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Muzaka
The Muzaka family was an noble Albanian family that ruled over the region of Myzeqe (southern Albania) in the Late Middle Ages. The Muzaka are also referred to by some authors as a tribe or a clan. The earliest historical document that mentions the Muzaka family (around 1090) is written by the Byzantine historian Anna Komnene. At the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century members of the Muzaka family controlled a region between the rivers of Devoll and Vjosë. Some of them were loyal to the Byzantine Empire while some of them allied with Charles of Anjou who gave them (and some other members of Albanian nobility) impressive Byzantine-like titles (such as Sebastokrator) in order to subdue them more easily. In the 1340s, Stefan Dušan pressed further south into Albania, and by 1343-45 had taken central towns and territories in southern Albania, including domains of the Muzaka family. However, they would fall back under local control after his death in 1355. After the Bat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andrea II Muzaka
Andrea II Muzaka ( 1318–1372) 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 around 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from the southern Adriatic coastline of Albania in the west to Kastoria in the east by the time of his death in 1372. He was recognised as ''Despot of the Kingdom of Albania'' and as ''Marshal of Albania'' by the Angevin Kingdom of Albania in 1336-37. In the next decade, he led the resistance against the Serbian invasions of Albania, and after the fall of the Serbian Empire, he regained his former territories and began to expand again. During his wars against the Serbian successor states, Andrea II succeeded in defeating both Vukašin of Serbia and his son, Prince Marko, solidifying his family's principality. He was recognized as ''Despot of Epirus'' by the Byzant ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Teodor III Muzaka
Theodor Corona Musachi () or Teodor III Korona Muzaka, 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. Life Theodor Corona Musachi was а prominent member of the Muzaka family. They were rulers of the Principality of Muzaka, whose domains extended from Myzeqe till Kastoria, (modern-day Greece). According to John Muzaka's memoir, Theodor was the youngest son of Andrea III and his wife Chiranna Zenevisi, Lady of Grabossa. The couple had another son Lord Ginno II, who would become Lord John's father, as well as two daughters, Lady Maria and Lady Helena. Through his sister Maria, Theodor III was an in-law of Skanderbeg, who married his niece, Andronika Arianiti. In the chronicle, John Muzaka explained that Theodor inherited control over Berat from his father. However, the exact period of when the Muzaka family began to control the city, still remains unknown. Byzantine Eastern Roman source ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Principality Of Muzaka
The Principality of Muzaka (), also known as the Lordship of Berat, was an independent realm ruled by the Albanian principalities, Albanian Muzaka (family), Muzaka family with its capital at Berat, covering territories in Central Albania, 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 Empire, 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. Some sources explain that Ottomans probably remained in Berat with intention to use it as foothold to capture Valona. By 1396 Muzaka family took over control of Berat. In 1417 the territories of the Principality, including Vlorë and Berat, became a part of the Ottoman Empire. History It's uncertain when the Muzaka family started to rule over Berat, however one of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gjin II Muzaka
Gjin II Muzaka was an Albanian nobleman and son of Andrea III Muzaka and Chiranna Zenevisi, Lady of Grabossa. His father came from the wealthy noble Muzaka family whilst his mother came from the noble Zenevisi family and was a daughter of Albanian lord John Zenevisi. Life After the death of his father Andrea III, Gjin was the official heir to his father's throne and became the Lord of Tomorrica and Deabolis, bordering the domains of the noble Arianiti family. According to his son Gjon Muzaka in the Muzaka chronicles, Gjin and his family alongside his mother Chiranna were all “devout christians”. During the League of Lezhë he joined the forces of Skanderbeg against the Ottoman Empire. He fought^ ''Allgemeine Encyklopädie der Wissenschaften und Künste'', 1868, S. 134 and died shortly after the siege of Berat in 1445 mid-July. His lands were ultimately taken by Skanderbeg until the end of his revolt where Gjin's son, Gjon Muzaka, an Albanian chronicler, inherited his fat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gjin I Muzaka
Gjin I Muzaka (), was an Albanian Prince from the House of Muzaka. He held the majority of his father's holdings after his father's death and was the Lord of Tomorniza. As well as the Lord of Kastoria after his younger brother Stoya Muzaka died after 1384 leaving no heirs. Life Gjin I Muzaka was born into the House of Muzaka as the first and oldest son of Andrea II Muzaka and Euphemia Mataranga, who was from the Mataranga family. Upon the death of his father Andrea II, his lands were divided among his three sons, Gjin, Teodor II and Stoya. Gjin inherited the majority of his father's holdings, except for Berat, Myzeqe, and Kastoria. Teodor received Berat and Myzeqe, while Stoya inherited Kastoria along with its associated villages and estates. Issue Gjin I Muzaka married Lady Suina Arianiti-Comneniates who was the daughter of Lord Materango Arianiti Comneniates. The pair had seven children: * Andrea III Muzaka, married Chiranna Zenevisi, Lady of Grabo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maria Muzaka
Maria Muzaka was an Albanian princess from the Muzaka family. She was a daughter of Andrea III Muzaka and his wife Chiranna Zenevisi, Lady of Grabossa. From her marriage to Gjergj Arianiti, Maria had eight daughters, most notably of them were Andronika, Queen of Albania, and Saint Angjelina, Empress of Serbia. Early life When it comes to Maria Muzaka's early life, written documents are limited. She is thought to have been born around the 1410s in the prominent Muzaka family. They were rulers of the Principality of Muzaka in southern Albania. Her father was Prince Andrea III Muzaka, son of Gjin I Muzaka and Lady Suina Arianites Comneniates. Her mother, Chiranna "Anna" Zenevisi, is mentioned in Gjon Muzaka's Chronicles as Lady of Grabossa and a daughter of Giovanni Sarbissa (alb. Gjon Zenebishi), from the Zenevisi family who ruled Epirus, Zagoria and Argirocastron. Maria was the eldest daughter of the couple. She had two brothers Gjin II and Theodore III, as well as a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Teodor II Muzaka
Teodor II Muzaka (), was an Albanian Prince from the House of Muzaka, he was the Lord of Berat and Lord of Myzeqe. Life Teodor II Muzaka was born into the House of Muzaka as the second son of Andrea II Muzaka and Euphemia Mataranga, who was from the Mataranga family. Upon the death of his father Andrea II, his lands were divided among his three sons, Gjin I, Teodor II and Stoya. Gjin inherited the majority of his father’s holdings, except for Berat, Myzeqe, and Kastoria. Teodor received Berat and Myzeqe, while Stoya inherited Kastoria along with its associated villages and estates. Between 1383 and 1384, Theodor II, together with his brother Stoya and the monk Dionysius, had a Greek Orthodox church ( Church of St. Athanasius of Mouzaki) built in Kastoria, which was dedicated to Athanasius the Great. Succession He died fighting during the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 on the side of the anti-Ottoman coalition led by Lazar of Serbia. After his death the rule ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gjon Muzaka
Gjon Muzaka (fl. 1510; ) was an Albanian nobleman from the Muzaka family, that has historically ruled in the Myzeqe region, Albania. In 1510 he wrote the Muzaka chronicles (a ''Breve memoria de li discendenti de nostra casa Musachi''. The work was published in Karl Hopf's ''Chroniques gréco-romaines'', Paris 1873, pp. 270–340. According to his memoirs, Gjon's father died before Ottomans captured Berat in 1417. The memoir of Gjon Muzaka (1515) His memoir is considered to be the oldest substantial text written by an Albanian. It was originally written in Latin and his name was listed as Giovanni Musachi. In it he mentions several interesting things that were confirmed to have been accurate by Noel Malcolm. Among other things he claims that, according to family history, the name "Musachi" is derived from a corrupted form of the name "Molossachi", ancient tribesmen of Epirus known as the Molossians. Attached to the chronicle is a document from John’s son, Constantin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andrea I Muzaka
Andrea I Muzaka (; 12??1319), also known as Andrew Musachi was an Albanians, Albanian List of Albanian monarchs, Lord and member of the Muzaka family. Life Andrea I Muzaka was an influential Albanian nobility, Albanian lord and the founder of the Muzaka family, which became one of the principal feudal powers in central Albania. While the identities of his parents remain unknown, he emerged as a prominent ruler in Albania in the Middle Ages, medieval Albania, holding significant titles and territorial control. He held the Byzantine Empire, Byzantine title of Sebastokrator, Sevastokrator and was the Principality of Muzaka, Lord of Berat, as well as ruling over Myzeqe, establishing himself as a key figure in the region. He was appointed the title of Marshal of the Kingdom of Albania (medieval), Kingdom of Albania (Marescallus regni Albaniae), holding this position from 1280 to 1319. During this time, he was a vassal of the Kingdom of Naples, Angevin Kings of Naples, who held suzerai ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nicola Muzaka
Nicola Muzaka (), also known as Nikola, Nicolas or Nicolao was an Albanian nobleman and member of the Muzaka family. Life Nicola was the son of Teodor II Muzaka, the Lord of Berat and Myzeqe. The identity of his mother remains unknown, and not much is known about his early life. He later became the Lord of Devoll. In 1389, a tower known as Devoll Tower (or Pirgo, turris de Dievali) is mentioned in historical records, situated at the mouth of the Devoll River, with a customs office. The tower was initially tied to the conflict between Comita Muzaka of Vlorë and her nephew Nicola. At the time, following the death of Teodor II Muzaka in 1389, the rule of his domain passed to his nephew, Teodor III Muzaka, instead of his son Nicola, likely because Nicola had either died or was held captive by his aunt, Comita. When Nicola was captured during the war with Comita, his men refused to surrender the tower until his release, leading both parties to temporarily hand it over to the Vene ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Comita Muzaka
Comita Muzaka (), also known as Komnina, Komnena, Comnina or Komnene was an Albanian princess and member of the Muzaka family. Life Comita was the daughter of Andrea II Muzaka, who held the titles of Despot of Albania and Epirus, as well as Sebastokrator, from the noble Muzaka family. Her mother was Euphemia Mataranga, from the noble Mataranga family. She was the fourth youngest of five siblings, yet the eldest of the two daughters. However, little is known about her early life. She was married to Balsha II of the noble Balsha family in 1372. Andrea II Muzaka granted Balsha II control of Vlorë and Kaninë as part of a dowry following Balsha's marriage to Muzaka's daughter, Komita. This arrangement, made after the death of Alexander Komnenos Asen in 1371, also ensured Balsha's support against mutual enemies like Marko. It's unclear whether Muzaka had already conquered the cities or if Balsha was planning to take them, but the agreement solidified Balsha's claim to the terri ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stoya Muzaka
Stoya Muzaka (), also known as Stoja, was an Albanian nobleman, the Lord of Kastoria, and a member of the influential Albanian Muzaka family, which played a significant role in ruling parts of Southern Albania and Epirus. Life Stoya Muzaka was born into the House of Muzaka as the third and youngest son of Andrea II Muzaka and Euphemia Mataranga, who was from the Mataranga family. His father, Andrea II Muzaka, significantly expanded the Principality of Muzaka, with Berat as its capital. Under Andrea II's rule, the principality reached its greatest extent, covering the regions of Myzeqe, Berat, Tomorricë, Skrapar, Këlcyrë, Përmet, Opar, Devoll, Kolonjë, and Kastoria. Upon the death of his father Andrea II, his lands were divided among his three sons, Gjin I, Teodor II and Stoya. Gjin inherited the majority of his father’s holdings, except for Berat, Myzeqe, and Kastoria. Teodor received Berat and Myzeqe, while Stoya inherited Kastoria along with its as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
