Andrea I Muzaka (Albanian: Andrea Muzaka; 12?? – 1319), also known as Andrew Musachi was an Albanian Lord and member of the Muzaka family.
Life
Andrea I Muzaka was an influential Albanian lord and the founder of the Muzaka family, which became one of the principal feudal powers in central Albania.[1][2] While the identities of his parents remain unknown, he emerged as a prominent ruler in medieval Albania, holding significant titles and territorial control.[1] He held the Byzantine title of Sevastokrator and was the Lord of Berat, as well as ruling over Myzeqe, establishing himself as a key figure in the region.[3][4] He was appointed the title of Marshal of the Kingdom of Albania (Marescallus regni Albaniae), holding this position from 1280 to 1319.[1][2][5] During this time, he was a vassal of the Angevin Kings of Naples, who held suzerainty over the region.[2][1]
His domain extended across central Albania, including parts of Devoll, Opar, and Skrapar, with Berat serving as the capital of his rule.[4][3] His territories also included the region of Myzeqe, with its borders extending from the village of Garunja (Carugua), Gosë (Giossi), Bashtovë (Basti), and Miliota at the Shkumbin River.[4] His control reached down to the river Vjosa and the area known as the Two Stones.[4] Andrea I also ruled over Tomorrica (Tomornica), with its sixty villages, Selenicë (Selenizza), and the town of Korça (Corizza), as well as various surrounding villages and regions.[3][4]
In 1319, as part of the crusading efforts led by Philip of Taranto, Pope John XXII sent a series of confidential letters to the Albanian nobility.[6][7] These letters, dated June 17, 1319, were initiated by the Roman Curia and were not publicly circulated.[6] Instead, they were intended solely for the recipients, emphasizing the Albanian nobility's role in resisting the heavy tyranny of the treacherous king of Serbia (grava tyrannis of the rex perfidus Rasciae).[6] The crusade had been prompted by King Milutin of Serbia's persecution of Catholics, which led Pope John XXII to seek support from allies, including Albanian nobles.[8][7] Among the recipients were Andrea I Muzaka, Marshal of the Kingdom of Albania, and other members of the Muzaka family.[5]
Family
Andrea I Muzaka's wife is not known but the couple had two children:[3][4]
- Teodor I Muzaka, also known as "Kischetisi" (meaning "long-haired" or "braided"), held the title Protosebastos and inherited all his father's lands.[3][9] He married the Daughter of Paul of Ohrid and had two children.[10]
- Gjin Muzaka
See also
References
Bibliography
- Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
- Hopf, Karl (1873). Chroniques greco-romanes inedites ou peu connues [Unpublished or little-known Greco-Roman chronicles] (in French). Weidmann.
- Jacques, Edwin E. (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-8995-0932-7.
- Lala, Etleva (2008). Regnum Albaniae, the Papal Curia, and the Western Visions of a Borderline Nobility. Central European University Department of Medieval Studies.
- Sainty, Guy Stair (2018). The Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Angeli, Farnese and Bourbon families which governed it. Boletín Oficial del Estado. ISBN 978-8-4340-2506-6.
- Tase, Piro (2010). Të Huajt Për Shqipërinë Dhe Shqiptarët [Foreigners for Albania and Albanians] (in Albanian). Lulu. ISBN 978-0-5573-3253-3.
- Živković, Tibor (2008). Roger - the forgotten Archbishop of Bar (PDF). Institute of History Belgrade.