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Principality of Muzaka
Medieval Despotate, in area that is now Albania From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Principality of Muzaka (Albanian: Principata e Muzakajve),[1] also known as the Lordship of Berat, was an independent realm ruled by the Albanian Muzaka family with its capital at Berat, covering territories in Central and Southern Albania, Western Macedonia and Northern Greece. One of the first rulers was Andrea I Muzaka whose reign was recognized by the Byzantine Emperor. During the Battle of Savra, the Ottomans captured Berat from Balša II, together with Kruja and Ulcinj. They soon retreated from all of those towns keeping only Castoria under their permanent control.[2] Some sources explain that Ottomans probably remained in Berat with intention to use it as foothold to capture Valona.[3] By 1396 Muzaka family took over control of Berat.[4] In 1417 the territories of the Principality, including Vlorë and Berat, became a part of the Ottoman Empire.[5]
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History
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Early History
It's uncertain when the Muzaka family started to rule over Berat, however one of the first notable rulers known so far is Andrea I Muzaka who ruled over the region of Myzeqe. Principality of Berat separates into two periods of time, between the period of 1279 to 1343, and 1355 to 1417. Andrea I Muzaka established a de facto independent rule over Berat, he was also formally recognized by the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos as he held the high Byzantine court title of sebastokrator. Some notable regions that were part of the Principality of Berat during this period are: Devoll, Berat, Skrapar, Tomorica, Selanica, Myzeqe, Korçe etc.[6][verification needed].
Rule of Andrea II
The Principality of Berat reached the peak of its power during the rule of Andrea II Muzaka who, according to the chronicle of Gjon Muzaka, defeated King Vukasin at Pelister, modern day North Macedonia, and was awarded with the title of Despot by the Emperor of Constantinople, the second highest title just below to that of Emperor. Andrea II expanded his territory to the maximum extent it would reach: from the Adriatic Sea between the Vjosa river and Devoll to the east, including Korça. In 1343 the Principality of Berat was conquered by the new Serbian Empire, but was recreated after that empire's fall in 1355. In an alliance with the Đurađ I Balšić, and the great lord of Ohrid Andrea Gropa, in 1372 Andrea Muzaka managed to also conquer Kostur from Prince Marko.[7]
Decline and Ottoman invasion
After the death of Andrea, the rule was passed to his son Teodor II Muzaka who in 1389 is said to have taken place in the Battle of Kosovo which had a great impact to the principality like to all other Albanian principalities of that time. Berat was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1417, but the Muzaka family would briefly regain their control in central Albania in 1444 after their alliance with Skanderbeg in the League of Lezhë, however after 6 years their territory would eventually be incorporated into the Ottoman Empire which would end the centuries-reign of the Muzaka noble family in Berat.
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Politics and Influence
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Angevin Alliance and property in Durrës
Sometime before 1335, Andrea II was recognised with the title of Despot by the Byzantines, who still ruled over most Albanian territories despite the increasing independence of local Albanian rulers. During the years of 1335-1341, Andrea II led a revolt against the Byzantines in southern Albania. Andrea II had simultaneously allied himself with the Angevins of Naples, signing an agreement with Louis, the nephew of King Robert, on 30 December 1336. As part of this agreement, Andrea II swore fealty to the Neapolitan king, who in turn confirmed Andrea II’s titles and his right to rule over the lands granted to him by the Byzantines. Additionally, one of his sons was to be kept as a royal hostage by the Angevins in Durrës.[8] Also, as part of this agreement, members of the Muzaka family were allowed to travel freely to and from Angevin-controlled Durrës, and the friendly ties between the two noble families remained up until the Muzaka family fled from the Ottoman conquest of Albania.[9] Andrea II also had noticeable influence in the city of Durrës, where he exercised his right to freely travel to the city and conduct business, as well as owning real estate in the city.[8]
Religious Foundations
Rulers of the Muzaka had also made significant religious constructions. In Kastoria (modern-day Greece), the two brothers, Teodor II Muzaka and Stoya Muzaka, had constructed the Church of St. Athanasius of Mouzaki after their father Andrea II conquered it from the Serbian King Marko Mrnjavcevic.
Another notable construction was the Holy Trinity Church, Lavdar, which was built in 1470 by Chiranna Zenevisi,[10] the consort of the principality, and her husband Andrea III Muzaka. Gjin II Muzaka also built the Saint Mary church in Bungë (English: Sessile oak forest) near the village Zerec, few km from Lavdar. He was buried by this church, as were his wife and his mother Chiranna.[11][10] In the same fashion, their descendants built another church dedicated to Saint George in the nearby Arostë (Erosto).[10]
Political Marriages
To extend the influence of the principality, a series of political marriages occurred between the Muzaka and other influential Albanian families. Teodor I Muzaka had married a daughter of “Paul of Ohrid” whom historians consider to may have been the Albanian noble Pal Gropa. Another marriage occurred with the Gropa family between Chiranna Muzaka and Andrea Gropa. According to the Albanian chronicler Gjon Muzaka, after the death of Andrea Gropa, he had left no heirs, thus his domains became annexed by the Muzaka principality through the rights of his widow, Chiranna. Other marriages between different noble families have occurred with the Arianiti, Dukagjini, Mataranga, Balsha and the Zenebishi.
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References
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