Andrea II Muzaka
Andrea II Muzaka, was an Albanian noble of the Muzaka family and the ruler of the Principality of Muzaka. His grandfather is known as one of the first notable rulers of the principality and also the titular "Marshal of Albania". His father was Teodor I Muzaka or "Keshetsi" (Gërshetësi) which means "the one with braided hair". Andrea is known as a prominent medieval Albanian noble, contributing to resistance against the empire of Serbia. After the death of Stefan Dušan and the rise of Ottoman threats against Serbian Empire, Muzaka managed to seize control over its former lost territory. This newly independent domain soon became a part of the Ottoman Empire.
Andrea II Muzaka | |
|---|---|
| Despot of Albania | |
 Andrea II Muzaka on a fresco in the Church of St. Athanasius of Mouzaki, Kastoria | |
| Reign | 1331-1372 |
| Predecessor | Teodor I Muzaka |
| Successor | Teodor II Muzaka |
| Born | 1319 |
| Died | 1372 St Anthony Church, Durrës |
| Noble family | House of Muzaka |
| Spouse(s) | Euphemia Matranga |
| Issue | Lord Gjin Muzaka Teodor II, Lord of Myzeqe Stoia, Lord of Castoria Comita, Lady of Zeta Chiranna, Lady of Ohër and Dibra |
| Father | Teodor I Muzaka |
Rule
First reign
Andrea II Muzaka came from the wealthy noble family of Muzaka in southern Albania. His grandfather Andrea I Muzaka established a de facto independent territorial rule around 1280 in the area Myzeqe, west of Berat, later named after the family. Andrea was succeeded by Teodor or "Këshetsi". Teodor's son, Andrea II would become the most prominent ruler of the Muzaka noble family in medieval era. Like his father, Andrea II served the Angevins as the marshal of Albania. He held various other titles such as sebastokrator, and despotus Regni Albaniae (despot of Albania) from the Angevins. At the beginning of his rule he exercised nominal control over much of the country of Adriatic sea between Vjosa and Devoll rivers eastwards. In practice this continued to be dominated by the historic Albanian noble families who paid little heed to Muzaka's authority.[1][2]
As soon as Andrea II Muzaka had obtained the title of despot, he endorsed an anti-Byzantine revolt (1335-1341) in his domains, and also formed an alliance with the Anjou from Naples on 30 December 1336, whereas he was recognized as a vassal of Robert, Prince of Taranto. As proof of his fidelity to the Capetian House of Anjou, Andrea II Muzaka had to leave one of his sons as hostage in Durazzo.
Resistance against the Serbian Empire
During the period 1341-1347 the Byzantine Empire was going through a deep civil war which allowed the Serbian nobility to grow in power and expand into the southern Balkans. The despot Andrea attempted resistance and formed various alliances with other Albanian noble families and with the Angevins as well. In 1336, the growing Serbian Empire under Stefan Dušan captured Angevin-controlled Durazzo. Although the Angevins managed to recapture Durazzo, Dušan continued his expansion, and in the period of 1337—45 he had captured Kanina and Valona.[3] Muzaka waged war against the Serbian forces around 1340 and his forces managed to defeat a Serbian military unit at the Pelister mountain.[3] Muzaka captured Berat in 1350 by defeating the forces of Stefan Dušan.[4] It is uncertain whether the Serb troops were able to capture any towns or exert control over the southern Albanian area, despite their incursions into the region.[3] Although some historians attribute the acquisition of several towns to this period, others suggest that the Serbs only obtained submission, which may have been nominal, from different Albanian tribes.[3] The Serbs may have gained control of Kanina and Valona by 1337, but it is more probable this was not until 1343-45.[3]
Second reign
After the death of Stefan Dušan in 1355 and collapse of the Serbian Empire, the despot Andrea gained control over parts of south-eastern modern-day Albania and significantly expanded the principality over northern Greece after the Battle of Marica in 1371. In the same year Muzaka and Andrea Gropa together waged war against Prince Marko, capturing Kastoria.[5][6] Andrea II Muzaka gained a victory over Prince Marko, capturing him in battle and imprisoning him for several months before a ransom was paid to release him.[7] The loss of territory that Prince Marko suffered during the war significantly weakened his state and hindered his ability to raise new armies.[6] Andrea would die in 1372 and the rule would be passed to his son Teodor II.
Family
Andrea II married Lady Euphemia Matranga (Albanian: Efimia Matrënga) also called: Eythvmia, Etinia or Onorata; who was the daughter of Paul Matranga, Lord of Ghora. The couple had five children:
•Gjin Muzaka (* around 1337; † 1389), who inherited most of his fathers lands, with the exception of Berat, Myzeqe and Castoria. He married Lady Suina Arianiti-Comneniates, a daughter of Lord Materango Arianiti, with whom he had 5 sons:
- Andrew III Muzaka
- Materango Muzaka
- Blaise Muzaka
- Bogdan Muzaka
- Laldi Muzaka
- Teodor II Muzaka (* 1337; † after 1389), who inherited Myzeqe and Berat
- Lord Stoia († after 1384), who inherited Kastoria as well as its villages and estates. Unfortunately, he died early with no heirs, therefore his lands were passed down to his elder brother Gjin.
- Lady Comita Muzaka († 1392)
- Lady Chiranna Muzaka (also: Kyranna), who married Lord Groppa of Ohër and Dibra. The couple had no living issue, thus their property was inherited by the Muzakas.
Despot Andrea II and his wife Despotess Euphemia were both buried in the town of Durrës, within the Church of Saint Anthony, to the right side of the main altar, in a beautiful grave made of marble and containing the following epitaph : 'Here lies Lord Andrew Molosachi, Despot of Epirus'.
See also
References
- Lala 2008, p. 137.
- Stair Sainty 2018, p. 501.
- Fine, John V. A. (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. pp. 290–291. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5.
- Historia e popullit shqiptar (in Albanian). Botimet Toena. 2002. ISBN 978-99927-1-622-9.
- Gillian Gloyer (1 June 2010). Albania (in Spanish). Alhena Media. p. 103. ISBN 978-84-92963-50-8.
Tras la muerte de Stefan Dušan en 1355, el área que se corresponde con el sureste de la actual Albania y hasta Kastoria (que hoy en día pertenece a Grecia) cayó en manos de la familia Muzaka de Berati, uno de los poderosos clanes
- John V. A. Fine; John Van Antwerp Fine (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 380. ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5.
... Andrew Musachi .... took Kastoria from Marko...
- Prifti, Leonard (2010). Shqiptarët, grekët dhe serbët: kundër Shuflait (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "Uegen". ISBN 978-9928-03-018-4.
Sources
- Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania: A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN 3447047836.
- Lala, Etleva (2008), Regnum Albaniae, the Papal Curia, and the Western Visions of a Borderline Nobility (PDF), Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies
- Stair Sainty, Guy (2018). The Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Angeli, Farnese and Bourbon families which governed it. Boletín Oficial del Estado. ISBN 9788434025066.
- Jurlaro, Rosario (1970). I Musachi despoti d'Epiro: "in Puglia a salvamento" (in Italian). Ed. del Centro librario.