Balša II

Balsha II (Serbian Cyrillic: Балша II) (died September 18, 1385) was the Ruler of Zeta and a member of the House of Balšić, which ruled Zeta from 1356 to 1435. Balsha II was the youngest of three sons of Balsha I. On January 13, 1378, he came to power in Zeta after the death of his older brother, Đurađ I. His power was felt only in region around Skadar and in the eastern part of Zeta's coast. The most prominent feudal lords who did not recognize Balsha's rule were the Đurašević-Crnojević family, encouraged by Venetians.

In 1372, Balsha II married Komnina (Kanina), a daughter of John Komnenos Asen. As a dowry, Balsha gained the cities of Berat and Kanina. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&pg=PA533&lpg=PA533&dq=svetomiholjska+metohija&source=web&ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA372,M1 The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 372] ]

In 1382, Balsha II started the war for the conquest of Dyrrhachium, taking it following four attempts. In 1385, defeated Albanian ruler Karlo Thopia appealed to Murat I for assistance and Ottoman Army led by Hayreddin Pasha routed Balshas in the Battle of Savra near Berat. The Turks chopped Balsha's head off and sent it as an exclusive gift to Hayreddin Pasha. This ends the rule of his family over Dyrrhachium.

Balsha's widow, Komnina, and their daughter Ruđina, later took control of Balsha's territory in southern Albania to protect it from Turkish invaders. Komnina seemed to be the Duchy of Valona's main ruler, until her death in 1396. In the meantime, the Musachi family had gained control of Berat. In 1391, however, Ruđina married Mrkša Žarković. Žarković succeeded the duchy, calling himself "Lord of Valona". He reigned over the city until his death in 1415. Ruđina took over her late husband's position and ruled Valona until 1417, when it, as well as its citadel in Kanina, was seized by the Turks. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&pg=PA533&lpg=PA533&dq=svetomiholjska+metohija&source=web&ots=8AnkP01Yen&sig=iXrTNsrJ-ZiCTf3aGwSrGlzGl2Q#PPA391,M1 The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 391] ] Rudjina fled Albania and sought asylum in Zeta. Her nephew, Balsha III, then-ruler of Zeta, granted her asylum and entrusted her with governship of the coastal town of Budva. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=QDFVUDmAIqIC&pg=PA511&lpg=PA511&dq=drivast&source=web&ots=8BgcJY8Vam&sig=h6vkryf786DiahzLA6wzyJDB1_M&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA514,M1 The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 514] ]

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