Principality of Muzaka
The Principality of Muzaka (Albanian: Principata e Muzakajve), 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. The principality was established in 1279 and fell to the Ottomans in 1450.
Lordship of Berat Principata e Muzakajve (Albanian) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1279–1450 | |||||||||
Coat of arms of the Muzaka Family
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Lands of the Muzaka and Arianiti families in the 14th century | |||||||||
| Status | Principality, Despotate | ||||||||
| Capital | Berat | ||||||||
| Common languages | Albanian | ||||||||
| Religion | Eastern Orthodoxy | ||||||||
| Prince/Despot | |||||||||
• 1279-1319 | Andrea I | ||||||||
• 1319–1331 | Teodor I | ||||||||
• 1331–1372 | Andrea II | ||||||||
• 1372–1389 | Teodor II | ||||||||
• 1389-1450 | Teodor III | ||||||||
| Historical era | Medieval | ||||||||
• Establishment | 1279 | ||||||||
• Serbian capture | 1343 | ||||||||
| 1372 | |||||||||
• First Ottoman capture | 1417 | ||||||||
• Revolt | 1437–38 | ||||||||
| 1444 | |||||||||
• Second Ottoman capture and dissolution | 1450 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Albania North Macedonia Greece | ||||||||
Their first ruler was Andrea I Muzaka who was awarded the title of Sebastokrator by the Byzantine Empire. He also took part in a revolt against the Kingdom of Serbia which ended in failure. The powee and influence of the Principality of Muzaka culminated under the rule of Andrea II. During the expansion of the Serbian Empire under Stefan Dušan in 1343, the Serbian forces captured Berat. Due to this, Andrea II had to submit to Dušan, however some sources state that his realm was fully conquered. Nevertheless in 1350, under Andrea II, the Muzaka sprung into a revolt against the Serbian Empire. By 1372 they achieved independence and their lands stretched from the Adriatic Sea to Korçë, and from the Devoll river to the Vjosa river. After the death of Andrea II, the principality would suffer a slow decline, which was bolstered by Ottoman incursions. The Ottomans conquered the lands of the Muzaka during a campaign between 1415–17. Teodor III Muzaka would attempt to reform the principality, and would even rebel against the Ottomans between 1437–38, however his attempts would end in failure, but despite this the Muzaka continued to have some governance in Berat. Teodor III and other members of the Muzaka family would take part in the League of Lezhë on 2 March 1444, after which they would declare independence from the Ottomans. The Principality of Muzaka would exist for another 6 years before being dissolved after the death of Teodor III and the Ottoman attack on Berat in 1450. The Muzaka family would keep governing Berat under the League of Lezhë until 1455 when the city was captured by the Ottomans after being besieged.
The principality also had considerable influence in the politics of medieval Albania. This was achieved through political marriages with other noble families and alliances with the Angevins, Gropa and Balšić. The Muzaka also possessed significant wealth, a big percentage of which was in the form of real estate in Durrës.