Second Scutari War

The Second Scutari War (Други скадарски рат) was an armed conflict in 1419—1426 between Zeta (1419—1421) and Serbian Despotate (1421—1426) on one side and Venetian Republic on another, over Scutari and other former possessions of Zeta captured by Venice.

Background
The First Scutari War was waged in period 1405—1413 between Balša III and Venetian Republic. In this war Balša III tried to capture Scutari and its surrounding region which was given to Venetians by his father Đurađ II Balšić in 1396. Using the anti-Venetian rebellion of the Scutari population Balša III managed to capture several nearby towns in 1405. Venetians then convinced Balša's towns Budva, Bar and Ulcinj to accept their suzerainty. After several years of battles and negotiations the war was ended in 1412 with treaty which obliged Balša III and Venice to return everything to pre-war situation. Both parties were unsatisfied with the peace treaty and believed that the other party was in breach of the agreed terms and that the other party should pay more for the damage during the war.

Between Zeta and Venice
In March 1419 Balša III again attempted to recapture Scutari and its surrounding area. In May he managed to capture Drivast and in August 1419 its castle. The Venetians tried to bribe Kastriotis and Dukagjinis to fight against Zeta in 1419, but it seems without success. Venetians also tried to win over some other prominent members of Albanian nobility who supported Balša III, like Koja Zaharia who was asked to recognize Venetian suzerainty over his Dagnum. Then they tried to win over tribes Hoti and Mataguži.

Capture of Drivast, Sveti Srđ and Bar
Lazarević and his Serbian Despotate had been ceded Lordship of Zeta from Balša III in April 1421, but the Venetians did not recognize him, holding on to the occupied Zetan coast and Bojana, including Drivast recaptured by them after Balša's death. Venetians emphasized to despot's envoy that they have no intention to cede Balša's former possessions to despot and even requested Ottoman support in case of despot's attack. In August 1421, Lazarević led armies into Zeta. A number of Gjon Kastrioti's Albanians led by one of his sons joined Lazarević immediately upon the arrival of the latter in Zeta. According to Fan Noli it was Stanisha who was sent by his father, together with auxiliary forces, to help Serbian despot to capture Scutari from Venetians. With their support despot immediately captured Sveti Srdj and Drivast. Then he went to the coast and took Bar in middle of November 1421.

Lazarević appointed voivode Mazarek to administer his possessions in Zeta. Until then Mazarek administered despot's possessions in Rudnik (1414) and Ostrovica. Noblemen from Bar were then invited to a meeting in cathedral of St. George where they recognized the suzerainty of Serbian despot while Mazarek recognized their right to govern the city according to their own legislations.

Truce
Lazarević concluded the six-months truce with Venice and left to support king Sigismund in his fight against the Hussites. The truce was agreed to last until 15 May 1422. After despot's initial success Venetians readily accepted the truce. Тhe towns of Scutari, Ulcinj and Budva at that moment remainined under their control.

Venetians used the truce to reinforce Scutari garrison. They transported soldiers, food and arms to Skadar trough river Bojana.

During the truce in the first half of 1422 peace negotiations were held in Venice and attended by despot's envoy duke Vitko. They were continued in Serbia between Venice's envoy Marco Barbadigo and despot himself. When Lazarević demanded the surrender of disputed towns, Venice refused and war resumed.

Battles on Bojana
Despot did not continue war immediately after the truce because he was busy with other activities, but his voivode Mazarek undertook actions to prevent Venetian reinforcement of Scutari garrison. He erected several fortresses on the right bank of river Bojana from where he controlled the river. When Venetian captain Niccolo Capello was sent to transport food supplies and archers to the besieged Scutari using three galleys Mazarek's forces on Bojana forced his galleys to retreat to the Adriatic sea. In July 1422 Venetian Senate ordered to Niccolo Capello to return to Bojana and complete his mission, but he decided to wait for two galleys of providur and supracomite Marco Bembo and Marco Barbo carrying soldiers and material for destruction of the fortress Mazarek erected in Sveti Srđ.

Siege of Scutari in 1422
Lazarević's forces besieged Scutari, probably in June 1422, and for a year, it seemed that Venice would have lost their possessions. In November 1422 Venetian fleet destroyed Mazarek's fortresses on Bojana and reached Sveti Srđ. Due to low water level they could not continue their voyage trough Bojana.

Supported by some local Albanians, Venice managed to break the siege in December 1422. Scutari garrison led by captain Niccolo Capello unexpectedly attacked despot's army during one December night and broke the siege. After the siege was broken Venetians reinforced Scutari's garrison with additional 400 cavalry and between 200 and 300 infantry.

Siege of Scutari in 1423
Despot's army did not suffer serious casualties and returned under Scutari's fortress in January 1423. In January 1423, Venice bribed and won over the Pamaliots on Bojana, and then bought over several tribal leader in or near Zeta: the Paštrovići, Gjon Kastrioti (who had extended to the outskirts of Alessio), the Dukagjins, and Koja Zaharija. Though none of these were mobilized militarly by Venice, they left the ranks of Lazarević's army, thus became a potential danger to Lazarević. Although Venetian admiral Francesco Bembo offered money to Gjon Kastrioti, Dukagjins and to Koja Zaharija in April 1423 to join the Venetian forces against Serbian Despotate, they refused.

In summer of 1423 despot Lazarević sent Đurađ Branković with 8,000 cavalry to Zeta. He besieged Scutari and erected fortresses on Bojana to cut off Venetian supplies of the besieged city. Duke Sandalj was prepared to support Serbian despot in his attempts to capture Scutari. Faced with such difficult situation Venetian governors were instructed to negotiate peace.

Treaty of Sveti Srdj
The conflict was ended in August 1423, after conclusion of the treaty (the Piece of Sveti Srdj). In the name of Serbian Despotate the treaty was signed by Đurađ Branković (with two witnesses who were Ottoman officials). Branković was despot's representative in Zeta since 1423 and also in charge for all negotiations. According to this treaty Serbian Despotate would keep Drivast and Bar while Venice would keep Scutari, Ulcinj and Kotor. Venice was obliged to return Budva and Grbalj region to Serbia and to pay 1,000 ducats annual tribute for Scutari to Lazarević, which they initially paid to Balša III. Both parties agreed to exchange prisoners and to raze their forts on Bojana which was agreed to be completely in Venetian hands.

After the treaty was signed Francesco Bembo invited George to ceremonial reception organized on his ship sailing over Bojana, followed by other ships of Venetian fleet. George then asked Venice to support him with six galleys if he eventually starts war against Ottomans and to confirm to him all privileges previously held by his father Vuk, knez Lazar or despot Stefan.

Treaty of Vučitrn
Although the treaty of Sveti Srdj was signed there were many issues that remained unresolved. Therefore, the disputes were not fully resolved until the final settlement was achieved by agreement signed in Vučitrn in 1426.

Aftermath
Đurađ Branković succeeded Stefan Lazarević after his death in 1427 and lost control over Bar to Venetians.