Andrea II Muzaka

Andrea II Muzaka came from the noble family of Muzaka, who were wealthy in central 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.[3] 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 latter Despot and even granter title such as "Despot of Albania" (Despoto Albanie). 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.[4]

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 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 substantially weakening Empire, as well as the coat of arms of the Muzaka family would be replaced with the new double-headed eagle flag[5]

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.

During the period 1341-1347 the Byzantine Empire was going through a deep civil war which hastened the Serbians to take it 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).[6] Andrea Muzaka waged against the Serbian forces around 1340 when forces of Andrea defeated the Serbian army at the Pelister mountain.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8][9] 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