Not to be confused with Principality of Albania, which existed in the modern Albanian state

Princedom of Albania Principality ← 1368–1444 → Flag of Princedom of Albania Princedom of Albania in 15th century Capital Durrës Language(s) Albanian Religion Catholic Government Principality Prince  - 1368–1382 Karl Thopia  - 1443-1444 Andrea II Thopia Historical era Medieval  - Established 1368 1368  - Disestablished 2 March 1444 1444

Princedom of Albania (1368-1443) was an Albanian principality formed after the disestablishment of Kingdom of Albania, by Karl Thopia. The principality changed hands between the Thopia dynasty and the Balsha dynasty, until 1392, when Durrës was occupied by the Republic of Venice and the Princedom managed to control only a portion of the surroundings of the city. When Skanderbeg liberated Kruja and reorganised the Principality of Kastrioti, the descendant of Gjergj Thopia, Andrea II Thopia, managed to regain control of the Durrës. Finally, it was united with other Albanian Principalities forming the League of Lezha in 1444.

Contents 1 Rulers 2 Creation 3 Balsa dynasty 4 Downfall 5 See also 6 Sources

[edit] Rulers

• Karl Thopia 1st reign 1368–1382
• Balša II 1385–1387
• Karl Thopia 2nd reign 1385–1387
• Gjergj Thopia 1387–1392
• Andrea I Thopia 1392-1428
• Andrea II Thopia 1428-1444

[edit] Creation

In 1358, Karlo rose against the rule of the Anjou and could drive them out up to Durrës from Epirus and Albania. It prevailed from 1358 to 1387 over far parts of central Albania and called themselves Princeps Albaniae.

Since 1362, Karlo sought himself to set Durrës, which was in the possession of the Duchess Johanna of Anjou, also into the possession of the city. The first, certainly still unsuccessful siege lasted from April 1362 until May 1363. Then, Thopia had to withdraw his troops, who were weakened by an epidemic disease. Only in 1367 could Karlo conquer Durrës, who had attained in the meantime the tacit agreement of the Venetians for his project and make important port his residence.

Karlo gained control of Durrës in 1368, which was where the Angevins held out due to their Kingdom becoming smaller in size. This event caused the Kingdom of Albania to end.

[edit] Balsa dynasty

Balša II made a fourth attempt to conquer Durrës, an important commercial and strategetic center, which was ruled by rival, Karl Thopia. In 1382, Balša II began a war and seized Durrës. In 1385, the defeated Karl Thopia, appealed to Murad I for support against his rivals, the Balšić family of Zeta. This was the equivalent of inviting the Ottoman Empire into Albania in order to help him defeat his rivals of the Balšić family.

This attempt caused an Ottoman force, led by Hayreddin Pasha, to quickly march into Albania along the Via Egnatia. The Ottoman force routed the Balšas by inflicting heavy defeats on Balša II's forces. Balša II himself was killed in a big battle on Saurian Field (Serbian: Saurijsko Polje) near Berat in 1385, ending the Balša family's rule over Durrës.

[edit] Downfall

In 1392, the Princedom of Albania was territorially shrinking in the areas surroundings Durrës, which fell under the Republic of Venice. When Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg managed to regain control over Krujë, Andrea II Thopia, descendant of Karl Thopia, regained Durrës and united the princedom with the League of Lezha on March 2, 1444.

[edit] See also

• League of Lezhe
• Albanian Principalities
• History of Albania

[edit] Sources

• Albanian Academy of Science. History of Albanian People. ISBN 9992716231
• Stefanaq Pollo Histoire de l'Albanie des origines à nos jours. Roanne: Horvath. 1974. ISBN 2-7171-0025-3
• Tajar Zavalani: Histori e Shqipnis. Tiranë: Phoenix. 1998. ISBN 99927-607-0-2
• Georges Castellan: Histoire de l’Albanie et des Albanais. Crozon: Armeline. 2002. ISBN 2-910878-20-1