Blasius Mataranga
Blasius Mataranga, also known as Blasius II, Blasii, Blasium, Blasio, Blaz, Blaxium, Vlasii, Vlasius, or Vlaxius was an Albanian nobleman and member of the Mataranga family. He played a key role in Albania's regional politics during the mid-14th century, being actively engaged in various power struggles among the local noble families and shaping the political and military landscape. Blasius ruled over the Principality of Mataranga from 1358 to 1367, with control over the coastal region between Durrës and Vlorë, including the strategic port of Karavasta. Blasius is referred to in sources as a lord a title that indicated his noble rank and authority, although he did not formally hold the title of prince despite ruling over a principality. He also held the title of sevastokrator, which was a senior Byzantine court title meaning August Ruler and was recognized by Simeon Uroš, the Serbian ruler who claimed the title of Emperor of Serbs and Greeks after the death of Stefan Dušan, the powerful Serbian emperor whose vast empire fragmented following his death.
Following this, Blasius asserted independent control over his territories. His principality, though short-lived, prospered as a trade center, particularly for grain. He used this economic base to strengthen his political position, and Ragusan archives show he frequently engaged in trade negotiations. Blasius was involved in conflicts with neighboring noble families, such as the Thopia and Balsha families, and maintained diplomatic relations with the Republic of Ragusa, focusing on trade agreements. Blasius died around 1367, possibly after being captured and imprisoned by the Balsha family, though the exact circumstances remain uncertain. Following his death, his lands were contested and absorbed by neighboring nobles, leading to the decline of the Mataranga family's influence.
His son, Gjon Mataranga, inherited part of his estate, but the Mataranga family soon disappeared from historical records. Blasius is regarded as the last prominent figure of the Mataranga family.
Rise to power
Blasius was a member of the noble Mataranga family, which controlled territory in the coastal region between the powerful cities of Durrës and Vlorë, two of the most important urban and trade centers in medieval Albania. The Mataranga family had been established in the region since at least the early 14th century, maintaining influence through shifting political dynamics. The identity of his parents remains unknown, and little is recorded about his early life. Under Blasius Mataranga, the Mataranga family flourished, reaching the peak of its prosperity. This is demonstrated by Blasius's establishment of an independent principality between 1358 and 1367.In 1343, the region encompassing the Mataranga family's territories came under Serbian control following Stefan Dušan's military campaigns in Albania. Following the death of Dušan on 20 December 1355, Blasius, who first emerged onto the political scene in the late 1350s, asserted control over the Myzeqe region through local alliances and the fragmenting of the Serbian Empire, established himself as a semi-autonomous ruler north of Vlorë, in the Myzeqe region, situated between the Shkumbin and Devoll rivers in central and Southern Albania. Blasius was semi-autonomous because he accepted the title of sevastokrator from Simeon Uroš, but he ruled his lands independently; he declared his independence and formed a short-lived principality that lasted from 1358 to 1367. Blasius held the title of sevastokrator, which was granted to him by Simeon Uroš, recognizing his authority over the territory. Blasius also held the title of Lord of Karavasta, a region situated between the mouths of the Shkumbin and Seman rivers. His Latin title was sebastokrator, dominus ad ostium fluminis Vregi.
His administrative center was likely located at Pirgu, a coastal area situated between the Shkumbin and Seman rivers, historically described as a sandy beach with abundant trees and vines; or at the strategic Breg castle,, located near the mouth of the Shkumbin River, which may have served as his main stronghold. While under Blasius's control, the area developed as a key trade center, particularly for grain exports to the Republic of Ragusa, which was a key trading partner in the region.
Territory & conflicts
The region between Lake Shkodër and Durrës was contested by three key families: the Balsha, the Mataranga, and Thopia, each of whom vied for control throughout the 14th century as the Serbian Empire weakened. The Thopia family was generally stronger compared to the Balsha and Mataranga families during the mid-14th century, while the Balsha family rose to greater prominence in the later decades of the century. The conflict between the families was shaped by shifting alliances, notably the strategic marriage of Karl Thopia to Voisava Balsha, sister of the Balsha lords Gjergj I Balsha, Strazimir Balsha, and Balsha II, as well as frequent disputes over key territories. The Mataranga family, in particular, had ongoing disputes with the Thopia family, especially over overlapping claims near the Shkumbin River.Blasius controlled a significant portion of land on the coast, including the port of Karavasta, the Shkumbi River to the north, the Seman River to the south, and the Devoll River to the east. Since parts of the land included grazing areas for various tribes, the borders were not fixed. Parts of the land likely included grazing areas used by various tribes, some of which may have been allied with the Mataranga family. To the south of Mataranga lands lay the Principality of Vlorë, initially ruled by the Bulgarian nobleman John Komnenos Asen, who was Despot of Vlorë, and from 1363 by his son Alexander Komnenos Asen, who was Sebastos of Vlorë and Lord of Berat, Vlorë, and Kaninë. Both Blasius, John, and Alexander maintained ties with Ragusa and Simeon Uroš, indicating that they operated within a shared diplomatic and trade network. While to the north were the lands of the Thopia family who ruled the Principality of Albania. The lands of the Mataranga family bordered those of the Thopia family, with the Shkumbin River serving as a rough boundary between the two.
Montenegrin historical records imply that the Mataranga family might have gained possession of lands to the north, stretching from the Bunë river to Durrës. However, these territories are only vaguely described and overlapped with lands controlled by numerous other tribes and noble houses, making it hard to define clear borders. Although it is believed that the Mataranga acknowledged the authority of the Serbian tsar over these northern regions, there is evidence suggesting they maintained some level of independence.
During the 1363–64 Balsha–Thopia war, the Mataranga family allied with the Balsha. The war was part of a larger power struggle between the Balsha and Thopia families for control of central Albanian territories, especially the strategically important city of Durrës. This alliance suggests that, if the Matarangas were indeed attempting to establish control over northern territories, they may have been vassals or clients of the Balsha in that region. However, it is more likely that the Matarangas' involvement in the conflict stemmed from a dispute with the Thopia family to the south. This theory is supported by the fact that the citizens of Durrës backed the Thopias, possibly in response to Blasius Mataranga's attempt to seize the town. Karl Thopia defended Durrës and, during a skirmish in 1364, he captured Gjergj I Balsha, holding him until 1366 when peace was brokered by Dubrovnik. The capture of Gjergj I Balsha and the subsequent peace settlement indicate that Blasius and his allies suffered a significant defeat in the war. As a result, Blasius Mataranga’s position weakened considerably.
Relations with Ragusa
Establishment
The Republic of Ragusa, a maritime republic like Venice, centered on the powerful city of Dubrovnik, was a major hub of trade and diplomacy in the Adriatic region during this time. Its strategic location made it an important player in regional politics and commerce, especially in relation to local lords such as Blasius Mataranga. According to German scholar I. Mahnken, Blasius Mataranga's relationship with Ragusa began, following multiple attempts at establishing communication. One such attempt occurred in 1359, when the Dubrovnik Grand Council, on 3 April 1359, approved sending a gift to Blasius Mataranga through one of their representatives, following instructions from the Council.One significant document highlighting the relationship between Blasius Mataranga and the Republic of Ragusa is dated 22 October 1358. It is a decision by the Small Council of Ragusa that mentions an armed ship and letters that were to be given to Blasius Mataranga and two Ragusan men, Stepe de Giorgo and Niko de Mlaskanjas, who acted as commercial agents for Ragusa tasked with managing trade relations and transporting goods. The letters instructed these two Ragusans, Niko and Stepe, to return to Ragusa within six days using the same ship, unless Mataranga's news to the merchants was revoked. While the document does not clarify why all three were addressed together or the exact nature of the “news,” it suggests that Mataranga’s communications with Ragusan merchants influenced the timing of the agents’ return. However, the historical records do not specify the outcome of Stepe de Giorgo and Niko de Mlaskanjas’s mission.
In December 1358, it became known that one of the reasons for Ragusan presence in Blasius Mataranga’s territory was their authorization to export a specific quantity of dried pork to Dubrovnik. The export came from the river ports of Shkumbin/Vrego or Devoll; he brief period of calm in Albania, following Simeon Nemanjić's defeat at Shkodër in the summer of 1358, helped stimulate the flow of goods and capital through the port cities of Albania. During the 1340s, Dubrovnik traders had shown growing interest in sourcing grain from the ports at the mouths of the Devoll and Vrego rivers, but the shifting political situation at the time required a new strategy for accessing these markets.
File:Rektorenpalast Dubrovnik 2019-08-22.jpg|left|thumb|The Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik, the center of power for the Republic of Ragusa, where crucial decisions on trade and diplomacy, including those involving Blasius Mataranga, were made.
In an effort to maintain peaceful relations and secure their trade interests, Dubrovnik officials used diplomatic gifts to local rulers, both loyal and disloyal to the legitimate Serbian emperor.
The commercial agreements between Blasius and the Ragusan merchants, which concluded around 1360, were primarily centered on the trade of grain; however, the Ragusan merchants also transported other goods, including pork. These negotiations are confirmed through documents from the period of March to April 1360. On 17 March of that year, the Council of Ragusa unanimously decided to send a representative to Blasius Mataranga, accompanied by a gift of 55 ducats, with the additional possibility of procuring grain from the Briego region. This envoy was tasked with not only visiting Mataranga in Vrego but also traveling to areas such as Devoll and Pulia. The envoy's primary mission was to secure grain and address other assigned matters. If the envoy failed to begin the journey, he would face a fine of 50 perper. The mission across these areas was expected to last two months, and the envoy was provided with a ship and 35 perper for the journey; the chosen representative for this mission was the Ragusan nobleman Dobre de Mençe. These details are found in documents issued by the Republic of Ragusa in March 1360. However, Ragusa sent ambassadors to Blasius Mataranga again in April 1360 and this time, the envoy selected was the noble Georgius de Bodaça, who was allocated a boat, an assistant, and a salary of 25 perper.