The Dukagjini in the 14th century
In the beginning of the 14th century, there was probably just one Dukagjini alive. By the end of the century, the family increased so much that it’s difficult to determine how many Dukagjini lived in various parts of northern Albania. Gjon Muzaka’s 16th century chronicle frequently makes mention of the many Dukagjini of this era. The author, however, admitted that even he who was married to a member of the Dukagjini family (Maria) couldn’t remember how many they were. Throughout the 14th century, the Dukagjini lands extended from Lezha to Prizren traversing many of the northern Albanian territories.
Our guide to the family in the 14th century is the collection of archival documents and later genealogies which combined provide an accurate depiction.
Duka Gjin Tanushi is mentioned in 1281. He was captured and imprisoned by his Angevine adversaries in Durrës, but was later released with other nobles. Muzaka writes that he was killed in a dispute with the Catholic bishop of his region. According to the story, which closely resembles folk legends in the area, the bishop looked in an inappropriate way at his wife and Gjin avenged her honour and killed him in the church of Ndërfandë. The churchmen gathered a mob and killed Gjin and his entire family. The only one who survived was his son who was hidden and rescued by a loyal ally of Gjin, Stefan Progani of Kallmet.
Progani raised Gjin’s son as his own. When the young man grew up he was married with Progani’s daughter and together they regained the Dukagjini lands. In the three last decades of the 14th century, the Dukagjini, regained lands from the Balsha and other families. The Dukagjini had become known in the region, especially in Ragusa. A Ragusan document which dates to June 30, 1377 mentions a Nicolaus, son Stephanus Ducagini who was involved in economic affairs in the city. Dukagjini lands expanded from the city of Lezha to the city of Prizren along the old Roman trade route Lissus-Naissus. The 15th century Ragusan chronicle Annales Anonimi Ragusini attributed such importance to the Dukagjini that it mentions a legendary story according to which the “Ducagini of Arbania” attacked and tried to take the city in 7th century.
The heartland of the family was the inner Fan area of Mirdita and Zadrima. The expansion to the north to Pult left a historical mark in the area, as it became known as the Dukagjin highlands and the expansion to Prizren forged the “Rrafshi i Dukagjinit” (Dukagjin Field) in western Kosovo. This was the area claimed by Dhimitër Progoni in the 13th century.
Specific members of the Dukagjini family led different settlements and communities. For example, a Gjergj Dukagjini was head of Balldren and Kakarriq and another controlled 9 villages in Zadrimë. A December 1387 document sent to the senate of Ragusa on behalf of the brothers Lekë (great-grandfather of Lekë III ) and Pal, Lords of the city of Lezha guaranteed Ragusan traders free and safe passage to Prizren. The two brothers had signed with the Ottomans a peace treaty which seemed stable at the time. By 1393, Pal died. He had five sons: Tanush i Vogël, Progon, Pal, Andrea, Gjon. Lekë had two sons: Progon and Tanush i Madh (who is sometimes erroneously called Gjergj).
As the Ottomans advanced and Balkan principalities were becoming their vassals, the Dukagjini were forced to hand over the city of Lezha to the Venetians in the belief that this decision would protect its people. Under the agreement, the Dukagjini would keep all of their assets in Lezha, including their five big estates near the castle. No enemies of the family would be allowed to enter the city. Lekë’s sons Progon and Tanush i Madh inherited the Lezha estates. Progon in 1394 was married to Vojsava Thopia, daughter of Karl Thopia, Lord of Durrës. By 1397, he had gained the castle of Shati (in Venetian territory) and was its commander. According to a document which dates to 27 May 1402, he had died fighting on the walls of Shati against the Ottomans. His widow Vojsava received a pension from Venice and lived in Durrës. It’s unclear if they had heirs. Another Progon died in the same period, Pal’s son who lived in Dalmatia. Some Dukagjini had relocated to the city of Shkodër under Venetian administration.
Tanush i Madh of Lezha must have died by 1401 because Venetian documents show that their assets in Lezha were to be taken over by them. It’s likely that after the deaths of Lekë and Tanush, the Venetians revoked the agreement and took over Dukagjini estates. This action must have been seen as a great injustice by the Dukagjini of Lezha who, not coincidentally, in the 15th century were enemies of Venice in many disputes. It is in these turbulent circumstances that the young Pal, firstborn son of Tanush i Madh was raised by Gjon Kastrioti, Skanderbeg’s father. The exploitation of Ottoman advance by the Venetians to seize Dukagjini and Kastrioti lands and their attempt to form a loyal Dukagjini faction in Shkodra created the setting for the two-front war of Albanians against both Ottomans and Venetians in the long 15th century.