Balša II

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Balša II (Serbian Cyrillic: Балша II) (died September 18, 1385) was the Ruler of Zeta and a member of the House of Balšić, which ruled Zeta from 1356 to 1435. Balša II was the youngest of three sons of Balša I. On January 13, 1378, he came to power in Zeta after the death of his older brother, Đurađ I. His power was felt only in region around Skadar and in the eastern part of Zeta's coast. The most prominent feudal lords who did not recognize Balša's rule were the Đurašević-Crnojević family, encouraged by Venetians.

In 1372, Balša II married Komnina (Kanina), a daughter of John Komnenos Asen. As a dowry, Balša gained the cities of Berat and Kanina. ^[1]

[edit] Death

In 1382, Balša II started the war for the conquest of Dyrrhachium, taking it following four attempts. In 1385, defeated Albanian ruler Karlo Thopia appealed to Murat I for assistance and Ottoman Army led by Hayreddin Pasha routed Balšas in the Battle of Savra near Berat. The Turks chopped Balša's head off and sent it as an exclusive gift to Hayreddin Pasha. This ends the rule of his family over Dyrrhachium.

Balša's widow, Komnina, and their daughter Ruđina, later took control of Balša's territory in southern Albania to protect it from Turkish invaders. Komnina seemed to be the Duchy of Valona's main ruler, until her death in 1396. In the meantime, the Musachi family had gained control of Berat. In 1391, however, Ruđina married Mrkša Žarković. Žarković succeeded the duchy, calling himself Lord of Valona. He reigned over the city until his death in 1415. Ruđina succeeded her late husband and ruled Valona until 1417, when it was seized by the Turks. ^[2]

[edit] References

Preceded by Đurađ I	Ruler of Zeta 1378–1385	Succeeded by Đurađ II
Preceded by Karlo Thopia	Ruler of Albania 1382–1385	Succeeded by Karlo Thopia