Gjon Kastrioti

Gjon Kastrioti I. (* in the region of Mati, Albania, † May 2, 1437 ) was an Albanian prince who reigned from 1389 to his death in 1437, the Principality of Kastrioti in northern Albania. He fought in 1389 on the side of his father Pal Kastrioti in the Battle of Kosovo Polje. His father died in the battle, Gjon but survived and returned with his troops back to Kruja, where he was celebrated as a hero and proclaimed princes of the region.

Life

About his childhood is silent most of the sources. We know that the family Kastrioti came from two villages from the Mati valley in northern Albania and they could win the fortress of the Thopia Dynasty in Kruja, where they resided over a principality. Gjon I was the first ruler of this " dynasty " He married an Albanian woman (name unknown), with whom he had nine children These were Gjergj (also Gjorg or Georg ), known as Skanderbeg (* 1405; .. † January 17, 1468 in Lezha ), Stanisha ( Stanislaus, † 1446 ), REPOSH ( Repossio, † 1431), Konstandin ( Constantine ) II, Mara, Jella, Angjelina (Angelina ), Vlajka and Mamica.

1389 took Gjon along with his father Pal and some other Albanian princes at the battle of Kosovo Polje in part. The Albanian principalities came the cry for help of the Serbs together with the Bosnian and Bulgarian princes according to the Ottoman conquerors. The battle won by the Ottomans, which is why they it on the central Balkans settle ( Macedonia and Bulgaria) were. Later, the Albanian principalities against the Ottoman suzerainty should say. Shortly after the Battle of Kosovo Polje invaded the Ottomans in Albanian territory a ( conquest Elba Sans ).

Thus, the Principality of Kastrioti should be no threat to the Ottoman Empire, Gjon I had to make to the court of the Sultan of safety his three sons Gjergj, REPOSH and Konstandin. Around 1420 his principality had reached an area that ranged from Prizren until after Lezha. 1430 led an unsuccessful uprising Gjon I. against the Ottomans.

After his death in 1437 the Ottomans prepared hastily conquests in Central and Northern Albania ago.

Throughout his life changed Gjon with his princely house several times religion. As long as he was allied with the Venetians, his house known to Catholicism. If it was the Serbian prince Stefan Lazarević in an alliance, he converted to Orthodox Christianity. This policy also operated other Albanian princes of the Middle Ages.