Gjon Mataranga
| Gjon Mataranga Gjon Matrënga | |
|---|---|
| Lord of Karavasta | |
 Coat of Arms of the Mataranga family | |
| Lord of Karavasta | |
| Tenure | 1367-13?? |
| Predecessor | Blasius Mataranga |
| Born | 14th century |
| House | Mataranga |
| Father | Blasius Mataranga |
| Mother | Unknown |
Gjon Mataranga (Albanian: Gjon Matrënga), also known as Gjoni, Johannes, Johan or John was an Albanian nobleman and member of the Mataranga family.
Early life
[edit]Gjon was the son of Blasius Mataranga, an Albanian feudal lord who held the titles of Sevastocrator and Lord of Karavasta.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The identity of his mother remains unknown, and not much is known about his early life.
From 1357 to 1367, his father governed a principality located between the Shkumbin and Devoll rivers, with his administrative center likely based at Pirgu, the strategic Breg castle, or possibly Bashtovë castle (also known as Vrego or Briego), which may have served as his primary stronghold.[3][6][5][8][9] His father's territory flourished during his reign, particularly as a key trading center for grain exports, and was contested by the neighboring Thopia and Balsha families.[6][10] However, after his father's death in 1367, much of his land was seized by rivals, and his family's influence began to decline.[1][11][12]
Later life and inheritance
[edit]Gjon inherited a small portion of his father's lands after his death, though these holdings were relatively modest in comparison to the principality's previous extent, and he inherited the same title as his father.[1][13][11] Despite the challenges, Gjon remained involved in regional politics and continued to engage with surrounding powers, including the Republic of Ragusa.[2] Gjon's name appears in several Ragusan documents from May 1386, including one dated May 11, 1386, where he was granted citizenship, a process commonly used for other nobles of the region.[2] In another document from May 19, 1386, a gift of 50 ducats was recorded for Gjon.[2] His actions in the late 14th century reflect his continued engagement with the political and economic affairs of the region, even as the Mataranga family's power waned.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Fine 1994, p. 372.
- ^ a b c d Malaj 2022, p. 13.
- ^ a b Fine 1994, p. 357.
- ^ Jireček 1911, p. 415.
- ^ a b Akademia Shqiptare e Shkencave 2002, p. 253.
- ^ a b c Malaj 2022, p. 11.
- ^ Qeriqi 2023.
- ^ Karaiskaj 2021, p. 114.
- ^ Hoxha 2005, p. 151-153.
- ^ Fine 1994, p. 371.
- ^ a b Hoxha 2005, p. 159.
- ^ Akademia Shqiptare e Shkencave 2002, p. 250.
- ^ Vlora 1956.
Bibliography
[edit]- Akademia Shqiptare e Shkencave (2002). Historia e Popullit Shqiptar [History of the Albanian People] (in Albanian). Shtëpia Botuese "Toena".
- Fine, John V. A. (1994). The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5.
- Hoxha, Rifat (2005). Kavaja, kur nuk ishte dhe si u bë [Kavaja, when it wasn't there and how it became there] (in Albanian). Shtypshkronja "Gutenberg".
- Jireček, Konstantin (1911). Geschichte der Serben [History of the Serbs] (in German). Gotha: F.A. Perthes.
- Karaiskaj, Gjerak (2021). Fortifikimet e antikitetit të vonë dhe mesjetës në Shqipëri qytete, kala, fortesa, kështjella [Late Antiquity and Medieval Fortifications in Albania cities, castles, fortresses, castles] (in Albanian). Berk. ISBN 978-9-9284-6276-3.
- Malaj, Edmond (2022). "Marrëveshje dhe çështje të tjera ndërmjet Raguzës dhe fisnikëve arbërorë" [Agreements and Other Issues Between Ragusa and Albanian Nobles]. Studime Historike (in Albanian). Tirana: Instituti i Historisë, Akademia e Studimeve Albanologjike. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- Qeriqi, Ahmet (2023). The Stone of the Oath. novum pro Verlag. ISBN 978-1-6426-8417-9.
- Vlora, Ekrem bey (1956). Beiträge zur Geschichte der Türkenherrschaft in Albanien: eine historische Skizze [Contributions to the history of Turkish rule in Albania: a historical sketch] (in German).