User:Antidiskriminator/Drafts of articles/Skanderbeg—Dukagjini conflict

The conflict between Skanderbeg and Dukagjini family, particularly with Lekë Dukagjini, was one of numerous conflicts between local rival families of Albania in period 1444—1468 which was period of an Albanian civil war rather than period of resistance to the Ottomans. The gap between Dukagjini family and Skanderbeg was particularly deep and existed for years. Skanderbeg was an obstacle for territorial aspirations of Dukagjini.

Kastrioti — Dukagjini conflicts under Ottoman suzerainty
After the Ottoman Empire victory in the Battle of Savra in 1385 the territory of Albania went out of the control of Balšić family while local nobility from Albania became Ottoman vassals. The decline of the Balšić family marked the ascendancy of the Kastrioti family. The Kastrioti family soon challenged the rule of Dukagjini family over the territory between Mati and Drin while they were struggling with Jonima family over the territory on the both sides of the river Drin.

1450—1454
Conflict between Skanderbeg and the Dukagjini family was particularly intensive in this period beginning in 1450 when Dukagjini attempted to use the opportunity to expand their domains while their more powerful neighbors were busy resolving their problems on other fronts. The Republic of Venice and Serbian Despotate were struggling over Venetian possessions in Zeta while Skanderbeg was under strong Ottoman attack and trying to secure his possessions after it. When Pal and Nicholas Dukagjini left the League of Lezhë in 1450, together with Arianiti family, they concluded a peace with Ottoman Empire and started their actions against Skanderbeg. During the fiercest battle between Skanderbeg and Ottomans occured at the (Siege of Krujë) in 1450, the Dukagjini family attacked and plundered many villages, some belonging to Skanderbeg. Venetians did not interfere during the fierce battles between Skanderbeg and Dukagjini who, with the support of their new Ottoman lords, expanded their territories. On the other hand, the conflict between Skanderbeg and Dukagjini was subject of particular interest of the Kingdom of Naples and Pope. It is not possible to prove the claim of Giammaria Biemmi that Dukagjini attempted to kill Skanderbeg in the spring of 1452, but some scholars support this claim as well as information that Skanderbeg and Dukagjini made peace on 25 September 1452. However, based on one letter written by Pope on 22 August 1454 it can be concluded that Dukagjini actually refused to make peace with Skanderbeg so Pope threaten them with excommunication and interdict. Dukagjini made peace with Skanderbeg only after Nicholas Dukagjini died in 1454.

1456—1463
Between 1456 and August 1457 a small war was waged between two branches of the Dukagjini family. Between Ottoman supported Lekë and Pal Dukagjini on one side and Draga Dukagjini, son of Nicholas Dukagjini, supported by Venice on other. Skanderbeg, Humoj family and Moneta family served Venetian forces in this battle.

In August 1457 Venetians recaptured Dagnum from Dukagjini after fierce battle and significant casualties. Venetian forces led by Andrea Venier were supported by Skanderbeg.

Lekë Dukagjini has weakened Skanderbeg's forces by deserting to the Ottomans in 1458.

Final reconciliation in 1463
In 1463 Venetians started long war against Ottomans and managed to convince Lekë Dukagjini and Skanderbeg to finally conclude the peace. Venetians continuously attempted to connect Albanian nobility to Skanderbeg, on the first place Lekë Dukagjini whose loyalty they had to pay. Catholic Archbishop of Durrës had significant role in convincing Lekë Dukagjini to leave the Ottomans and to reconcile with Skanderbeg in 1464, and also in convincing Skanderbeg to violate an armistice signed with the Ottomans.

[http://books.google.rs/books?id=eKKS3u7iPWcC&pg=PA311&dq=skanderbeg+dukagjin+1456&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W2MpT5LdKcPT4QSc6MzXAw&redir_esc=y Der nach 1456 ausbrechende Kampf um Dagno wurde auch als Familienzwist der Dukagjin ausgetragen, in dem sich Anhänger der Osmanen, Paul und Leka, und Venedigs, Nikolas Sohn Draga, gegenüberstanden. Daneben bot der Krieg Skanderbeg die]

[http://books.google.rs/books?id=eKKS3u7iPWcC&pg=PA311&dq=skanderbeg+dukagjin+1456&hl=en&sa=X&ei=W2MpT5LdKcPT4QSc6MzXAw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=skanderbeg%20dukagjin%201456&f=false Der nach 1456 ausbrechende Kampf um Dagno wurde auch als Familienzwist der Dukagjin ausgetragen, in dem sich Anhänger der Osmanen, Paul und Leka, und Venedigs, Nikolas Sohn Draga, gegenüberstanden. Daneben bot der Krieg Skanderbeg die Gelegenheit, seine Führungsstellung in den Bergen der Dukagjin zu erneuern und gleichzeitig Venedig einen Dienst zu erweisen. Der Kleinkrieg wurde mit grosser Heftigkeit geführt, wobei sich bekannte Parteigänger der Republik wie die Moneta und Humoj besonders auszeichneten. Vor September 1457 war Dagno unter schweren Verlusten zurückgewonnen. Die Annäherung Skanderbegs an Venedig war von diesem Konflikt ebenso beschleunigt worden wie von dem Anmarsch eines osmanischen Heeres. Im Augenblick höchster Bedrängnis an zwei Fronten errang Skanderbeg Anfang September 1457 bei Albulena (Uji i bardhe; „Weisswasser") einen seiner grössten Triumphe über die Osmanen.]

Die Begeisterung im Abendland über diesen glänzenden Sieg war gross, ebenso die Erleichterung in Skutari, das wie Kruja von osmanischen Truppen