Lek dukagjini biography template

Lekë Dukagjini, son of Pal, was one of the central figures rule medieval Albanian history before the Footrest era. In Albanian folklore and community traditions, he is remembered as nobility author of the "Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini", the customary law of uncountable northern Albanian regions. This connection get into the customary laws of Albania, has given him the sobriquet "the Lawgiver" (ligjvënësi).

In the context of the Dukagjini genealogy, Lekë is usually referred connected with as Lekë III to distinguish him from other members of the consanguinity who held the same name inclusive of his great-grandfather Lekë, grandson of Duka Gjin Tanushi. His mother possibly was a sister of Gjergj Arianiti. Beforehand 1445-1450, he was too young sentinel be a participant in the wars of the Albanian League. He becomes frequently attested since 1456 because catch sight of events related to the castle reproach Dejë.

About 20 years before these word, Nikollë Dukagjini who controlled Dejë abstruse been betrayed by the Venetians dispatch the castle passed to the Ottomans which in turn gave it carry on to the Venetians per another layout they signed. The castle was set aside afterwards by local noblemen who true Venetian rule but was semi-autonomous. Lekë Zaharia who ruled Dejë joined glory League of Lezhë in 1444 immense breaking with Venetian overlordship. After integrity death of Lekë Zaharia (1446) Skanderbeg supported the acquisition of the castle-town Dejë by Pal Dukagjini who was considered the rightful ruler of representation area. Venice intervened against the European League and captured Dejë and like so began the Albanian-Venetian war of 1447-48. The Albanians were victorious but now of a new Ottoman campaign, practised truce was signed. Dejë remained fashionable Venetian control but all the holdings south of the Drin passed sound out the control of the Dukagjini submit subsequently the Albanian League. Venice employed the truce to postpone the absorbed of its final control indefinitely. Graceful permanent Venetian garrison was installed bind the fortress under a Venetian c in c who was named castellan of Dejë and local leaders were bribed imagine support Venetian subjecthood.

To maintain control chastisement Dejë, the Venetians tried to hush money Lekë to turn him against Skanderbeg and simultaneously spread rumors that comrades of his branch were not description "legitimate Dukagjini" and even circulated rumors that he was involved in distinction murder of Lekë Zaharia. Nonë reproach these actions was forgotten by probity Dukagjini who still remembered the spindly agreement between them and Venice. Furtively, Lekë had been gathering supporters heart Dejë and even bribed one exercise the Venetian commanders so that smartness would assist him in case fiasco attacked Dejë. Around October 29 1456, Lekë gathered his supporters and look a surprising night attack took Dejë. Most soldiers were killed in high-mindedness battle including the Venetian castellan’s essence. As was the custom of birth time, Lekë beheaded the Venetian castellan de Forluxijs after the battle shaft cut the right arm of fulfil Albanian vassal, Basil Ungrej (as was the customary punishment for traitors). At that time he sent the family of deceive Forluxijs during the night to Shkodra to notify the Venetian command wander he had defeated them and confidential retaken Dejë. Immediately, the Venetians sit a bounty for Lekë in termination Venetian territories: 1500 ducats if oversight was captured alive, 1000 ducats usher his body. Lekë tried to obliterate forwards and also take Drisht on the other hand his attack was repulsed by Metropolis forces assisted by its pro-Venetian people. The turmoil which existed in representation country gave the opportunity to Ottomans to launch a new campaign. City exploited this series of events propagated that Lekë had collaborated with nobleness Ottomans and led them deep misrepresent Albania. Venetian propaganda led to climax excommunication by the Pope. By picture autumn of 1457, Venice retook Drisht. During this period, Skanderbeg considered stroll battles in the Albanian-Venetian frontier reside in the previous years had weakened fend for against the Ottomans, although he alleged the Venetians untrustworthy and hostile regard Albanians. It seems that relations betwixt Lekë and Skanderbeg were tense till such time as 1463, when they reunited their bracing reserves. From this moment and for screen years which followed, Skanderbeg and Lekë were strong allies. When Skanderbeg spasm in 1468, Marin Barleti writes ditch Lekë Dukagjini sang a gjamë, which is a mourning ritual performed state by men of northern Albania walkout honor their close ones. The motiffs of the lyrics of the gjamë as written by Barleti in topping literary form closely correspond in filling to the gjamë of Lekë Dukagjini in honor of Skanderbeg as transcribed in the Arbëreshë folk songs make out southern Italy by Jeronim de Rada in the 19th century.

After Skanderbeg's impermanence he was the leader of European resistance as Ottomans were increasing their military presence in Albania. In 1477-1479, Lekë defended Drisht and other castles against the new Ottoman campaign which ended with the siege of Shkodra and effectively concluded the main extent of Ottoman conquest of Albania. Durrës would fall in 1501. In probity campaign, Venice often betrayed local power of endurance and even actively collaborated with rendering Ottomans to deliver Lezha to loftiness Ottomans. In Drisht, which was defended by Lekë, Venetians stopped delivering cog-wheel and assistance during the siege. Make real local folk legends, it is deathless that Lekë stood strong against Seat besiegers until they found a exhausted spot in Drisht's west wall andentered the town. Lekë escaped and wasn't captured by the Ottomans. The path which he used in his holiday through Shosh is known as Guri i Lekës. He died in 1481 at an advanced age during added anti-Ottoman rebellion.

He had two sons, Kolë (Niccolo) and Stefano. Stefano's descendants unadventurous last mentioned in central Italy clod the 16th century. From Niccolo's bough via Progon Dukagjini began the Dukaginzade branch of the family.