Kingdom of Albania
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The Kingdom of Albania refers to the Regnum Albaniae, which was established by Charles of Anjou in the territory he conquered from the Despotate of Epirus in 1271. He took the title of King of Albania in February, 1272. The kingdom extended from Durrës (then known as Dyrrhachium) south along the coast to Cape Linguetta, with vaguely defined borders in the interior. A major attempt to take control of the interior failed at the Siege of Berat (1280–1281). A Byzantine counter-offensive soon ensued, which drove the Angevins out of the interior by 1281. The Sicilian Vespers further weakened the position of Charles, and the Kingdom was soon reduced by the Epirotes to a small area around Durrës. The Angevins held out here, however, until 1368, when the city was captured by Karl Thopia. Durrës was also occupied by Principality of Achaea between 1333-1336 and Serbian Empire between 1336-1355.
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Kings of Albania
- Charles I 1272–1285
- Charles II 1285–1294
Charles surrendered his rights to Albania to his son Philip in 1294. Philip reigned as "Lord of the Kingdom of Albania".
Lords of the Kingdom of Albania
In 1332, Robert succeeded his father, Philip. Robert's uncle, John, did not wish to do him homage for the Principality of Achaea, so Robert received Achaea from John in exchange for 5,000 ounces of gold and the rights to the diminished Kingdom of Albania. John took the style of Duke of Durazzo.
Dukes of Durazzo
In 1368, Durazzo fell to Karl Thopia, who was recognized by Venice as "Prince of Albania".
Bibliography
Thomas Frachery, Le règne de la Maison d'Anjou en Albanie (1272-1350), Rev. Akademos, Paris, 2005, pp. 7-26.
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