European Kingdoms

(First) Kingdom of Albania / Duchy of Durazzo
AD 1272 - 1392

Eastern Europe All Modern States Caucuses Tribes Slavic Tribes The Rus / Old Russia

Much of the territory of the early Albanians (apart from the northernmost and southernmost sections) formed the province of Epirus Nova (Illyria Graeca) under the early Eastern Roman empire. It remained a Roman possession until imperial fragmentation allowed the formation of the principality of Arbanon within modern Albanian borders. This is sometimes claimed as the first Albanian state.

Formed in 1190, this was the period in which was mentioned recognisable Albanians as the term would be understood today, having given them around two millennia to develop that identity. Arbanon held the fortress of Krujë (or Kruja) as its military and administrative centre for the duration of the principality's existence.

That existence, though, was fragile. Venice and the Eastern Romans were the region's two biggest powers at this time, and both wanted Arbanon. Ultimately it was the Eastern Roman emperor in Epirus who seized control, and it was the rival power in Nicæa which ended the principality.

The '(First) Kingdom of Albania' was established just fifteen years later, in 1272, but its founding coincided with further turbulence in Balkans history as the Eastern Roman empire gradually collapsed. The growing power of Turkic states and various European interests fought over the scraps, especially the Bulgarians, Croatians, and Serbians. The kingdom lasted until its ever-diminishing territory saw it surrender to Venice in 1392. The Albanian League succeeded it after a gap of fifty-two years.

The kingdom's general territory covered ground between Durazzo (Dyrrhachium, today's Durrës) in the north and a deep coastal strip southwards to Butrint. One major attempt to advance the kingdom's borders towards the east failed at the Siege of Berat in 1280-1281. Instead the ruling Angevins lost much of the interior to an Eastern Roman counteroffensive.

The Sicilian Vespers uprising further weakened the Angevin position, and the kingdom was quickly reduced even further by the Eastern Romans to a much smaller territory around Durazzo. The Angevins held out there, being reduced in status to the position of duke, until 1368 when the city was captured by Karl Thopia. Ultimately the remaining territory was sold to Venice.

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information from The Horse, the Wheel, and Language: How Bronze-Age Riders from the Eurasian Steppes Shaped the Modern World, David W Anthony, from The Illyrians, John Wilkes (Blackwell Publishers Inc, 1995 & 1996), from Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi Epirotarum Principis, Marinus Barletius (Bernardinus de Vitalibus, 1508, in Latin), and from External Links: Indo-European Etymological Dictionary, J Pokorny, and Geography, Strabo (H C Hamilton & W Falconer, London, 1903, Perseus Online Edition), and The Illyrian Wars, Appian (Livius.org), and Hellenica World, and The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, John V A Fine Jr (John Van Antwerp Fine, 1994, and catalogued by Google Books).)

1272 - 1285

King. Senator of Rome (1263-1284). King of Naples.

1272

The much-travelled Charles of Anjou has spent a year carving out a territory which, in essence, replicates the former principality of Arbanon. Charles had acquired the rights to the region under the terms of the Treaty of Viterbo of 1267. He had also gained some rights to Latin dominions in the despotate of Epirus and in the Morea (not yet an Eastern Roman state of its own).

An icon showing four episodes from the life of Christ which was probably painted in Thessalonica, the most important artistic centre in the crumbling Eastern Roman empire after Constantinople itself

It had taken a further five years of diplomacy to be accepted by the Albanians themselves, following which he is declared king of Albania in 1272. This ties it in personal union Charles' kingdom of Naples.

However, things change in light of scheming by Eastern Roman Emperor Michael VIII of Constantinople, and a Michael-influenced order by Pope Gregory X for Charles to cease his building-up of Albania's strength. Charles begins replacing loyal Albanian nobles with Angevin loyalists, confiscating Albanian land, and excluding Albanian officials from governmental tasks.

1274 - 1276

With Eastern Roman Emperor Michael VIII capturing territory throughout Albania, Charles finds that he has also been politically outmanoeuvred. Pope Gregory X forbids him from opposing Michael's forces as the Second Council of Lyon has just agreed to a (swiftly abandoned) unification of Catholic and Orthodox churches, a goal of some centuries. Michael is able to seize the city of Berat, along with other territory.

St Bonaventure was present at the first four sessions of the Second Council of Lyon but he died in the town on 15 July 1274, while the council itself agreed on the reunification of the Orthodox and Catholic churches, although any hope of that actually taking place would soon be abandoned

1278 - 1280

The Eastern Roman presence in Butrint has alarmed Nicephoros I of Epirus, prompting him to open communications with Charles of Anjou and his vassal, William II of Villehardouin, prince of Achaea. Nicephoros I promises homage to Charles in return for land in Achaea.

To this end, Nicephoros' troops capture the city of Butrint in 1278 from Epirus and, in March 1279, he declares himself a vassal of Charles of Anjou. Charles is handed the castles of Sopot and Butrint.

With Pope Nicholas III dead in August 1280, Charles is free to make his own moves. Great stores of weapons are sent to Spinarizza, recently captured from the Eastern Romans and, in December 1280, the land around Roman-occupied Berat is seized by his forces as they besiege the city.

1281

Charles caps his recent military and political successes by appointing a French pope in the form of Pope Martin IV. This dangerous period of French domination in papal affairs will soon lead to the 'Great Schism'.

Pope Gregory XI ended the 'Babylonian Captivity' by bringing the papacy back to Rome from its temporary home at Avignon where it had been dominated by the kings of France

Emperor Michael VIII is excommunicated (largely irrelevant as he follows the Orthodox church) and is in difficulties on the battlefield. He sends a large Eastern Roman skirmishing force to Berat which manages to capture Charles' commander - Hugh de Scully - causing the Angevin forces to be routed and largely dispersed. Albanian nobles largely side with Michael.

1282

All of Charles' scheming with Venice to build up a retaliatory force which will capture Constantinople from the Eastern Romans comes to nothing. His fleet is docked at Sicily, part of his holdings within the Angevin kingdom of Naples, when the rebellion of the Sicilian Vespers massacres Angevins on the island and destroys the fleet.

1285 - 1294

King of Albania & Naples. Gradually lost most territory.

1288 - 1294

Charles II has been a prisoner of Aragon (until 1289). Having succeeded his father to various thrones, his commanders are unable to prevent the fall of Durazzo (Durrës) in 1288 to the Eastern Romans. Corfu and Butrint are lost, perhaps by 1292, while the fortress at Kaninë falls, probably in 1294. With most of the kingdom lost, Charles hands the remainder to his son, Philip, prince of Taranto.

The energetic Charles I, best known as Charles of Anjou, was a member of the royal Capetian dynasty and founder of the second 'House of Anjou', count of Provence and Forcalquier within the Holy Roman empire, count of Anjou and Maine in France, king of Sicily, prince of Achaea, and king of Albania

1294 - 1331

Son. 'Lord of the kingdom of Albania'.

1299 - 1301

When Phillip emerges from two years of captivity at the hands of Frederick III of Sicily, he swiftly recaptures Durazzo and grants the city certain beneficial rights, as it is now the main centre for the reduced lordship of Albania, soon to be better known as the duchy of Durazzo.

1331 - 1332

Son. 'Lord of the kingdom of Albania'. Gained Achaea.

1331

Robert's uncle, John of Gravina, does not wish to pay homage to him for the principality of Achaea, so Achaea is handed over to Robert in exchange for 142,000 grams of gold and rights to the diminished kingdom of Albania, which John now commands under the title of duke of Durazzo.

1332 - 1336

Uncle. Duke of Durazzo. Died.

1336 - 1348

Son. Duke of Durazzo. Decapitated by Phillip.

1336 - 1346

Charles establishes alliances with important Albanian leaders, and especially with the regionally powerful Thopias in territory between the rivers Mat and Shkumbin, and the Muzakas in territory between the rivers Shkumbin and Vlorë.

Today a tourist hot-spot, Berat is as highly prized for its location now as it was when Eastern Romans and Charles of Anjou were vying there for control of Albania's lands

Both see Angevin rulers as a form of protection against Serb interests, and in 1336-1337 Charles enjoys some success against Serb forces in central Albania. The Serbs, though, appear to be fully in control of Albania by 1346, two years before Charles is decapitated by his cousin, Phillip.

1348 - 1368

Duke of Durazzo. Married Louis.

1355

The death of Serb ruler Stefan Urosh IV Dušan relieves the pressure on Albania as his empire quickly begins to crumble. Instead the Albanian Thopia family now flex their strength. Karl Topia (or Thopia) soon lodges his own claim to rule Albania as the recognised count of Albania.

It is a valid claim as his Thopia father had married an illegitimate daughter of Robert of Naples. His name, Karl, is a variation of that of his great-great-grandfather, the powerful Charles of Anjou.

One of medieval Albania's most important strongholds, the entrance to the citadel of Berat is shown here, with the thirteenth century Eastern Roman church of the Holy Trinity alongside it

1365 - 1368

Husband and duke in his wife's name.

1368

After a decade of on-off fighting, Karl Topia captures the city of Durazzo at the second attempt. This is with the willing support of its fellow Albanian populace, thereby displacing his Angevin cousins, Joanna and Louis.

1368 - 1376

Distant Albanian cousin. 'Prince of Albania'.

1376 - 1383

Restored duke of Durazzo.

1376

Husband and duke in his wife's name.

1383

Having lost Durazzo to Louis of Évreux during an expedition in strength in 1376, Karl Topia now regains it when the late Louis' last mercenaries leave the area. He also holds the fortress of Krujë (or Kruja), as well as other important centres.

Gjergj Kastrioti, usually known as 'Skanderbeg', was an Albanian lord who was initially subject to Ottoman overlordship before he rebelled to found the Albanian League in 1443

1383 - 1388

Restored as 'Prince of Albania'. Died.

1388 - 1392

Son. 'Lord of Durazzo'. Sold Albania to Venice.

1392

The reduced duchy (and former kingdom) has lasted until its ever-diminishing or under-threat territory now sees it being sold to Venice by the son of Karl Topia. The Albanian League will succeed it after a gap of fifty-two years.