Battle of Durazzo (1376)

1376 battle between Albanian and French forces in modern-day Albania

Battle of Durazzo

Durrës Castle during the middle ages
| Date| Midsummer of 1376

|

Location|

Durazzo

Result|

* Navarrese victory, Louis of Évreux captures Durrës and re-establishes the Kingdom of Albania
* 7 Years Later Karl Thopia invades Durrës and completely destroys the Kingdom of Albania[1]

Belligerents
Principality of Albania|  Navarrese Company Kingdom of Navarre Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Karl Thopia|  Louis of Évreux
Pedro de la Saga
Mahiot de Coquerel
John de Urtubia
Garro
Strength
Unknown|  Unknown

The Battle of Durazzo (Albanian: Beteja e Durrës), was fought in the midsummer of 1376, between the Principality of Albania under Karl Thopia and Navarrese Company under Louis of Évreux at Durrës.[2][3] The Navarrese Company who were hired by Louis of Évreux to support him in recovering his newly acquired rights of Durazzo and the Kingdom of Albania.

## Background[edit]

Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo who was the eldest daughter of Charles, Duke of Durazzo inherited the rights to the Kingdom of Albania after her father's death, and reigned as a duchess.[4] In 1365 Louis of Évreux married Joanna and inherited the rights to the Kingdom of Albania becoming the Duke of Durazzo by right of his wife.[5] Karl Thopia from the Albanian Thopia family conquered and took control of Durrës in 1368 and incorporated it into the Principality of Albania. Durrës held the last of the Angevins, they held out the kingdom before Karl Thopia conquered Durrës which led to the Kingdom of Albania becoming disestablished.[6][7] After this event occurred Louis made various attempts to expel the intruders from Durazzo and Albania as a whole, but these documents have been lost to obscurity.[8]

## Battle[edit]

Louis of Évreux's brother Charles II of Navarre who was King of Navarre.

The great final effort by Louis of Évreux to regain his right to rule over the Kingdom of Albania and reestablish it began. In 1372 he planned to expel the intruders from his land at once. Louis hired four companies of knights from Navarre who are referred to as the Navarrese Company.[9] More soldiers were recruited and added to the numbers of the Navarrese Company, but the chief contingents and the most important leaders were engaged by 1375–1376. These soldiers came directly from Navarre to Albania and many extensive preparations were made for this invasion. But little is known about the overall expedition to Albania.[10] Louis received much assistance from his brother Charles II of Navarre who was the King of Navarre and from Charles V of France who was the King of France.[11][12] The ranks of the Navarre Company swelled considerably in 1375 with new recruits directly from Navarre. The four leaders of the Navarrese Company were Pedro de la Saga, Mahiot de Coquerel, both of which who were chamberlains of the Navarrese king. John de Urtubia and finally Garro or Guarro who is referred to as squires in a document.[13] The battle began in the Midsummer of 1376 and Louis and the Navarrese Company were successful in occupying Durrës. Officially Reestablishing the Kingdom of Albania.[14][15][16][17]

## Aftermath[edit]

Karl Thopia Prince of Albania.

After Louis of Évreux and the Navarrese Company succeeded in gaining back Durrës and establishing the Kingdom of Albania. Louis of Évreux died shortly after in the same year.[18][19][20][21] Since the Navarrese Company was under the service of Louis their contract was terminated soon after his death.[22] It is possible that the Navarrese Company may have continued to serve the widow Joanna of Durazzo until her second marriage.[23] Left stranded after Louis's death and anxious to return to their homes in Navarre and Gascony the Navarrese Company spent two or three difficult years in Durazzo.[24][25][26] After those few years passed the Navarrese Company passed into Morea leaving Durrës and going into the service of Jacques de Baux, John of Urtubia or Nerio Acciajuoli.[27][28][29][30] Durrës remained under the control of Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo and her second husband Robert IV of Artois, Count of Eu for a few years until Karl Thopia invaded Durrës in 1383. Leading to the Disestablishment of the Kingdom of Albania for the final time.[31][32]

## See also[edit]

* Karl Thopia
* Louis, Duke of Durazzo
* Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo
* Robert IV of Artois, Count of Eu
* Kingdom of Albania (medieval)

## References[edit]

1. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...The Angevins retained Durazzo for a time, for in 1379 Joanna's new husband, Robert of Artois, is found issuing to Dubrovnik a charter pertaining to Durazzo. Karlo Thopia, who held the territory both north and south of the city, soon, probably in 1383, regained possession of Durazzo..."
2. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...Interested in realizing these rights, Louis hired four companies of knights from Navarre, who are usually referred to as the Navarrese Company, and took Durazzo, probably in 1376. ..."
3. ^ John L. La Monte. The world of the Middle Ages : a reorientation of medieval history. Appleton-Century-Crofts. p. 526\. ISBN 978-0-8919-7473-4. "...the Navarrese Company, who attacked Albania and captured Durazzo in 1376. These Navarrese were mercenaries who had been in the service of Charles of Navarre and had been sent to Greece to press the claims of his brother, Louis of Evreux, to the Kingdom of Albania..."
4. ^ Women In Power (1300-1350)
5. ^ Woodacre 2013, p. xx.
6. ^ J. M. Hussey. The Cambridge medieval history. Volume IV. Part I, The Byzantine empire. Byzantium and its neighbours. University Press. p. 419\. ISBN 978-0-5210-4535-3. "...In 1368, however, Albania , together with Durazzo, had fallen to the Albanian lord Charles Topia, who took the title of king..."
7. ^ Setton, Kenneth. A History of the Crusades: The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, edited by Harry W. Hazard. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 215\. ISBN 978-0-2990-6670-3. "...In 1368 the kingdom of Albania, together with the city of Durazzo, had fallen to the Albanian lord Charles Topia, and Louis of Évreux was faced with no inconsiderable task if he would give effect to his right to rule over the "kingdom" he had thought to possess through his marriage to the heiress Joanna..."
8. ^ Rodd, Rennell. The Princes of Achaia and the Chronicles of Morea: A Study of Greece in the Middle Ages, Volume 2. Forgotten Books. p. 221\. ISBN 978-0-6561-3237-9. "...The story of the various attempts made by Louis d'Évreux to expel the intruders is lost in obscurity..."
9. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...Interested in realizing these rights, Louis hired four companies of knights from Navarre, who are usually referred to as the Navarrese Company, and took Durazzo, probably in 1376. ..."
10. ^ Setton, Kenneth. A History of the Crusades: The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, edited by Harry W. Hazard. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 215\. ISBN 978-0-2990-6670-3. "...In 1372 very active recruiting added to the numbers of the new Navarrese Company, but the chief contingents and most important leaders were engaged in 1375 and 1376, and they passed, for the most part, directly from Navarre to Albania. Extensive preparations were made for the expedition, and almost a score of names of military contractors have come down to us in the enrolment lists of 1375-1376. Of the details of Louis's Albanian expedition little is known..."
11. ^ Setton, Kenneth. A History of the Crusades: The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, edited by Harry W. Hazard. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 215\. ISBN 978-0-2990-6670-3. "...Louis received much assistance from his royal brother of Navarre and from Charles V of France. ..."
12. ^ Rodd, Rennell. The Princes of Achaia and the Chronicles of Morea: A Study of Greece in the Middle Ages, Volume 2. Forgotten Books. p. 292\. ISBN 978-0-6561-3237-9. "...when there is evidence that a supreme effort was made to re-establish his ascendency in Albania with the support of his brother the King of Navarre..."
13. ^ J. M. Hussey. The Cambridge medieval history. Volume IV. Part I, The Byzantine empire. Byzantium and its neighbours. University Press. p. 419\. ISBN 978-0-5210-4535-3. "...These leaders were Pedro de la Saga and Mahiot de Coquerel, both chamberlains of the Navarrese king, and John de Urtubia and a certain Garro or Guarro, called squires in the documents..."
14. ^ Setton, Kenneth. A History of the Crusades: The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, edited by Harry W. Hazard. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 216\. ISBN 978-0-2990-6670-3. "...but Durazzo was apparently occupied in the midsummer of 1376..."
15. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...and took Durazzo, probably in 1376..."
16. ^ John L. La Monte. The world of the Middle Ages : a reorientation of medieval history. Appleton-Century-Crofts. p. 526\. ISBN 978-0-8919-7473-4. "...the Navarrese Company, who attacked Albania and captured Durazzo in 1376..."
17. ^ J. M. Hussey. The Cambridge medieval history. Volume IV. Part I, The Byzantine empire. Byzantium and its neighbours. University Press. p. 419\. ISBN 978-0-5210-4535-3. "...The Navarrese Company succeeded in occupying Durazzo, apparently in the midsummer of 1376..."
18. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "... Shortly thereafter Louis died, probably still in 1376..."
19. ^ Setton, Kenneth. A History of the Crusades: The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, edited by Harry W. Hazard. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 215\. ISBN 978-0-2990-6670-3. "...Louis died about the same time, and shortly thereafter his widow Joanna married duke Robert of Artois..."
20. ^ Rodd, Rennell. The Princes of Achaia and the Chronicles of Morea: A Study of Greece in the Middle Ages, Volume 2. Forgotten Books. p. 221\. ISBN 978-0-6561-3237-9. "...Louis himself appears to have died in 1376..."
21. ^ J. M. Hussey. The Cambridge medieval history. Volume IV. Part I, The Byzantine empire. Byzantium and its neighbours. University Press. p. 419\. ISBN 978-0-5210-4535-3. "...But Louis died about this time, and when his wife Joanna promptly remarried..."
22. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...since the kngihts had been in Louis' personal service, they regarded their contract as terminated ..."
23. ^ Rodd, Rennell. The Princes of Achaia and the Chronicles of Morea: A Study of Greece in the Middle Ages, Volume 2. Forgotten Books. p. 298\. ISBN 978-0-6561-3237-9. "...It is possible that they continued for a time to serve his widow, the Duchess Joan of Durazzo, who, after her first husband's death, contracted a second marriage with Count Robert of Artois..."
24. ^ J. M. Hussey. The Cambridge medieval history. Volume IV. Part I, The Byzantine empire. Byzantium and its neighbours. University Press. p. 419\. ISBN 978-0-5210-4535-3. "...The Company spent two or three very difficult years in Durazzo..."
25. ^ John L. La Monte. The world of the Middle Ages : a reorientation of medieval history. Appleton-Century-Crofts. p. 526\. ISBN 978-0-8919-7473-4. "...Left stranded by the death of Louis..."
26. ^ Setton, Kenneth. A History of the Crusades: The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, edited by Harry W. Hazard. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 216\. ISBN 978-0-2990-6670-3. "...Most of the Navarrese Company spent about two hard years in impoverished Durazzo. Anxious to return to their homes in Navarre and Gascony, and considering their allegiance to Joanna terminated by her second marriage..."
27. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...We shall soon meet some of these Navarrese in the Morea..."
28. ^ Rodd, Rennell. The Princes of Achaia and the Chronicles of Morea: A Study of Greece in the Middle Ages, Volume 2. Forgotten Books. p. 221\. ISBN 978-0-6561-3237-9. "...the Navarrese then disappear from history until the year 1380, when the company reappears in the service of Jacques de Baux..."
29. ^ J. M. Hussey. The Cambridge medieval history. Volume IV. Part I, The Byzantine empire. Byzantium and its neighbours. University Press. p. 419\. ISBN 978-0-5210-4535-3. "...Although we do not know any details of the Navarrese withdrawal from Durazzo John de Urtubia, apparently the first Navarrese captain to arrive in the Morea, may have entered the service of Nerio Acciajuoli by April 1378..."
30. ^ John L. La Monte. The world of the Middle Ages : a reorientation of medieval history. Appleton-Century-Crofts. p. 526\. ISBN 978-0-8919-7473-4. "...they passed into Morea in 1378. In the spring and early summer of 1379, some of them, under a certain John of Urtubia..."
31. ^ John V. A. Fine (jr.), John Van Antwerp Fine. The Late Medieval Balkans A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. p. 384\. ISBN 978-0-4720-8260-5. "...The Angevins retained Durazzo for a time, for in 1379 Joanna's new husband, Robert of Artois, is found issuing to Dubrovnik a charter pertaining to Durazzo. Karlo Thopia, who held the territory both north and south of the city, soon, probably in 1383, regained possession of Durazzo..."
32. ^ Fine (1994), p. 384.

## Sources[edit]

* 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 0-472-08260-4.
* Woodacre, Elena (2013). The Queens Regnant of Navarre: Succession, Politics, and Partnerships, 1274-1512. Palgrave Macmillan.