Gjergj Arianiti
Gjergj Arianiti (1383–1462) was an Albanian feudal lord who led several successful campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. He was the father of Donika, Skanderbeg's wife, as well as the grand-uncle of Moisi Arianit Golemi. Gjergj Arianiti was Skanderbeg's ally within League of Lezhë only for a short period of time because he abandoned their alliance after the defeat in Berat in 1450, to return after a while. Robert Elsie emphasizes that Arianiti was often Skanderbeg's rival who allied with the Kingdom of Naples in 1446, left his alliance with Skanderbeg by 1449 and allied  with Venice in 1456. However his daughter married Skanderbeg and he remained officially as part of the League of Lezhe and continued fighting Ottomans successfully up to his death in 1462. Name. His name is most commonly known in the Albanian form, "Gjergj Arianiti". In English, it is usually rendered as George Arianiti. His full name in English is spelled "George Arianiti Thopia Comneni" in Fan Noli's translated work. In corrspondence with Slavic chancelleries, his name appears in the Slavic form as "Golem Arianit Komnenovic" (Golemi Arenit Cominovich), and a 1452 document referring to him as "Golemi Arenit Comninovich  de Albania". The word "golem" is Slavic and means "large". Another form of his surname, "Haryanites", was used in a French document of the Charles VII era. Origin and early life. Gjergj Arianitis father was Komnen Arianiti, whose domains were in the vicinity of Durrës ("in partibus Durrachii"). According to Franz Babinger and Lindsay L. Brook, Arianiti's mother was certainly a daughter of Nicolò Sevati; while according to Dhimitër Shuteriqi a daughter of Nikollë Zaharia. Gjergj was the oldest of three sons, his two brothers being Muzaka and Vladan. He married Maria Muzaka, and from this he acquired a  territory from Mallakastra to south of Vlorë. His territories eventually reached northwards to Debar and later were expanded to Monastir. The center of his dominions were located between Librazhd and Elbasan. Since 1423 he fell under Ottoman political influence and probably resided at the sultan's palace as hostage to secure loyalty of his tribesmen. In 1427 he returned to Albania to govern his lands. Campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. Revolt of 1432–36. The Ottoman conquest of certain parts of southern Albania brought Ottoman legal, political, and economic systems into the country, influencing all nobles and threatening to destroy the  feudal system and autonomy of the nobles. These reforms took away much of Gjergj's power, but he remained a ruler of his lands, even though as a vassal of the Sultan. These drastic changes encouraged revolts against the Ottomans, of which Gjergj Arianiti was one of the main leaders. In the spring of 1432, after the first phase of the reforms ended, an Albanian revolt erupted which spread to much of Albania. The first revolts began in central Albania when Andrea Thopia revolted against Ottoman rule and defeated a small Ottoman unit in the mountains of central Albania. His  victory inspired other chieftains to revolt, especially Arianiti. Gjergj was at first apprehensive, but saw an opportunity to save the dominions left to him by his father. Upon hearing of the rebellions, many Albanian political enemies of Gjergj, who had become "sipahi" returned from Edirne to Albania. Upon reaching Albania, Gjergj immediately banished them. He was to lead the armed rebellion, which was started by the peasants. Durrës, the Tirana region, and Nicholas Dukagjini in the north joined the revolt. Although Skanderbeg was summoned home by his relatives when Gjergj Arianiti and other chiefs from the region between Vlorë and  Shkodër had organized the rebellion, Skanderbeg did nothing, remaining loyal to the Sultan. The Porte responded by sending an army of fresh troops in Albania under experienced commanders. Dagno in northern Albania fell, while the Thopias were returned to their former state. After a strong counterattack by Arianiti, the Ottomans were soon defeated. This victory strengthened the revolt in southern Albania, especially in Kurvelesh. Murad II headed for Albania and chose to camp at Serez in Macedonia, from where he sent out a force of 10,000 into Albania under Ali Beg. The army of Ali Beg, in the winter of  1432–33, went through the tight valleys of the Shkumbin; near Buzurshekut (Bërzeshtës), the Albanians ambushed the Ottoman army. Arianiti observed and maneuvered against the Ottomans while also encouraging his men, eventually leading to an Ottoman rout. This victory further strengthened the Albanian cause and gave hope to the Europeans who feared a major Ottoman invasion. The Byzantine chronicler, Chalcondyles, wrote: ""In this battle, Arianit Komneni won a glorious victory."" With these victories Gjergj Arianiti expanded his domains up to the city of Manastir. Arianit used the classic tactic of ""Pulling the enemy in, preparing the trap and striking suddenly."" Arianiti  also destroyed a second army sent by Ali Beg, leaving hundreds dead in the valleys of Kuç all the way to Borsh. The failure of the second Ottoman expedition became known throughout Europe, which was used to hearing about Christian defeats in the East. The joyful states of Europe - Pope Eugene IV, Alfonso V, Emperor Sigsimund, Venice and Ragusa - promised aid. In his third battle (1434), in order to recapture Vlorë and Kanina, Arianiti used numbers, expediency and his tactics. Arianiti was known as the "protector of freedom" throughout the European kingdoms. During the Ottoman campaigns of 1435 and 1436  Ali Beg, together with Turakhan Beg, effected a partial submission of the Albanians, Arianiti retreated to the area of Skrapari and Tomorica, where he continued his war against the Ottoman Empire. Murad II felt compelled to tacitly grant him the area between Shkumbin and south of Vjosa river as his dominions and have a truce with him. 1443–44. In August 1443 Arianiti again rebelled against Ottomans, probably urged by pope Eugene IV or instigated by the news of defeat of Sihàb ed-Dîn Pasa. During the fall of 1443 and the winter of 1444 he led an army deep into  Macedonia. During the same time, the Ottomans were routed at Niš and Skanderbeg deserted the Ottoman army and began another rebellion. Skanderbeg eventually allied with Gjergj Arianit and some other nobles from Albania and Zeta through the League of Lezhë. In May-July 1435 bulgarian prince Fruzhin visited Albania and meat Arianiti the leaders of the revolt, on a secret diplomat mission of emperor Sigismund. 1449–51. At the beginning of 1449, Skanderbeg and Arianiti approached the Venetians requesting their protection from the Ottomans. Venice opted for neutral approach, not to jeopardize peace with Ottomans, and refused their request. By 1449  Gjergj Arianiti left his alliance with Skanderbeg. When Krujë was besieged by the Ottomans, the sixty-seven-year-old Gjergj Arianiti joined the battle and fought fiercely. Along with 3,000 warriors, he joined the anti-Venetian force which eventually defeated the Venetian army at Drin. He was one of the main commanders during the short siege of Durrës and the siege of Dagno. Some of his troops went as far as the gates of Shkodër. Thus, his interests were not harmed by Venice, who wished to incorporate the bay of Vlorë into its dominions. Arianiti supported the recapture of Svetigrad  with 4,000 men. During the two main engagements of the siege, Arianiti showed great bravery. During the siege, his brother was killed. The experience of Arianiti convinced Skanderbeg to marry Donika, Arianiti's daughter. The strong connections between the Kastrioti and Arianiti families were of great benefit to the Albanian cause. In 1451 after Alfonso signed the Treaty of Gaeta with Skanderbeg, he signed similar treaties with Gjergj Arianiti and other chieftains from Albania: Ghin Musachi, George Strez Balšić, Peter Spani, Pal III Dukagjini, Thopia Musachi, Peter of Himara, Simon Zenevisi and Carlo Tocco. 1460–62. He brought together his last  resistance force between 1460 and 1462. In an open front, Mehmet II ordered movements into Albania to engage a group of Arianiti's warriors. He then surrounded Gjergj Arianiti by moving through the valley of Furka all the way through Shushicë. Fierce engagements began, but Sopoti was not captured and the Ottoman encirclement failed. The people compared Gjergj Arianiti to Skanderbeg. To celebrate this victory, the army was taken to Galigat after the Ottomans had fully left Albania. However, when the Ottomans heard of this, they traveled back to Albania at night. The fortress of Sopot, left with a garrison  chosen by Arianiti, still could not be taken. Only through bribery and treachery was it possible for the castle be taken. The Ottoman commander, took advantage of Arianiti's absence by launching a large attack with his main army. The Ottomans soon entered the castle, and in revenge for the defeats they had suffered, the entire population was massacred. Possessions. Arianiti was the only Albanian leader to have two capitals; one near the coast in Kanina, and another near the eastern mountains in Sopot. His dominions acted as the first defense against many of the Ottoman expeditions and served as  one of the main centers of the League of Lezhë. The union between the Kastrioti and Arianiti did not have much effect due to the exposed territories of Arianiti. Family. His first marriage was to Maria Muzaka, a noblewoman from a prominent albanian family, with whom he had six daughters. After her death, Gjergj Arianiti married Lady Pietrina Francone, daughter of the Italian noble Oliver Francone. The couple had seven more children, three of whom were boys. From his marriages Arianiti had 10 daughters : Gjergj Arianiti's only sons came from his second marriage to the italian noblewoman Pietrina Francone . They were: Lord Thoma Comneno, his eldest son