Timeline of Skanderbeg

This timeline lists important events relevant to the life of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg (6 May 1405 – 17 January 1468), widely known as Skanderbeg.

1405


 * May 6 — George was born in one of the two villages owned by his grandfather Pal Kastrioti, in Debar region (now along the border between Albania and Macedonia). He was a member of the Kastrioti family. George's father was Gjon Kastrioti (an Ottoman vassal since 1385 ) and mother Vojsava Tripalda. Skanderbeg's parents had nine children, of whom he was the youngest son, his older brothers were Stanisha, Reposh and Kostandin, and his sisters were Mara, Jelena, Angjelina, Vlajka and Mamica.

1409
 * Gjon Kastrioti sent his eldest son, Stanisha, to be the Sultan's hostage.

1423


 * Gjon Kastrioti sent George to be the Sultan's hostage.
 * George soon won the Sultan's confidence and was treated by Murad like his own son.

1423—1426
 * Ottomans gave Skanderbeg a military education in Enderun in Edirne.

1426
 * The First act of Hilandar emerged as a document written on Serbian language and Cyrillic script which is the first written document that contains the name of George Kastriot.
 * In period between 1426 and 1431 Gjon Kastrioti and his three sons (Stanisha, Reposh and George) purchased four adelphates (rights to reside on monastic territory and receive subsidies from monastic resources) to the Saint George tower of Hilandar and to some property within the monastery as stated in the Second Act of Hilandar.

1428
 * Gjon Kastrioti had to seek forgiveness from the Venetian Senate because of Skanderbeg's participation in Ottoman military campaigns against Christians.

1430
 * Gjon Kastrioti was defeated in a battle by the Ottoman governor of Skopje, Isa bey Evrenos and as a result, his territorial possessions were extremely reduced.
 * Skanderbeg gained the title of sipahi because of his merits in expeditions of Murad II.

1431
 * July 31 — Skanderbeg's brother Reposh died as a monk in Serbian Orthodox monastery Hilandar in Mount Athos where he was buried.

1432—1436
 * Although Skanderbeg was summoned home by his relatives when George Arianiti and Andrew Thopia with other chiefs from region between Vlorë and Shkodër organized rebellion against Ottoman Empire in period 1432—1436, he did nothing, remaining loyal to the sultan.
 * Skanderbeg commanded Ottoman cavalry in many different battles in Europe and Asia bringing slaves and loot to Ottoman capitol Adrianople. According to Fan Noli, during one battle in Anatolia he first climbed to the wall, raised Ottoman flag and was first among the Ottoman forces to enter the besieged fortress.

1437
 * 4 May — Gjon Kastrioti died and was buried in Serbian Orthodox monastery of Hilandar in Mount Athos.
 * Skanderbeg expected that he would succeed his father and became the lord of the Kastiotis's domain.
 * Skanderbeg's expectations were not met. Ottomans annexed Gjon's former domain and appointed Skanderbeg as timariot of a timar composed of nine villages in high mountains which until Gjon's death belonged to his domain.
 * Skanderbeg became subaşi of the Krujë Subaşilik of the Sanjak of Albania in period 1437–1438.
 * November - Hizir bey was appointed as subaşi of the Krujë Subaşilik instead of Skanderbeg.

1438
 * Skanderbeg continued fighting within Ottoman forces.
 * May - Skanderbeg's timar (of the vilayet of Dhimitër Jonima) composed of nine villages in high mountains that once belonged to his father Gjon (this timar was listed in Ottoman registers as Gjon's land, Turkish: Yuvan-ili) was awarded to Andre Karlo.
 * The granting of these villages to André Karlo must have upset Skanderbeg who requested to be granted with control over the zeamet in Misia consisting of his father's former domain. Sanjakbey (probably of the Sanjak of Ohrid) objected Skanderbeg's request.

1439
 * 7 July — A letter from Skanderbeg and widow of Gjon Kastrioti was presented by their procurator priest Petar to the Dubrovnik's city council. The letter was written in Slavic language and contained their request to inherit 123 ducats two merchants from Dubrovnik owed to Gjon Kastrioti for customs they did not pay on time. Their request was accepted.

1440


 * Skanderbeg was appointed as sanjakbey of the Sanjak of Dibra.

1443
 * Early November 1443 - Skanderbeg participated in the Battle of Niš fighting for Ottoman Empire under Kasim Pasha against allied forces of John Hunyadi, Władysław III of Poland and Đurađ Branković.
 * Early November 1443 - After the Ottoman forces were defeated in the Battle of Niš, Skanderbeg forced Ottoman scribe to forge the Sultans letter in which sultan Murad II appoints Skanderbeg as the Governor of Krujë.
 * November 28 Together with his nephew Hamza Kastrioti and 300 Ottoman soldiers from Albania Skanderbeg went to Krujë and used forged letter to gain the control of Krujë from Zabel Pasha.
 * Soon after Skanderbeg captured Krujë his rebels managed to capture many Ottoman fortresses including strategically very important Svetigrad (Kodžadžik) taken with support of Moisi Arianit Golemi and 3,000 rebels from Debar.

1444
 * March 2 — A meeting of local regional noblemen from Albania was organized in Venetian town Lezhë, Albania. They agreed to establish an alliance (League of Lezhë) to fight under Skanderbeg's command against the Ottoman Empire.
 * June 29 — Skanderbeg was victorious against the Ottoman forces in the Battle of Torvioll.
 * Skanderbeg's forces stole cattle of the citizens of Lezhë and captured their women and children.
 * November 10 — After winning the Battle of Varna against crusaders of John Hunyadi, sultan Murad II attempted to convince Skanderbeg to return under Ottoman suzerainty. Skanderbeg refused.
 * Nicholas Dukagjini, ambushed and killed another League member, Lekë Zaharia Altisferi.
 * Dukagjini's attempt to capture Zaharia's fortress Dagnum failed.
 * Zaharia's mother ceded to Venice fortress of Dagnum and all other possessions which belonged to her murdered son Zaharia (Drivast, Sati, Gladri and Dushmani).

1445
 * February — Venetian Republic senate confirmed to Skanderbeg and to his brother Staniša that Venice will have the same obligations toward two of them as they had toward their father, promising them Venetian citizenship and safe conduct in case their enemies drive them away.
 * October 10 — Skanderbeg and his forces were victorious in the Battle of Mokra, fought on the mountain of Mokra in Macedonia.

1446
 * Spring - Trough Ragusan diplomats Skanderbeg requested help from the Pope and Kingdom of Hungary to struggle against the Ottomans.
 * September 27 — Skanderbeg was victorious in the Battle of Otonetë (north of Debar, Macedonia).
 * Gjergj Arianiti allied with the Kingdom of Naples.

1447
 * Ottoman forces under command of Sultan Murad II struggled against Skanderbeg with limited results recapturing only a part of the Skanderbeg's territory.
 * Murad mobilized two armies to attack Skanderbeg. One army of 10,000 cavalry led by Ali Feriz Pasha who was supreme commander of the European Ottoman forces and another of 15,000 cavalry and infantry under command of Mustapha Pasha.
 * Murad II abandoned his campaign after receiving the news about preparation for the new Crusade.
 * Skanderbeg claimed to Venice all their towns which were pronoia of murdered Lekë Zaharia Altisferi (Dagnum, Drivast, Sati, Gladri and Dushmani) and also Drivast because it belonged to Serbian Despotate before Venice captured it.
 * To reinforce his intention of gaining control of the former domains of Zeta, Skanderbeg proclaimed himself the heir of the Balšići.
 * Venice refused Skanderbeg's claim and offered him 1,000 ducats to lay aside all claims.
 * Skanderbeg refused Venetian offer.
 * Đurađ Branković, Ottoman vassal and lord of Serbian Despotate, promised to help Skanderbeg to fight against the Venetian Republic.
 * Skanderbeg was ready to join Janos Hunyadi on his crusade, but he was seduced by Alfonso V into making a war against Venice.
 * Skanderbeg attacked Durrës.
 * Skanderbeg failed to capture Venetian towns Bar and Ulcinj after unsuccessful attacks he conducted on behalf of the Kingdom of Naples together with forces of Serbian Despotate led by Đurađ Branković and forces of Principality of Zeta led by Stefan Crnojević.
 * December - Skanderbeg besieged Dagnum, but failed to capture it.
 * December - Skanderbeg's forces reconstructed Baleč fortress and established a garrison of 2,000 men in it with Marin Span as its commander
 * December - Venetian forces (led also by Andrija and Kojčin Humoj, together with Simeon Vulkata) drove away Skanderbeg's forces from Baleč garrison.
 * December - Skanderbeg plundered area around Durrës.

1448


 * March 4 - The Venetian Empire offered a life pension of 100 golden ducats annually for the person who would kill Skanderbeg.
 * Skanderbeg sent a detachment of his troops to the rural areas of the Kingdom of Naples to suppress a rebellion against Alfonso V. Many of them settled there.
 * April - Skanderbeg's forces besieged Durrës and he requested from its citizens annual provision of 400 ducats and two clothing. Citizens of Durrës were willing to accept his request but Senate later rejected such idea because they believed separate peaces would divide weak Venetian forces in area between Durrës and Kotor.
 * June - In action coordinated with Skanderbeg, the lord of Serbian Despotate attacked Venetian towns in the region of Kotor, Budva and Bar.
 * July 23 - Skanderbeg was victorious near Shkoder, against Venetian force of 15,000 men under the command of Daniele Iurichi, governor of Scutari.
 * July 31 - Skanderbeg lost Svetigrad to Ottoman Empire after the siege (May 14 – July 31).
 * Skanderbeg's forces under command of Hamza Kastrioti were defeated after they attacked the Venetian fortress near Dagnum.
 * August 14 - Skanderbeg was victorious in the Battle of Oranik (near modern day Debar, Macedonia).
 * October 4 - Skanderbeg signed the capitulation to the Venice in Shkodër (disguised as peace treaty). Venice was obliged to pay 1,400 dukats annually to Skanderbeg, but never paid it.
 * Skanderbeg asked Republic of Ragusa for a loan to be able to fight against Ottomans. He gave hawks to the Ragusan senate as his gift.
 * Ragusan Senate rejected Skanderbeg's request and granted him 200 ducats. On a session held on November 14 Senate decided what to do with hawks received from Skanderbeg as present.

1449
 * By 1449 Gjergj Arianiti left his alliance with Skanderbeg.
 * Skanderbeg tried to regain Svetigrad but failed.
 * April - Skanderbeg offered 6,000 ducats to gain the status of protectorate of the Republic of Venice.
 * The same amount he was obliged to pay to the Ottoman Empire as its vassal after he was forced to submit to Ottoman suzerainty.
 * Skanderbeg asked Venice to allow him to graze his cattle on Venetian territory (villages Medoa and Vilipoje). Venice allowed him to do so.
 * Skanderbeg sent another detachment of troops to Italy, to garrison Sicily against a rebellion and invasion. This time the troops were led by brothers Giorgio and Basilio Reres, sons of Demetrios.

1450
 * Skanderbeg organized a beginning of the construction of Rodoni Castle.
 * League of Lezhë collapsed when Ottoman forces approached.
 * Skanderbeg left Krujë before it was besieged.
 * May 14 - The Ottoman siege of Krujë began.
 * Arianiti begged Venetians to work on peace between Sultan and Skanderbeg if Ottomans would not capture Krujë.
 * October 14 - Skanderbeg offered Krujë to the Venetians, threatening to capitulate the fortress to the Ottomans if they did not accept it.
 * October 26 - Murad lifted the siege of Krujë.
 * The Venetians replied to Skanderbeg's offer rejecting it and offered to help Skanderbeg to harmonize his relationship with Ottomans
 * The peace was agreed between Ottomans and Skanderbeg who again obliged himself to pay tribute to the sultan.
 * Skanderbeg was at the end of his resources. He lost all of his possessions except Krujë. Other Albanian nobles allied with Murad like he saved them from the oppression. After the Ottoman withdrawal they continued to struggle against Skanderbeg's efforts to enforce his authority.
 * Skanderbeg travelled to Ragusa to urge for and to collect Ragusans' and pope's financial support.

1451
 * January - Skanderbeg was appointed as "captain general of the king of Aragon"
 * March 26 - Skanderbeg signed the Treaty of Gaeta and recognized himself a vassal of the Kingdom of Naples.
 * Pal Dukagjini and Peter Spani remained aligned with Venice and established friendly relations with the Sultan.
 * April 21 - Skanderbeg married Donika Kastrioti, daughter of Gjergj Arianiti in an Eastern Orthodox Ardenica Monastery.
 * Venice continued its efforts to turn Skanderbeg's allies against Kingdom of Naples and Skanderbeg. George Arianiti cut himself off from Albanian politics while Paul Dukagjini, member of Dukagjini Family and father of Lekë Dukagjini, however, prepared for war against Skanderbeg.

1452


 * Rodoni Castle has been constructed.
 * Spring - Giammaria Biemmi claims that Dukagjini attempted to kill Skanderbeg in the spring of 1452. It is not possible to confirm this claim which is supported by some scholars as well as information that Skanderbeg and Dukagjini made peace on 25 September 1452.
 * July 21 - Skanderbeg was victorious in Battle of Modrica and Battle of Meçad where his forces killed Tahip Pasha and captured Hamza Pasha who was ransomed for 13,000 dukats.
 * July - Dukagjini opted for a reconciliation with Skanderbeg.
 * Autumn - Skanderbeg sent his troops to aid the Venetians thwart the attack of Serbian Despotate on the Venetian city of Cattaro.

1453
 * March 5 - Alfonso sent a letter censuring Venice for not paying its dues to Skanderbeg and also for supporting Skanderbeg's enemies. He thus urged for a peremptory measure to all Albanian-Venetian conflicts.
 * April 22 - Skanderbeg was victorious in the Battle of Pollog fought near modern day Tetovo in Macedonia.
 * Alfonso promised to send men and an annual pension of 1,500 ducats to Skanderbeg, whereas Pope Nicholas V sent 5,000 florins.
 * September 18 - Venetians sent a letter to Skanderbeg with praises of his willingness to help Venetians to negotiate peace with Serbian despot.
 * September 25 - Ragusa has decided to give deposits of Stefan Branković to Skanderbeg's envoys.

1454
 * Skanderbeg signed peace treaty with Dukagjini Family after many years of skirmishes between them.
 * Skanderbeg's son Gjon was born.
 * October 9 — Venetian Senate allowed governor of Alessio Petro Marcello to accompany Skanderbeg during his travel to Italy.
 * October 21 - Alphonso V from his Castel Nuovo writes to Skanderbeg that Paul Dukagjini sent his envoys and declared his loyalty and vassalage to the Kingdom of Naples. Based on that Alphonso V awarded Paul Dukagjini with 300 ducats of annual provisions.

1455
 * July - Skanderbeg's forces (supported with strong contingent of Neapolitans from Alphonso V) were badly defeated when they failed to capture Berat during the Siege of Berat. Muzaka Thopia was killed in the battle while Moisi Arianit Golemi deserted to the Ottomans

1456
 * By May * Gjergj Arianiti allied with Venice.
 * May 18 - Skanderbeg was victorious in the another Battle of Oranik.
 * According to Fan Noli, Gjergj Stress Balsha, sold the fortress of Modric to the Ottomans for 30,000 silver ducats. He tried to cover up the act; however, his treason was discovered and he was sent to prison in Naples.
 * November 4 - According to the reports sent to Duchy of Milan, Skanderbeg helped Leke Dukagjini to capture Venetian held Dagnum.
 * November 9 — According to one report Venetians had intention to attack Skanderbeg because he was a supporter of Alfonso V of Aragon to whom he granted Kruje, so Skanderbeg's men have to go all the way to Venetian held Durazo or Scutari if they want to fight against Ottomans.

1457
 * Hamza Kastrioti, Skanderbeg's own nephew and his close collaborator, defected to the Ottomans.
 * July - Skanderbeg requested from Venetians to allow his forces to cross Venetian territory because they wanted to attack Ottoman positions in Upper Zeta. Senate refused his request.
 * August - Venetians recaptured Dagnum from Leke Dukagjini after fierce battle and significant casualties. Venetian forces led by Andrea Venier were supported by Skanderbeg.
 * September 2 - Skanderbeg was victorious in the Battle of Albulena.

1458
 * June 27 Alfonso V died.
 * Skanderbeg accepted Ottoman suzerainty.
 * July 27 — According to some reports, Ottoman Empire captured Albanian mountains and Skanderbeg came to Kruje with 200 soldiers awarded to him by Ferdinand I of Naples. Venetian commander of Kruje garrison was supposedly afraid that Skanderbeg would surrender Kruje to the Ottomans and did not allow him to enter the castle. Skanderbeg returned to Alessio and some rumors say that he intend to approach to Hungarian king for help.

1459
 * 13 June - Skanderbeg collected 1,900 ducats out of his deposit in Ragusa
 * June - Skanderbeg ceded the fortress Sati to Venice in order to establish cordial relation with Venice before sending his forces to Italy to help Ferrante I of Naples who had been suffering a dynastic dispute after the death of Alfonso V. Before Venetians took over the control over Sati, Skanderbeg captured it and surrounding area driving Lekë Dukagjini and his forces away, because he opposed to Skanderbeg and destroyed Sati before Venetian takeover.
 * Although Skanderbeg had intention to accept the Ottoman proposal for the three year armistice, the pope did not allow him and he had to refuse it. To show his discontent Skanderbeg refused to participate in the Council of Mantua held to plan the future crusade.

1460
 * Skanderbeg sent his nephew, Constantine, with 500 cavalry to Barletta, to struggle for Ferrante I of Naples.

1461
 * Mid June - Skanderbeg agreed to a ceasefire with Mehmed which was agreed to last for three years.
 * Skanderbeg went to Italy to join his nephew in struggle for Ferrante I.

1462
 * July 7 - Skanderbeg was victorious in the Battle of Mokra against the Ottoman forces led by Sinan bey.
 * August - Skanderbeg was victorious in three battles against the Ottomans during his Macedonian campaign in only one month:
 * in Mokra against the forces led by Hasan bey.
 * in Pollog against the forces led by Isuf bey.
 * in Livad against the forces led by Karaza bey.

1463
 * April 26 — Venetians allowed Skanderbeg and his forces to cross the territory of Venetian domains to support Stjepan Vukčić Kosača.
 * April 27 - Skanderbeg signed the Peace of Ushkub, a peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire.
 * August 1 — Venetian Senate decided to send an envoy ("unus nobilis orator") to make peace between Stjepan Kosača and his son Vladislav and between Skanderbeg and neighboring noblemen.
 * August 20 - Skanderbeg signed a treaty of alliance with Republic of Venice and based on this treaty he fought as ally of Venice during the Ottoman–Venetian War until his death.
 * September 25 - Venetian Senate accepts Skanderbeg's son Gjon as Venetian nobleman, a member of the Great Council of Venice.
 * October 15 — Paladin Gundulić concluded a contract on behalf of Skanderbeg with a couple of craftsmen to built a ship for Skanderbeg on the territory of Albania. They were paid in advance, under condition not to return from Albania until they build a ship.
 * November - Pope proclaimed his intention to organize the crusade against Ottoman Empire with Skanderbeg as one of its main leaders.
 * Lekë Dukagjini accepted to participate in the crusade only after pope's intervention.

1464


 * September 14 or 15 - Skanderbeg and his Venetian allies were victorious in the Battle of Ohrid against the forces of Şeremet bey, sanjakbey of the Sanjak of Ohrid.
 * September - Skanderbeg besieged Ohrid but failed to capture it.

1465


 * April - Some of Skanderbeg's most trusted men were captured by the Ottoman forces under command of Ballaban Badera, a new sanjakbey of the Sanjak of Ohrid, during the Battle of Vaikal. They were executed after being tortured for 15 days.
 * June - Skanderbeg defeated Ottoman forces led by Ballaban Badera in the Battle of Meçad, near Oranik in Upper Dibra, Macedonia.
 * August - Skanderbeg defeated Ottoman forces led by Ballaban Badera in another Battle of Vaikal, near Oranik.
 * August - Skanderbeg defeated Ottoman forces led by Jakup Arnauti in the Battle of Kashari

1466


 * Skanderbeg supported Venetian appointment of Ivan Crnojević as Duke.
 * June - The siege of Krujë began with Skanderbeg being outside of the Krujë.
 * July - Elbasan Castle has been constructed by the Ottoman Empire.
 * August 14 - The Venetian senate requested from Skanderbeg to attack Elbasan Castle (with help of the forces of Venetian provveditori of Albania).
 * Skanderbeg's attempt to capture Elbasan ended in failure.
 * Skanderbeg retreated to Rodoni Castle from where he and his family, together with many people from Albania, were transported to Brindisi in 14 ships.
 * October - By the end of October, Skanderbeg began his voyage to Italy while Krujë remained under the siege.
 * December 12 - Skanderbeg reached Rome. According to eyewitnesses he came in poverty, with only a few horses.
 * December - Pope gave 300 ducats to Skanderbeg to support his stay in Rome and offered him lodging in Palazzo Venezia but Skanderbeg decided to stay at his friend's house which was in the same square.
 * December 25 - Pope Paul II invited Skanderbeg to a ceremony where he was awarded with a sword and helmet

1467
 * January 7 - Together with pope Skanderbeg attended to a consistory and discussed the pope's unsuccessful appeal to fund Skanderbeg with 5,000 ducats.
 * February 14 - Skanderbeg departed from Rome.
 * February and March
 * Skanderbeg visited Ferdinand I of Naples who granted him 1,500 ducats and 300 carts of grain.
 * Ferdinand I of Naples and Ottoman ambassador signed peace treaty.
 * Skanderbeg left the court of Ferdinand I and returned to Albania.
 * Spring
 * Skanderbeg met with Giosafat Barbaro in Scutari, the Venetian provveditore in Albania Veneta, and gathered help from Venetian nobles.
 * Skanderbeg met with Dukagjini and other northern Albanian nobles in Alessio (Lezhë) where once distant Albanian nobles, together with lukewarm Dukagjini, allied themselves with Skanderbeg to assault Ballaban's forces.
 * April 23 - Skanderbeg entered Krujë.
 * Spring - Skanderbeg attacked Elbassan but his attempt to capture it failed. He only managed to laid waste the lower city, but its citadel defied to the assaults of Skanderbeg's forces.
 * Summer - Ottoman sultan Mehmed II besieged Kruje while Ottoman grand vizier Mahmud Pasha Angelović pursued Skanderbeg who fled to the seacoast.
 * Rodoni castle has been destroyed.
 * July 28 — Venetian Senate invites Skanderbeg to defend Scutari, Kruje and Durazzo while Venice would provide armies and funds.
 * According to some reports, Skanderbeg and his army supported by Venetian fleet, rejected an Ottoman attempt to capture Durazzo.

1468
 * January - Skandebeg attempted to organize a meeting of the local noblemen in Lezhë.
 * January 17 - Skanderbeg died of malaria in Lezhë, Republic of Venice. He is buried there in Saint Nicholas Church.
 * February 24 — King of Naples ordered to inform Skanderbeg's widow and son that he will award them a ship and accept them in his kingdom.