Mamica Kastrioti

Mamica Kastrioti
Princess of Mat
Born15th Century
Principality of Kastrioti
SpouseKarl Muzakë Thopia
IssueYela Thopia
Unknown Daughter
Gjon Thopia
Gjergj Thopia
Ali Bej Toptani
Unknown Son
DynastyKastrioti
FatherGjon Kastrioti
MotherVoisava Kastrioti

Mamica Kastrioti was a 15th century Albanian princess from the House of Kastrioti. She is best known as the younger sister of the Albanian hero Skanderbeg.

Life

Mamica was the daughter of the Albanian Feudal Lord Gjon Kastrioti and his wife Voisava Kastrioti.[1][2] Not much is known about her early life. She was described as an astute and able leader who excelled many male chieftains in battle.[3]

On January 26th, 1445 in Musachiana which was between Krujë and Durrës she married Karl Muzakë Thopia who hailed from the powerful Thopia family.[4][5][6] This was controversial because Karl Muzakë Thopia was already married to Suina Muzaka before marrying Mamica, with whom he had two children. Mamica's brother, Skanderbeg, broke up Karl's marriage to Suina Muzaka against everyone's wishes, including those of the children, and forced him to marry his sister.[7] This however wasn't the only notable event that took place on the wedding day. A dispute had occurred between the two princes Lekë Dukagjini and Lekë Zaharia, at the center of the dispute was Irene Dushmani Princess of Zadrima and Pult and the only child of Lekë Dushmani. Both the princes had fallen in love with the princess and when Irene arrived at the wedding the hostilities erupted. They lost their heads and rushed at each other's throats.[8][9][10][11] Vrana Konti and Vladan Jurica tried separating the two princes but this resulted in them getting severely wounded, Vrana in his arm and Vladan on his head. This assault between the two princes led to a real battle between the two prince's men.[12][13][14] The battle initially appeared to favor the forces of Lekë Dukagjini, until Lekë Zaharia charged at his rival and, with a powerful blow, felled him to the ground.[15][16] At a critical moment, Vrana Konti and Vladan Jurica intervened decisively, bringing the battle to a close. The aftermath saw 105 dead and approximately 200 wounded strewn across the battlefield.[17][18][19][20][21]

Mural of a female knight found in St. Anthony Church, Durrës believed to be Mamica Kastrioti[22]

During her brother Skanderbeg's rebellion against the Ottomans, Petrelë Castle was under the command of Mamica.[23][24][25][26] The Castle was an integral part of the signaling and defense network of Krujë Castle, with the fortresses communicating through signal fires.[27][28][29]

In 1455 her husband, Karl Muzakë Thopia, died in the Siege of Berat.[30][31]

Issue

Mamica married Karl Muzakë Thopia, on January 26th, 1445. The pair had six children, four sons and two daughters:[32][33][34]

  • Yela Thopia married Lord Andrew Musachi
  • Unknown Daughter
  • Gjon Thopia
  • Gjergj Thopia
  • Ali Bej Toptani
  • Unknown Son

See also

References

  1. ^ Rrahmani, Bashkim (November 20, 2020). The State of Scanderbeg. Institutions and the Applied Law. ADJURIS. p. 9. ISBN 978-6-0694-9784-5. ...He was the penultimate child of Gjon and Vojsava. The children were four sons (Stanisha, Reposh, Konstantin, and Gjergj) and four girls (Mara, Jella, Angelina, Vlajka and Mamica)...
  2. ^ Anamali, Skënder (2002). Historia e popullit shqiptar në katër vëllime (in Albanian). Vol. I. Botimet Toena. p. 341. OCLC 52411919
  3. ^ Prifti, Peter (1978). Socialist Albania since 1944 : domestic and foreign developments. MIT Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-2621-6070-4. ...while her warrior daughter, Mamica is described by Marin Barleti, Skenderbeu's most noted biographer, as "an astute and able leader" who excelled many male chieftains in battle...
  4. ^ Noli, Fan Stylian (1945). George Castrioti Scanderbeg (1405-1468). Boston University Libraries. p. 124. ...This year of 1445 began with a wedding. Mamitza Castrioti, Scanderbeg's youngest sister, was married to Musachi Thopia. The wedding took place in Musachiana, between Croya and Durazzo, on January 26. All the chieftains of Albania were invited to attend...
  5. ^ Pritchett Post, Susan E. (1998). Women in Modern Albania. the University of Virginia. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-7864-0468-1. ...Mamica Kastrioti was Skanderbeg's youngest sister. She was married to Muzak Topia, one of the princes of Albania in 1445...
  6. ^ Noli, Fan Stylian (1968). Vepra të plota: Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu (1405-1468). Rilindija. p. 93. ...Viti 1445 filloi me një dasmë. Mamica Kastrioti, motra e vogël e Skënderbeut, u martua...
  7. ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 52. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8. ...You should know that Lord Musachi Thopia, otherwise known as Charles Musachi, was married to Lady Zanfina, otherwise known as Suina, with whom he had two children, a boy called Andrew and a girl called Yela. The said Lady Yela was married to Lord George Cernojevic, and I have told you that Lord Scanderbeg broke up the marriage of the said Lord Musachi and Lady Zanfina Musachi, against the wishes of God and everyone and against the wishes of the children they had had, and forced him to marry his sister Lady Mamica...
  8. ^ Noli, Fan Stylian (1945). George Castrioti Scanderbeg (1405-1468). Boston University Libraries. p. 124. ...During the carousal that followed the ceremony, Lek Ducaghini and Lek Zacaria of Dagno started a quarrel, which developed into a real battle between their followers. It was a case of "Cherchez la femme!" And the lady in question was Irere Dushmani of Zadrim with whom both had fallen in love. She happened to be there, the two lovers lost their heads and rushed at each other's throats...
  9. ^ Marino, Ettore (June 12, 2018). Storia del popolo albanese Dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Donzelli Editore. ISBN 978-8-8684-3837-1. ...Il 26 gennaio 1445 furono celebrate le nozze tra Mamica Kastriota e Muzak Thopia. Questo negligibile evento fini tra le scritture degli storici poiché durante i festeggiamenti accadde un incidente i cui effetti la Storia, appunto, non può negligere. Due principi albanesi, Lek Dukagjini e Lek Zakaria Altisferi, amavano la stessa donna, Irene di Lek Dushmani, principe di Zadrima...
  10. ^ Lezi, Tim (May 2011). Scanderbeg, General of the Eagles. X-libris Corporation LLC. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4628-6275-7. ...The wedding of Muzake and Mamica took place in Musachiana, between Kruje and Durrës, on January 26, 1445. All the chieftains of Albania were invited to attend. However, the peaceful and joyful ceremony took an unexpectedly bizarre and bloody twist at the end when Leke Dukagjini and Leke Zakaria of Danya, both intoxicated, began to quarrel about Irena Dushmani of Zadrima, a beautiful lady with whom both had fallen desperately in love. Just as she passed by them, the chieftains rushed at each other's throats to impress and win the heart of their Helen of Troy...
  11. ^ Francione, Gennaro (2003), Skenderbeu: Një hero modern (in Albanian), Shtëpia botuese "Naim Frashëri", p. 61, ISBN 99927-38-75-8
  12. ^ Noli, Fan Stylian (1945). George Castrioti Scanderbeg (1405-1468). Boston University Libraries. p. 124. ...Count Vrana and Vladan Yuritza, who tried to separate them, were severely wounded, the former in his arm and the latter on his head. Then it was decided to let the two lovers fight it out....
  13. ^ Marino, Ettore (June 12, 2018). Storia del popolo albanese Dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Donzelli Editore. ISBN 978-8-8684-3837-1. ...I due, assentatosi il Kastriota, passarono dalle occhiatacce agli insulti, dagli insulti al duello, e il duello divenne un vero e proprio scontro tra i loro uomini...
  14. ^ Lezi, Tim (May 2011). Scanderbeg, General of the Eagles. X-libris Corporation LLC. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4628-6275-7. ...Count Vrana and Vladan Yuritza, who happened to be nearby, tried to mollify the two screaming contenders, but to no effect. Instead, both of them received light wounds, one in his arm and the other on his head. A suggestion by another drunk guest to fight it out with their bare fists appealed to both Dukagjini and Zakaria. As armed men from each clan watched from the side, the two men began by eyeballing one another, and with careful steps they circled one another. The wind was tossing both their white shirts and black hair. Since they were of equal height and both quite muscular, nobody could tell which way the match would go. After the preliminary moments of posturing and circling observation, the men decided to move in closer to the other and they started exchanging some punches...
  15. ^ Noli, Fan Stylian (1945). George Castrioti Scanderbeg (1405-1468). Boston University Libraries. p. 125. ...The battle seemed to go in favor of the Ducaghind group, when Lek Zacaria rushed against his rival and, with a mighty stroke, stretched him flat on the ground...
  16. ^ Lezi, Tim (May 2011). Scanderbeg, General of the Eagles. X-libris Corporation LLC. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4628-6275-7. ...Bolstered on by more supporters in the crowd, the fight initially went in the favor of Leke Dukagjini. Although it appeared that Zakaria was in a bad spot, he was defending quite well and, suddenly, surprising everybody, he threw a nasty jab to the chin of Dukagjini and knocked him out cold. Dukagjini stood on the ground, nonplussed and bleeding from his mouth. As he started to move and get up, Zakaria jumped over him and got him in a full nelson. With raucous cheers, Zakarias men commenced rejoicing and celebrating their leader's victory. This was not welcomed by Dukagjini's men. Infuriated by the sight of their downed chieftain, and prompted by their canon of vendetta, they unsheathed their swords, and immediately challenged Zakaria's men, who were not at all intimidated and drew their swords as well in self-defense. A needless and absurd battle followed...
  17. ^ Noli, Fan Stylian (1945). George Castrioti Scanderbeg (1405-1468). Boston University Libraries. p. 125. ...At this critical moment, Count Vrana and Vladan Yuritza intervened and put an end to the battle. One hundred and five dead and about two hundred wounded covered the battlefield...
  18. ^ Marino, Ettore (June 12, 2018). Storia del popolo albanese Dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Donzelli Editore. ISBN 978-8-8684-3837-1. ...Dukagjini rimase ferito da un colpo di lancia, e sul suolo rimasero ben centocinque morti. La pace cui Skanderbeg li costrinse sarà, da parte del Dukagjini, una vera e propria Copyrighted material finzione, se è vero, e lo è, che quest'ultimo farà trucidare a tradimento lo Zakaria e a lungo porterà rancore al Kastriota. Il principato dello Zakaria (le terre di Danja, sostanzialmente) toccava a Skanderbeg...
  19. ^ Lezi, Tim (May 2011). Scanderbeg, General of the Eagles. X-libris Corporation LLC. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4628-6275-7. ...Although both Dukagjini and Zakaria miraculously came out of the battle alive, the bloodbath left 105 dead and 200 wounded Loudly proclaiming that winning Irena's heart was worth all the trouble in the world, Zakaria had no regrets. His proclamation succeeded in achieving its goal. Irena was his. Leke Dukagjini responded by declaring a blood feud against Zakaria. The entire ordeal left Scanderbeg humbled and grieved...
  20. ^ Francione 2003, p. 62
  21. ^ Hodgkinson, Harry (1999), Scanderbeg: From Ottoman Captive to Albanian Hero, Centre for Albanian Studies, p. 83, ISBN 978-1-873928-13-4
  22. ^ "Church of St. Anthony in Cape Rodon - Eu4Culture". Eu4Culture - Just another WordPress site. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  23. ^ Gloyer, Gillian (2008). Albania The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-8416-2246-0. ...and is said to have been where his sister Mamica lived...
  24. ^ Publishing, Nagel (1990). Albania. Nagel Publishers. p. 90. ISBN 978-2-8263-0827-0. ... It is said to have been the residence of the hero's sister Mamica...
  25. ^ "Petrela Castle". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  26. ^ "Petrela, the residence castle of Mamica Kastrioti". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  27. ^ Gloyer, Gillian (2008). Albania The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-8416-2246-0. ...Petrela was a strategic link in the defensive system used by Skanderbeg...
  28. ^ Publishing, Nagel (1990). Albania. Nagel Publishers. p. 90. ISBN 978-2-8263-0827-0. ...Petrela played an important part during Skander- beg's resistance to the Ottoman invasion...
  29. ^ "Petrela Castle". Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  30. ^ Pritchett Post, Susan E. (1998). Women in Modern Albania. the University of Virginia. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-7864-0468-1. ...her husband was killed in the Battle of Berat...
  31. ^ Scanderbeg: From Ottoman Captive to Albanian Hero by Harry Hodgkinson, page 136
  32. ^ Elsie, Robert (2003). Early Albania A Reader of Historical Texts, 11th-17th Centuries. Harrassowitz. p. 52. ISBN 978-3-4470-4783-8. ...and I have told you that Lord Scanderbeg broke up the marriage of the said Lord Musachi and Lady Zanfina Musachi, against the wishes of God and everyone and against the wishes of the children they had had, and forced him to marry his sister Lady Mamica. This lord had four sons and two daughters by his second wife. The sons turned Turk and the one daughter, Lady Yela, married Lord Andrew Musachi...
  33. ^ Pritchett Post, Susan E. (1998). Women in Modern Albania. the University of Virginia. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-7864-0468-1. ...Mamica Kastrioti was Skanderbeg's youngest sister. She was married to Muzak Topia, one of the princes of Albania in 1445...
  34. ^ Karl Hopf (1873). Chroniques Gréco-Romaines. Weidmann. p. 533.
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