash Muzaka, Bogdan Muzaka and Laldi Muzaka
- Teodor II Muzaka (* 1337; † after 1389), who inherited Myzeqe and Berat
- Lord Stoia († after 1384), who inherited Kastoria as well as its villages and estates. Unfortunately, he died early with no heirs, therefore his lands were passed down to his elder brother Gjin.
- Lady Comita (or Komnene) Muzaka († 1392), who married Balsha II and secured an alliance between the Muzaka family and the Balsha family
- Lady Chiranna Muzaka (also: Kyranna), who married Lord Gropa of Ohër and Dibra. The couple had no living issue, thus their property was inherited by the Muzakas.
Despot Andrea II and his wife Despotess Euphemia were both buried in the town of Durrës, within the Church of Saint Anthony, to the right side of the main altar, in a beautiful grave made of marble and containing the following epitaph: 'Here lies Lord Andrew Molosachi, Despot of Epirus'.[15]
See also
References
- ^ Fine, John V. A. (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. pp. 290–291 and 301. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5.
- ^ Lala 2008, p. 137.
- ^ Stair Sainty 2018, p. 501.
- ^ Gjergji, Andromaqi (2004). Albanian costumes through the centuries: origin, types, evolution. Tiranë: Acad. of Sciences of Albania, Inst. of Folc Culture. p. 22. ISBN 9789994361441.
- ^ a b c d e Fine, John V. A. (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. pp. 290–291. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5.
- ^ Braudel, Fernand (1995). The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world in the age of Philip II, Volume 2. p. 664. ISBN 0-520-20330-5.
- ^ Anamali, Skënder (2002). Historia e popullit Shqiptar: gjatë shek. XVI -vitet 20 të shek. XIX. Tiranë: Botimet Toena. p. 294. ISBN 9992716223.
- ^ Muhadri, Bedri (2023). "Kosova në kuadrin e Principatës së Balshajve". Studime Historike. 74 (1–2): 43–45.
- ^ Muhadri, Bedri (2023). "Kosova në kuadrin e Principatës së Balshajve". Studime Historike. 74 (1–2): 43–45.
- ^ Gillian Gloyer (1 June 2010). Albania (in Spanish). Alhena Media. p. 103. ISBN 978-84-92963-50-8.
Tras la muerte de Stefan Dušan en 1355, el área que se corresponde con el sureste de la actual Albania y hasta Kastoria (que hoy en día pertenece a Grecia) cayó en manos de la familia Muzaka de Berati, uno de los poderosos clanes
- ^ a b John V. A. Fine; John Van Antwerp Fine (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 380. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5.
... Andrew Musachi .... took Kastoria from Marko...
- ^ Prifti, Leonard (2010). Shqiptarët, grekët dhe serbët: kundër Shuflait (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "Uegen". ISBN 978-9928-03-018-4.
- ^ Anamali, Skënder (2002). Historia e popullit Shqiptar: gjatë shek. XVI -vitet 20 të shek. XIX. Tiranë: Botimet Toena. p. 295. ISBN 9992716223.
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania: A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 41–42. ISBN 3447047836.
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania: A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 41–42. ISBN 3447047836.
Sources
- Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania: A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 3447047836.
- Lala, Etleva (2008), Regnum Albaniae, the Papal Curia, and the Western Visions of a Borderline Nobility (PDF), Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies
- Stair Sainty, Guy (2018). The Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Angeli, Farnese and Bourbon families which governed it. Boletín Oficial del Estado. ISBN 9788434025066.
- Jurlaro, Rosario (1970). I Musachi despoti d'Epiro: "in Puglia a salvamento" (in Italian). Ed. del Centro librario.