Muzaka-Serbian Conflict

The Muzaka-Serbian Conflict was a series of armed engagements and battles throughout the Middle Ages fought by the Albanian Principality of Muzaka against the Serbian Empire, during a span of around 20 years.

Background

After the weakening of the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Empire in the middle and late 13th century, the northern territory of modern-day Albania became part of Serbia. Firstly, as part of Serbian Grand Principality and later as part of Serbian Empire. Serb control in southern Albania is unclear. Some suggest they acquired towns, but others believe they only obtained submission, possibly nominal, from Albanian tribes. Central and southern Albanian towns were not conquered until 1343–45. Between 1272 and 1368, some areas of the modern-day state were also ruled by the Angevins as the Kingdom of Albania. In the late 14th century, Albanian Principalities were created throughout Albania.

Albanians often played a role in the medieval Serbian army. Emperor Stefan Dušan was known to have recruited light cavalry composed of 15,000 Albanians, armed with spears and swords.

Events

During the Serbian occupation of Albania under Stefan Dušan, one of the most notable resistances was that of the Muzaka Principality led by Andrea II Muzaka.
The Muzaka forces besieged and eventually captured the city of Berat in 1350, forcing the Serbian governor of the lands between Berat and Vlora, John Komnenos Asen, to retreat to Kanina. Around the same time Andrea II Muzaka was able to capture the plains of Myzeqe from the Serbian forces. The name of the land derives from the battle, with "Myzeqe" meaning "Vendi i Muzakajve" (Land of the Muzaka). During the conflict the Muzaka forces also had support from the Anjou, with whom they allied in 1336, with a compromise of the Anjou capturing Durrës.

After the death of Stefan Dušan and the fall of the Serbian Empire in 1355, Serbian rule in Albania weakened, leading to Andrea II defeating the Serbian forces and capturing Korça and Devoll.

Sometime after 1363, after the death of John Komnenos Asen, Andrea Muzaka defeated the Serbian forces led by John's son, Despot Alexander Komnenos Asen, capturing Vlorë and Kaninë.

With help from the Balšić family, in 1369 or 1370 the Principality of Muzaka defeated the Serbian army under King Vukašin in Pelister, capturing the Serbian noble as a Prisoner of War.

Between 1370 and 1372, with help from Albanian nobility, the Muzaka forces once again defeated the Serbian army led by Vukašin's son Prince Marko in Pelister, capturing the city.

Aftermath

In the summer of 1371, Vukašin marched to Zeta, to support his relative Đurađ Balšić in his war against Nikola Altomanović. His army was in Skadar, waiting for naval support from the Republic of Ragusa. Uglješa Mrnjavčević received information that the majority of Ottoman forces left Europe and marched to Anatolia. He decided it was a good time to execute his offensive plans and asked Vukašin for help. Vukašin left Skadar with his army and joined Uglješa. They marched against Adrianople.Fine, J. V. A. ''The Late Mediaeval Balkan's''
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The Serbian army numbered between 50,000 and 70,000 men. Despot Uglješa wanted to make a surprise attack on the Ottomans in their capital city, Edirne, while Murad I was in Asia Minor. The Ottoman army was much smaller, Byzantine Greek scholar Laonikos Chalkokondyles and different sources give the number of 800 up to 4,000 men, but due to most of the Serbian soldiers becoming intoxicated, Şâhin Şahin Paşa conducted a night raid on the Serbian camp, slaughtering a large part of the Serbian Army, killing King Vukašin and despot Uglješa. Thousands of Serbs were killed, and thousands drowned in the Maritsa river when they tried to flee. After the battle, it was said, the Maritsa ran scarlet with blood.

See also

* Albanian-Anjou Conflict
* Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347
* Battle of Achelous (1359)

References

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Medieval history of the Balkans
Medieval history of Albania
Medieval history of Serbia
Wars involving Albania
Wars involving Serbia