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.
| Muzaka-Serbian Conflict | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the aftermath of the Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
Principality of Muzaka Support: Byzantine Empire Gropa family Principality of Polog Angevins Balšić family | Serbian Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Andrea II Muzaka |
Stefan Dušan King Vukašin (POW) (later released) Prince Marko Stefan Uroš V (WIA)  John Komnenos Asen Uglješa Mrnjavčević Gjin Dushku  | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Heavy | ||||||
Background
editAfter 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.[1] 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.[2]
Events
editDuring 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.[3] 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 who they alliead with in 1336, with a compromise of the Anjou capturing Durrës.[4]
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.[4]
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.[4][5][6][7][8]
Between 1370 and 1372, with help from Albanian nobility, the Muzaka forces once again defeated the Serbian amry led by Vukašin's son Prince Marko in Pelister, capturing the city.[4][9][10][11]
Aftermath
editIn 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.[12]
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
editReferences
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ David Nicolle; (1988) Hungary and the Fall of Eastern Europe 1000–1568 (Men-at-Arms) pp. 35, 37; Osprey Publishing, ISBN 0850458331
- ^ Anamali, Skënder (2002). Historia e popullit Shqiptar: gjatë shek. XVI -vitet 20 të shek. XIX. Tiranë: Botimet Toena. p. 294. ISBN 9992716223.
- ^ a b c d "Kush ishte Andrea II Muzaka". klikoje.al. 5 February 2021.
- ^ John V. A. Fine (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.
- ^ Soulis, George Christos (1984). The Serbs and Byzantium During the Reign of Tsar Stephen Dušan (1331-1355) and His Successors. Dumbarton Oaks Library and Collection. p. 142.
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania: a reader of historical texts ; 11th - 17th centuries. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz. p. 41. ISBN 9783447047838.
- ^ Muhadri, Bedri (2023). "Kosova në kuadrin e Principatës së Balshajve". Studime Historike. 74 (1–2): 43–45.
- ^ Dorian, Koçi (27 May 2020). "Shëmbëlltyra e Andrea Muzakës". batosot.info.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fine, J. V. A. The Late Mediaeval Balkan's, p. 379