Andrea II Muzaka | |
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Despot of Albania | |
![]() Andrea II Muzaka on a fresco in the Church of St. Athanasius of Mouzaki. | |
Despot of Albania | |
Reign | 1331-1372 |
Predecessor | Teodor I Muzaka |
Successor | Teodor II Muzaka |
Born | 1318[1] |
Died | 1372 (aged 54) |
Burial | |
Spouse | Euphemia Mataranga |
Issue | Gjin Muzaka Teodor II Muzaka Stoja Muzaka Comita Muzaka Chiranna Muzaka |
Dynasty | Muzaka |
Father | Teodor I Muzaka |
Mother | Daughter of Paul of Ohrid |
Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
Andrea II Muzaka (1318-1372) was an Albanian nobleman of the Muzaka family and the ruler of the Principality of Muzaka in the 14th century. He inherited the principality from his father, Teodor I Muzaka, who died around 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from the southern Adriatic coastline of Albania in the west to Kastoria in the east by the time of his death in 1372.
He was recognized Despot of the Kingdom of Albania and as Marshal of Albania by the Angevin Kingdom of Albania in 1336-37. In the next decade, he led resistance against the Serbian invasions of Albania, and after the fall of the Serbian Empire, he regained his former territories and began to expand again. During his wars against the Serbian successor states, Andrea II succeeded in defeating both Vukašin of Serbia and his son, Prince Marko, solidifying his family's principality. He was recognized as Despot of Epirus by the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos for his victories against the Serbians.