Biography of Skanderbeg: the Albanian Dragon (1405-1468)

In the early 15th century the Balkans and Eastern Europe as a whole suffered under Ottoman raids and conquest. The Ottoman Sultan figured fragmented Albania would be an easy conquest.
However, ironically, the Ottomans faced some of the most fierce resistance from the Albanians. The celebrated Albanian commander and Ottoman deserter George Kastrioti united the fragmented chieftains and princes. Better known as Skanderbeg, he led one of the longest and most successful rebellions against the mighty Ottoman Empire, using the mountainous territory and guerilla tactics to keep his head above water against all odds.

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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:12 Ottoman Captivity
3:33 Skanderbeg's Defection
6:42 Skanderbeg's Early Rebellion (1443-1448)
11:16 Rebellion Continues (1448-1458)
14:53 The Crusade (1458-1468)

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John Kastrioti was an Albanian lord living in the early 15th century. The wealthy, noble Albanian House of Kastrioti governed a significant chunk of territory in current-day northern Albania and bordering Macedonia and Kosovo.

In 1405 Gjon had a son, George Kastrioti. This boy was born in either Diber or Kruje into a large orthodox family. For decades Albanian nobles resisted the ever-expanding Ottoman Empire. Gjergj’s father was no different. He successfully fought several military campaigns. However, when in 1421 Murad II’s numerically superior army beat him, they captured George and three of his brothers forcing John to become a vassal.

The boys were transported to Edirne, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Gjergj converted to Islam. According to Turkish chroniclers, the boy showed a great talent for military matters and strategy, was dexterous and intelligent. He left a good impression at the court, and as a son of an Ottoman vassal, the Sultan allowed him to receive a military education. Distinguishing himself at military school, his name was changed to Iskender, referring to Alexander the Great. Although historiography loses sight of his whereabouts for a few years, it is safe to assume he participated in military campaigns of the Ottomans.

Somewhere along his military service, Gjergj received the title Bey, meaning as much as chieftain, often given to military commanders. The name Iskander Bey would later, by the Albanians, be morphed to Skanderbeg. And with this name, he would enter history, becoming one of the greatest Albanian heroes.

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Sources:

Kristo Frasheri - The History of Albania
LV Staviranos - History of the Balkans

Written by House of History

Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Photos, paintings and imagery: Public Domain, Wikicommons

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