Diplomatic correspondence with Dubrovnik (1387)

Scanned document published in Gazeta Dielli, September 2021

The above text depicts the correspondence of the brothers Lekë (great-grandfather of Lekë III Dukagjini) and Pal Dukagjini with the Republic of Ragusa in 1387. In the correspondence which designates a form of trade treaty between Dubrovnik (Ragusa) and the Dukagjini territories, the two brothers guaranteed safe passage from Lezha to Prizren to merchants from Dubrovnik. The Dukagjini could guarantee uninterrupted trade between these two points because they controlled the two cities and the territories between the two of them.

Translation of the letter sent by the Dukagjini to the Senate of Dubrovnik:

From Lekë Dukagjini and his brother Pal

To the honorable nobility of the citizens of Dubrovnik

On my honor and the honor of my brother, I write to you to guarantee you that you will have free passage in my land without fear of anything. As customs you have to pay the customary fees which you paid to the noblemen who have ruled in this land in the past, without any fear or hesitation, because we have made peace with the Turks. God bless you.

The date of the letter is 30 December 1387