List of Albanian monarchs

Monarchy of Albania
Monarchy of Albania
Monarkia e Shqipërisë
	Royal Coat of arms of Albania
	Last Monarch ; Victor Emmanuel III
Details
Style	His Majesty
First monarch	Progon, Lord of Kruja
Last monarch	Victor Emmanuel III
Formation	Approximately 1190 AD.
Abolition	8 September 1943
Residences	Royal Palace of Tirana; Royal Palace of Durrës; Royal Villa of Durrës; Burgajet Castle
Pretender(s)	Leka, Crown Prince of Albania; Leka, Prince of Albania

This is an archontological list of Albanian monarchs, containing monarchs of the medieval Albanian principalities, Albanian kingdoms and to heads of state of modern Albania. Starting from the first established monarch Progon of Kruja from the Progoni family who ruled the Principality of Arbanon starting in 1190. Throughout history, the monarchs of Albania have held multiple titles, often Latin or Byzantine, and in rare instances, Slavic. Some of these titles include King of Albania, Prince of Albania, Despot, and Sebastokrator. Members of the medieval Albanian monarchy were integral to the formation of the Albanian nobility. The monarchy in Albania was abolished on the 8th of September, 1943.

Quick Facts Monarchy of Albania, Details ...

^TitleName	Reign	Notes
^{Lord of Krujë} Progoni	1190–1198	Progon was the first known Albanian ruler of the first ever known Albanian State. He is mentioned to carry the Byzantine title of Archon in the Geziq inscription.
^{Lord of Krujë} Gjin Progoni	1198–1208	Eldest son of Progoni.
^{Prince of Albania} Dhimitër Progoni	1208–1216	Youngest son of Progoni. He secured further independence for Arbanon and extended the Principality to its maximum height.

Image	Name	Notes
	^{Lord of Deabolis and Debar} Pal Gropa	Pal Gropa, also known as Paul or Paulo Gropa, (Pal Gropa) was an Albanian feudal ruler of Ohrid and Dibër from the 13th century and a member of the Gropa family. He held the title of Sebastos.
	^{Lord of Ohrid} Andrea II Gropa	Andrea Gropa was a 14th-century Albanian nobleman who ruled the region and the city of Ohrid, first as a minor vassal for a very short time (župan) to Serbian King Vukašin Mrnjavčević (r. 1365–1371), then as independent after 1370. He was a rival to Prince Marko and together with Andrea II Muzaka managed to take Prilep and Kostur from him. He hailed from the noble Gropa family.
	Zacharia Gropa	Zacharia Gropa (Albanian: Zeqiri Gropaj) was an Albanian nobleman who lived during the 15th-century and member of the Gropa family who historically ruled over parts of modern-day Albania and North Macedonia. He was a military commander who served in the forces of Skanderbeg during Skanderbeg's rebellion. He was also an associate of Moisi Dibra.
	Pal II Gropa
	Andrea I Gropa
	Aidin Gropa	Lord of Vrezhda sometime during the 14th century.

^TitleName	Reign	Notes
^{King of Albania} Charles I of Anjou	1272–1285	Charles of Anjou established the Kingdom of Albania in 1271 through diplomatic efforts and alliances with local Albanian leaders. In February 1272, a delegation of Albanian nobles and citizens from Durrës reached Charles's court, where he signed a treaty declaring himself the King of Albania "by common consent of the bishops, counts, barons, soldiers, and citizens." The treaty solidified the union between the Kingdom of Albania and the Kingdom of Sicily under Charles of Anjou, who, with the title of "King of Albania," promised to protect the Albanians and honor their Byzantine privileges.
^{King of Albania} Charles II of Naples	1285–1294	Charles II of Naples inherited the title "King of Albania" from his father, Charles I of Anjou after his death. Charles II assumed this claim as part of his broader inheritance, which included territories in Italy and France. In August 1294, Charles II then passed his rights on Albania to his son Philip I, Prince of Taranto.
^{King of Albania} Philip I, Prince of Taranto	1294–1331	After gaining the rights of Albania from his father Charles II of Naples in 1294. Philip reigned as Lord of the Kingdom of Albania and solidifying his position as the ruler of the kingdom. In November 1294, Philip I strengthened ties with the Epirote Despot Nikephoros I by marrying his daughter, thereby renewing the longstanding alliance between the Kingdom of Albania and Epirus. Although his initial plans to recover Angevin's domains were delayed due to his imprisonment by Frederick III of Sicily in 1299, Philip I, upon his release in 1302, actively pursued reclaiming the Albanian kingdom. With the support of local Albanian Catholics and Pope Benedict XI, he successfully regained control of Durrës and granted privileges to the citizens and nobility. Despite facing challenges and territorial restrictions, Philip I played a crucial role in maintaining the Kingdom of Albania and defending it against external pressures.
^{King of Albania} Robert, Prince of Taranto	1331–1332	Robert of Taranto inherited the title Lord of the Kingdom of Albania after the death of his father, Philip I, in 1331. His uncle, John, Duke of Durazzo, who did not want to swear fealty to Robert for the Principality of Achaea, arranged to surrender Achaea to Robert in exchange for his rights to the diminished Kingdom of Albania and a loan of 5,000 ounces of gold raised upon Niccolo Acciaiuoli.
^{Duke of Durrës} John, Duke of Durazzo	1332–1336	After acquiring the Kingdom of Albania from his nephew Robert, Prince of Taranto in 1332, John of Gravina, also known as John of Anjou, assumed the title of Duke of Durrës. While the available information doesn't offer detailed insights into his specific actions or policies in Albania, it's known that he never used a royal title "Regnum Albaniae" during his rule.
^{Duke of Durrës} Charles, Duke of Durazzo	1336–1348	Charles of Durrës inherited the title of Duke of Durrës and Count of Gravina from his father, John, after his death. His rule in Albania is not extensively documented. However, it's known that Charles was part of the faction that opposed Joan I of Naples and Louis of Taranto.
^{Duchess of Durrës} Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo	1348–1368	Joanna of Durazzo's rule as Duchess of Durrës began in 1348 when she inherited the title from her father when she was only four years old. However, she initially remained in Naples rather than going to Durrës when she became Duchess. It wasn't until her Marriage to Louis of Navarre that she began to get involved in the affairs in the Kingdom of Albania.
^{Duke of Durrës} Louis, Duke of Durazzo	1366–1368,1376	Louis of Évreux, also known as Louis of Navarre, became Duke of Durrës in 1366 through his marriage to Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo. His reign in Albania was marked by efforts to recover the Kingdom of Albania, which included Durrës. With the support of his brother Charles II of Navarre and the King of France, Louis aimed to reclaim Durrës, after being taken by Karl Thopia in 1368. In 1372, he enlisted the assistance of the Navarrese Company of mercenaries, recruiting additional forces in 1375 directly from Navarre. Through strategic military planning and engineering, they successfully captured Durrës in the summer of 1376. However, Louis died shortly after this achievement. Louis and Joanna had no children. Joanna never fully regained full control of Durrës and in 1383 the city was back in the hands of Karl Thopia when the last mercenaries of the Navarrese Company moved to Greece. Louis left behind an illegitimate son, Carlos de Beaumont, who later played a role in the Navarrese Civil War.
^{Duke of Durrës} Robert IV of Artois, Count of Eu	1376-1383	Robert IV of Artois, became Duke of Durrës in 1376 through his marriage to Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo. His tenure as Duke lasted until 1383, a period marked by political turbulence and conflict. In 1383, Robert's rule in Durrës came to an abrupt end when Karl Thopia, an Albanian nobleman, took control of the city.

^TitleName	Reign	Notes
^{Sebastokrator and Marshal of Albania} Andrea I Muzaka	1279–1319	Received the title Sebastokrator by the Byzantine Emperor and his reign was de facto independent until 1319.
^{Protosebastus} Teodor I Muzaka	1319–1331	Son of Andrea I Muzaka
^{Despot of Albania} Andrea II Muzaka	1331–1372	Andrea II, much like his father, fulfilled the role of the Angevins' titular marshal in Albania. Apart from being acknowledged as despotus Regni Albaniae (the despot of the Kingdom of Albania) and Marshal of Albania by the Angevins, he also held several other titles, including sebastokrator.
^{Prince of Berat} Teodor II Muzaka	1372–1389	Son of Andrea II. Participated in the Battle of Kosovo. Teodor II was in territorial dispute over Kostur with Prince Marko and because this dispute he was commemorated in Serbian epic poetry as Musa Kesedžija.
^{Lord of Berat} Andrea III Muzaka	1389–1396	Father of Theodor Corona Musachi
^{Lord of Berat} Teodor III Muzaka	1396–1450	He was an Albanian nobleman who led the 1437–38 revolt against the Ottomans and was one of the founders of the League of Lezhë in 1444.

Picture	^TitleName	Reign	Notes
	^{Sebastokrator & Lord of Karavasta} Blasius Mataranga	1358-1367	Blasius established an independent principality from 1358 to 1367 in the Myzeqe region between Durrës and Vlorë. He was recognized as Sebastokrator by Simeon Uroš Palaiologos
	^{Lord of Karavasta} Gjon Mataranga	1367-13??	Son of Blasius, after his father's death, Gjon inherited a small portion of his father's lands.

Picture	^TitleName	Reign	Notes
	^{Despot of Valona} John Komnenos Asen	1345–1363	John Komnenos Asen, ruling the Principality of Valona from around 1345 to 1363. John assumed power in Valona in late 1345, following the Serbian conquest of south Albania from the Byzantine Empire, concluded by August 1345. This transition marked a significant shift in regional governance, as the local Albanian rulers, who were in power before the Serbian conquest, lost their influence. John was Born into Bulgarian nobility, John's descent from the Asen dynasty and marriage to Anna Palaiologina strengthened his position. He preserved Valona's independence during the Serbian Civil War after Stephen Dušan died in 1355. His reign, marked by economic prosperity and strategic alliances, ended with his death during the 1363 plague, leaving a legacy continued by his son Alexander Komnenos Asen.
	^{Sebastos of Valona} Alexander Komnenos Asen	1363–1372	Alexander Komnenos Asen, son of Despot John Komnenos Asen and nephew of Emperor Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria, inherited the titles of Sebastos of Valona. His rule was characterized by extensive trade with Venice and Ragusa. The circumstances of his death are speculated to be at the Battle of Maritsa on 26 September 1371, as his lands were later controlled by his father-in-law Balša II by 1372.

^TitleName	Reign	Notes
^{Despot of Valona} Balsha II	1372–1385	In 1372, Balsha II wed Comita, the daughter of Andrea II Muzaka. As part of the marriage arrangement, Balsha received the city of Vlorë, as a dowry.
^{Lady of Valona} Comita Muzaka	1385–1396	After the death of Balsha II, his widow Comita, along with their daughter, assumed control of Balsha's territory in southern Albania to safeguard it from Ottoman threats. Komnina played a significant role as the main ruler of the Duchy of Valona until her demise in 1396. During this period, the Muzaka family took control of Berat. In 1391, Rugjina married Mrkša Žarković, who succeeded as the lord of Valona.
^{Lord of Valona} Mrkša Žarković	1396–1414	Mrkša Žarković, ruled over Valona from 1396 to 1414. After marrying Rugjina Balsha in 1391 and receiving Valona as part of the dowry, he maintained control until his death. Following Mrkša's demise in October 1414, his wife Rugjina Balsha took control of Valona.
^{Lady of Valona} Rugjina Balsha	1414–1417	After taking control of Valona. Rugjina sought to transfer her husbands old possessions to the Republic of Venice in 1415 and 1416, but no agreement was reached. The Ottoman Empire eventually conquered Valona and the surrounding region in 1417.

^TitleName	Reign	Notes
^{Lord of Zeta} Balsha I	1356–1362	Balsha I was a provincial lord of Zeta and the founder of the Balsha noble family. He expanded his power following the death of Stefan Dušan, gaining control of the island of Mljet and lands in Lower Zeta. By 1362, his sons had defeated Đuraš Ilijić, expanding their territory into Upper Zeta. Balsha had three sons, Strazimir Balsha, Gjergj Balsha I, and Balsha II.
^{Lord of Zeta} Strazimir Balsha	1362–1373	Strazimir Balsha was a Lord of Zeta alongside his brothers. The Balsha family took control of Zeta during the decline of the Serbian Empire. Strazimir supported Ragusa in conflicts and became a Ragusan citizen in 1361. He later took monastic vows and died on 15 January 1373. He left three sons.
^{Lord of Zeta} Gjergj I Balsha	1362–1378	Gjergj Balsha I was the middle child of three sons of Balsha I and ruled Zeta from 1362 until 13 January 1378. Gjergj waged war against the Thopia family, was captured, and later released through Ragusan mediation. In 1369, he converted to Catholicism to strengthen his coastal ambitions. He attempted to take Kotor and gained territories from Nikola Altomanović through either conquest or negotiation. Gjergj I died in 1378, and his brother Balsha II succeeded him as ruler of Zeta.
^{Lord of Zeta} Balsha II	1378–1385	Balsha II was the youngest son of Balsha I and ruled Lower Zeta from 1378 to 1385. In 1372, Balsha II married Komnena Asen, gaining control of Valona, Berat, and Kanina. After succeeding his brother Gjergj I in 1378, Balsha II struggled against rival noble families and Venice. In 1385, he captured Durrës but was defeated and killed by the Ottomans at the Battle of Savra. His widow, Komnina, and daughter, Rugjina Balsha, later defended his territories against Ottoman advances.
^{Lord of Zeta} Gjergj II Balsha	1385–1403	Gjergj Balsha II, was the Lord of Zeta from 1385 to 1403. He is the son of Strazimir Balsha. He inherited Zeta after his uncle Balsha II died. During his reign, Gjergj faced significant challenges, including rebellions, territorial losses, and the growing threat of the Ottoman Empire. He formed strategic alliances, notably with Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović through marriage. Despite his efforts to maintain control, he lost substantial territories and was briefly imprisoned by the Ottomans. After his death in 1403, he was succeeded by his son, Balsha III.
^{Lord of Zeta} Balsha III	1403–1421	Balsha III, the last ruler of Zeta reigned from April 1403 to April 1421. He was the son of Gjergj II Balsha. At seventeen, Balsha inherited the throne after his father's death. During his reign, Balsha waged a prolonged conflict with Venice known as the First Scutari War, which saw him lose and then partially regain territories such as Ulcinj, Bar, and Budva. He briefly became a vassal of the Ottoman Turks but continued to contest Venetian control over Dalmatia. In 1412, he successfully recaptured Bar from the Venetians. Balsha's later years were marked by continuous warfare, and he ultimately failed to reclaim Budva. In 1421, he transferred control of Zeta to his uncle, Despot Stefan Lazarević, before his death. Balsha married twice, first to Mara Thopia and then to Boglia Zaharia, and had several children, including Jelena Balsha, who would later marry Stjepan Vukčić Kosača.

^TitleName	Reign	Notes
^Despot Gjin Bua Shpata	1374–1399	Gjin started the Shpata dynasty of the Despotate. He united the Albanian Despotates of Arta and Angelocastron after the death of Pjetër Losha.
^{Lord of Angelokastron} Paul Boua Spata	1403-1407	He was the son of Sgouros Spata and ruled over the cities of Angelokastron and Naupaktos.
^{Lord of Arta} Skurra Bua Shpata	1399–1403	Brother of Gjin Bua Shpata.
^{Lord of Arta} Muriq Shpata	1403–1415	Grandson of Gjin Bua Shpata and had one brother Jakob Bua Shpata.
^{Lord of Arta} Jakob Bua Shpata	1415–1416	The last ruler of the Despotate of Arta.

Principality of Arbanon (1190–1257)

House of Kamona

Unknown

Principality of Gropa (1258–????)

Principality of Blinishti (13th century–1330)

Kingdom of Albania (1272–1368 &amp; 1376-1383)

Principality of Muzaka (1279–1450)

Principality of Mataranga (1358–1367)

Principality of Gjonima (1319–1430)

Principality of Albania (1328–1415)

Principality of Vlorë (1345–1417)

House of Balsha, House of Muzaka & House of Žarković

Principality of Zeta (1356–1421)

Despotate of Angelokastron and Lepanto (1358–1374)

Despotate of Arta (1360–1416)

Losha dynasty

Principality of Gjirokastër (1386—1418)

Principality of Dukagjini (1387–1479)

Principality of Arianiti (????–1462)

Principality of Kastrioti (1389–1444)

Principality of Zaharia (1396–1447)

Principality of Spani (1400-1442)

Principality of Dushmani (1402-1444)

League of Lezhë (1444–1479)

Pashalik of Shkodra (1757–1831)

Pashalik of Berat (1774–1809)

Pashalik of Ioannina (1788–1822)

Principality of Albania (1914-1925)

Heads of House of Wied (1914–1973, not ruling)

Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939)

House of Zogu (1939–1945)

Italian Occupied Albanian Kingdom (1939–1943)

See also

Bibliography

References

External links

Kingdom of Albania (1272–1368 & 1376-1383)