Comita Muzaka (Albanian: Komita Muzaka), also known as Komnena or Komnene was an Albanian princess and member of the Muzaka family.
| Comita Muzaka Komita Muzaka | |
|---|---|
| Princess of Zeta Lady of Berat, Vlorë and Kaninë | |
 Coat of Arms of the Muzaka family | |
| Princess Consort of Zeta | |
| Tenure | 1378-1385 |
| Successor | Jelena Lazarević |
| Lady of Berat, Vlorë and Kaninë | |
| Tenure | 1385-1396 |
| Successor | Rugjina Balsha |
| Born | 14th century |
| Died | 1396 |
| Spouse | Balsha II |
| Issue | Rugjina Balsha |
| House | Muzaka |
| Father | Andrea II Muzaka |
| Mother | Euphemia Mataranga |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
Life
editComita was the daughter of Andrea II Muzaka, who held the titles of Despot of Albania and Epirus, as well as Sebastokrator, from the noble Muzaka family. Her mother was Euphemia Mataranga, from the noble Mataranga family. She was the fourth youngest of five siblings, yet the eldest of the two daughters. However, little is known about her early life.[1][2][3]
She was married to Balsha II of the noble Balsha family.[4][5][6][7][8] Andrea II Muzaka granted Balsha II control of Vlorë and Kaninë as part of a dowry following Balsha's marriage to Muzaka’s daughter, Komita. This arrangement, made after the death of Alexander Komnenos Asen in 1371, also ensured Balsha's support against mutual enemies like Marko. It's unclear whether Muzaka had already conquered the cities or if Balsha was planning to take them, but the agreement solidified Balsha's claim to the territories through marriage.[9][10]
Her husband Balsha II was killed at the Battle of Savra in 1385 where he was beheaded.[11] She subsequently assumed control of the Principality of Vlorë, becoming its primary ruler following the death of her husband, and ruled until her death in 1396.[12][13]
Her daughter Rugjina Balsha married Mrkša Žarković in 1391 and he reigned the Principality of Vlorë in the right of his wife until his death in 1414.[14] Rugjina then ruled from 1414 to 1417 until the Ottomans took control of the territory, where she then fled and took refuge in Corfu.[15][16]
Family
editComita Muzaka married Balsha II. The couple had one child:[17][18]
- Rugjina Balsha married Mrkša Žarković in 1391. She ruled the Principality of Vlorë from 1414-1417.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 42. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
...From the said Lord Andrew Molosachi the Despot were born three sons and two daughters. The first born was called Lord Gjin, the second Lord Theodore and the third Lord Stoya. Of the daughters, the first one was called Lady Comita Musachi and the second Lady Chiranna....
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 47. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
...Lady Comita Musachi, the daughter of Lord Andrew Musachi the Despot...
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 42. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
...This second Lord Andrew, who captured the said King Vukashin, King of Serbia and Bulgaria, was married to the daughter of Lord Paul Sevastocrator. His wife was called Euthymia...
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 42. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
...His first daughter, the above mentioned Lady Comita, was married to the said King Balsha who held sway in Shkodra, Bar, Kotor, Šibenik, Trogir and much other land...
- ^ E. Jacques, Edwin (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-7864-4238-6.
...With one daughter, Komita married to Balsha II of Shkodra...
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 42. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
...In this undertaking, he had called upon the assistance of his son in law, King Balsha, who was married to Lady Comita Musachi, his first-born daughter...
- ^ Stylian Noli, Fan (1921). Historia e Skënderbeut Gjerg Kastriotit, Mbretit te Shqiperise, 1412-1468. Shtypeshkrinja e "Diellit. p. 82.
...Vlora dhe Kanina ishin ne duar te princerve bullgare nga dera mbreterore e Asenit qe me 1350 gjer me 1372. Me 72 ua rrembyen Balshet dhe i mbjatin gjer me 1385. Si u-vra Balsha II ne betejen e Savres, e shoqja e tij Princesha Komita Muzaka, nje Amazone e fjeshte, mbreteroj mi Vloren, Sazanin, Kaninen, Himaren dhe Pargen; pastaj u-zgjat gjer ne Krahinen e Devollit, qe ia rrembeu te kusheririt Nikoll Muzake, te cilin e mundi dhe e zuri rop...
- ^ Miller, William (1921). Essays on the Latin Orient. Cambridge, University Pressn. p. 435. ISBN 978-1-1074-5553-5.
...Under Balsha II Valona formed part of a considerable principality, for on the death of his last surviving brother, in 1372, the "Lord of Valona and Budua" had become sole ruler of the Zeta- the modern Montenegro- and then, by the capture of Durazzo from Carlo Topia, "Prince of Albania", assumed the title of "Duke" from that former Venetian duchy. By his marriage with Comita Musachi, he became connected with a powerful Albanian clan...
- ^ Qeriqi, Ahmet (December 13, 2023). The Stone of the Oath. novum pro Verlag. ISBN 978-1-6426-8417-9.
...At that time, Andrea Muzaka II Vlora and Kanine from Sebastian Alexander, who ruled there after the death of the despot Gjon Komen. However, the despot Muzaka soon gave these two cities to the younger brother of the Balshas, Balsh II, after his marriage to his daughter Komita...
- ^ Duka, Ferit (2004). Studime Historike-MUZAKAJT - LIDHËZ E FUQISHME MIDIS KOHËVE PARAOSMANE DHE OSMANE. Qendra e Studimeve Albanologjike. p. 10.
- ^ E. Jacques, Edwin (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-7864-4238-6.
...In the plain of Savre between Elbasan and Lushnja Balsha fought the Turks and was defeated and killed, his head being taken to the Turkish capital as a trophy...
- ^ E. Jacques, Edwin (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7864-4238-6.
...Balsha widow Komita Muzaka ruled from Berat until her death in 1396...
- ^ E. Jacques, Edwin (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-7864-4238-6.
...The principality now split into two parts, Balsha's widow, Komita Muzaka, returned to her family seat at Berat to rule over the southern part of the principality...
- ^ Veselinović & Ljušić 2008, p. 94.
- ^ E. Jacques, Edwin (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7864-4238-6.
...Then her daughter Rugina Balsha of Vlora held the territory until 1417, when it all fell to the Turks and she took refuge in Corfu...
- ^ Fine 1994, p. 391.
- ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 47. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8.
...that King Balsha was married to Lady Comita Musachi, the daughter of Lord Andrew Musachi the Despot. To him she bore a daughter called Regina...
- ^ E. Jacques, Edwin (2009). The Albanians: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present - Volume 1. McFarland & Company. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7864-4238-6.
...Then her daughter Rugina Balsha...
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