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 Muzaka as a noble person of the Muzaka family became the ruler of the principality after his father's death around 1331. Andrea is known as a prominent medieval Albanian noble and a hero who defeated the king Vukasin in a great battle thus promoting the nobility of the family's rule into a Despotate, being one of the main symbols of resistance against the short-lived growing empire of Serbia, and also significantly expanding the principality of Muzaka in southern Albania.[1]
Andrea II Muzaka came from the noble family of Muzaka, who were wealthy 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. After Andrea I, the next ruler would become Teodor or "Këshetsi", Teodor's son, Andrea II would become the most prominent ruler of the Muzaka noble family in medieval era. Andrea like his father served the Angevins as the marshal of Albania, however, he held various other titles such as sebastokrator, and even granter tittle such as despotus Regni Albaniae (despot of Albania) by the Anjous. At the beginning of his rule he exercised nominal rule over much of the country of Adriatic sea between Vjosa and Devoll rivers eastwards but in practice this continued to be dominated by the historic Albanian noble families who paid little heed to Muzaka's authority.[2][3]
Andrea held alliance both diplomatic and friendship with the Angevins, other noble members of family were always allowed to go to Durrës which at that time was held by the Anjou-durrazo family. According to the medieval Albanian historian Gjon Muzaka, Andrea would defeat the King Vukasin in a great battle, therefor in his honor it would be given to him the second highest title below to Emperor, that of Despot by the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, which he had been a great threat to him and his nominal weakening Empire, as well as the coat of arms of the Muzaka family would be replaced with the new double-headed eagle flag[1]
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 Serbians
The Pelister mountain where forces of Andrea Muzaka defeated the Serbian army
During the period 1341-1347 the Byzantine Empire was going through a deep civil war which hastened the Serbians to take advantage out of it and start an invasion all over into the southern Balkans. The despot Andrea held great resistance and formed various alliances with other Albanian noble families and with the Anjou as well. In 1336, the short-lived Serbian Empire under Stefan Dušan captured Angevin-controlled Durazzo. Although Angevins managed to recapture Durazzo, Dušan continued his expansion, and in the period of 1337—45 he had captured Kanina and Valona (in modern-day southern Albania).[4] Andrea Muzaka waged against the Serbian forces around 1340 and his forces managed to defeat the Serbian army at the Pelister mountain.[4] Andrea Muzaka with an alliance with the Gropa family would have several other successful campaigns against Dusan, however although in a short period of time his domains like with the other Albanian principalities would eventually be invaded by the Serbian King.[5]
Second reign
After the death of Stefan Dušan in 1355 and collapse of the short-lived Serbian Empire, the despot Andrea regained control over parts of the south-eastern modern-day Albania and significantly expanded the principality over northern Greece with Kastoria after the Battle of Marica in 1371 which he had captured from Prince Marko.[6][7] One year latter Andrea would die in 1372 and the rule would be passed to his son Teodor II, he would be buried with his wife in St. Anthony Church, Durrës
St Anthony Church in Durrës
Family
Andrea II Muzaka, Church of Saint Athanasius of Mouzaki, Kostur
Andrea II married Lady EuphemiaMatranga (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
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 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.
DespotAndrea II and his wife DespotessEuphemia 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'.
^ abFine, 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. ISBN978-0-472-08260-5.
^Gillian Gloyer (1 June 2010). Albania (in Spanish). Alhena Media. p. 103. ISBN978-84-92963-50-8. 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. ISBN978-0-472-08260-5. ... Andrew Musachi .... took Kastoria from Marko...
Sources
Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania: A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. ISBN3447047836.
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. ISBN9788434025066.
Jurlaro, Rosario (1970). I Musachi despoti d'Epiro: "in Puglia a salvamento" (in Italian). Ed. del Centro librario.
January 12, 2023
andrea, muzaka, albanian, noble, muzaka, family, ruler, principality, muzaka, grandfather, known, first, notable, rulers, principality, also, titular, marshal, albania, father, teodor, muzaka, keshetsi, gërshetësi, which, means, with, braided, hair, andrea, mu. 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 Gershetesi which means the one with braided hair Andrea Muzaka as a noble person of the Muzaka family became the ruler of the principality after his father s death around 1331 Andrea is known as a prominent medieval Albanian noble and a hero who defeated the king Vukasin in a great battle thus promoting the nobility of the family s rule into a Despotate being one of the main symbols of resistance against the short lived growing empire of Serbia and also significantly expanding the principality of Muzaka in southern Albania 1 Andrea II MuzakaDespot of AlbaniaAndrea II Muzaka on a fresco in the Church of St Athanasius of Mouzaki KosturReign1331 1372PredecessorTeodor I MuzakaSuccessorTeodor II MuzakaBorn1319Died1372St Anthony Church DurresNoble familyHouse of MuzakaSpouse s Euphemia MatrangaIssueLord Gjin MuzakaTeodor II Lord of MyzeqeStoia Lord of CastoriaComita Lady of ZetaChiranna Lady of Oher and DibraFatherTeodor I Muzaka Contents 1 Rule 1 1 First reign 1 2 Resistance against the Serbians 1 3 Second reign 2 Family 3 See also 4 References 4 1 SourcesRule EditFirst reign Edit Main article Lordship of Berat Andrea II Muzaka came from the noble family of Muzaka who were wealthy 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 After Andrea I the next ruler would become Teodor or Keshetsi Teodor s son Andrea II would become the most prominent ruler of the Muzaka noble family in medieval era Andrea like his father served the Angevins as the marshal of Albania however he held various other titles such as sebastokrator and even granter tittle such as despotus Regni Albaniae despot of Albania by the Anjous At the beginning of his rule he exercised nominal rule over much of the country of Adriatic sea between Vjosa and Devoll rivers eastwards but in practice this continued to be dominated by the historic Albanian noble families who paid little heed to Muzaka s authority 2 3 Andrea held alliance both diplomatic and friendship with the Angevins other noble members of family were always allowed to go to Durres which at that time was held by the Anjou durrazo family According to the medieval Albanian historian Gjon Muzaka Andrea would defeat the King Vukasin in a great battle therefor in his honor it would be given to him the second highest title below to Emperor that of Despot by the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire which he had been a great threat to him and his nominal weakening Empire as well as the coat of arms of the Muzaka family would be replaced with the new double headed eagle flag 1 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 Serbians Edit The Pelister mountain where forces of Andrea Muzaka defeated the Serbian army During the period 1341 1347 the Byzantine Empire was going through a deep civil war which hastened the Serbians to take advantage out of it and start an invasion all over into the southern Balkans The despot Andrea held great resistance and formed various alliances with other Albanian noble families and with the Anjou as well In 1336 the short lived Serbian Empire under Stefan Dusan captured Angevin controlled Durazzo Although Angevins managed to recapture Durazzo Dusan continued his expansion and in the period of 1337 45 he had captured Kanina and Valona in modern day southern Albania 4 Andrea Muzaka waged against the Serbian forces around 1340 and his forces managed to defeat the Serbian army at the Pelister mountain 4 Andrea Muzaka with an alliance with the Gropa family would have several other successful campaigns against Dusan however although in a short period of time his domains like with the other Albanian principalities would eventually be invaded by the Serbian King 5 Second reign Edit After the death of Stefan Dusan in 1355 and collapse of the short lived Serbian Empire the despot Andrea regained control over parts of the south eastern modern day Albania and significantly expanded the principality over northern Greece with Kastoria after the Battle of Marica in 1371 which he had captured from Prince Marko 6 7 One year latter Andrea would die in 1372 and the rule would be passed to his son Teodor II he would be buried with his wife in St Anthony Church Durres St Anthony Church in DurresFamily Edit Andrea II Muzaka Church of Saint Athanasius of Mouzaki Kostur Andrea II married Lady Euphemia Matranga Albanian Efimia Matrenga 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 who married King Balsha of Zeta Lady Chiranna Muzaka also Kyranna who married Lord Groppa of Oher 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 Durres 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 EditMuzaka FamilyReferences Edit a b Elsie 2003 p 34 Lala 2008 p 137 Stair Sainty 2018 p 501 a b 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 Braudel Fernand 1995 The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world in the age of Philip II Volume 2 p 664 ISBN 0 520 20330 5 Gillian Gloyer 1 June 2010 Albania in Spanish Alhena Media p 103 ISBN 978 84 92963 50 8 Tras la muerte de Stefan Dusan en 1355 el area que se corresponde con el sureste de la actual Albania y hasta Kastoria que hoy en dia pertenece a Grecia cayo 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 Sources Edit 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 Boletin Oficial del Estado ISBN 9788434025066 Jurlaro Rosario 1970 I Musachi despoti d Epiro in Puglia a salvamento in Italian Ed del Centro librario Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Andrea II Muzaka amp oldid 1127879739, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
