Karlo Thopia

Karlo Thopia (died 1387) was the Albanian King from 1358–1382 and then again from 1385–1387. He was the son of Andreas Thopia and his mother was a daughter of Robert of Taranto. Karl was the independent Albanian ruler of Durazzo (modern-day Durrës). To the Roman Curia, Karl maintained usually good relations, therefore that could do. In 1376 a vacant place became an ore diocese in Durrës, again with a Latin Bishop to be occupied. In 1381, Karl created the monastery pc. Johannes ( _sq. Shen Gjon) in the proximity of Elbasan, which he was buried in.

Control of Durazzo

In 1358, Karlo rose against the rule of the Anjou and could drive them out up to Durrës from Epirus and Albania. It prevailed from 1358 to 1387 over far parts of central Albania and called themselves Princeps Albaniae.

Since 1362, Karlo sought himself to set Durrës, which was in the possession of the Duchess Johanna of Anjou, also into the possession of the city. The first, certainly still unsuccessful siege lasted from April 1362 until May 1363. Then, Thopia had to withdraw his troops, who were weakened by an epidemic disease. Only in 1367 could Karlo conquer Durrës, who had attained in the meantime the tacit agreement of the Venetians for his project and make important port his residence.

Karlo gained control of Durazzo in 1368, which was where the Angevins held out due to their Kingdom becoming smaller in size. This event caused the Kingdom of Albania to end.

Balšić family rivalry

Balša II made a fourth attempt to conquer Dürres, an important commercial and strategetic center, which was ruled by rival, Karl Thopia. In 1382, Balša II began a war and seized Durrës. In 1385, the defeated Karl Thopia, appealed to Murad I for support against his rivals, the Balšić family of Zeta. This is like inviting the Ottoman Empire into Albania in order to help him defeat his rivals of the Balšić family. This was a grave mistake in trying to change Albania's history dramatically.

This attempt caused an Ottoman force, led by Hajrudin Pasha, to quickly march into Albania along the Via Egnatia and routed the Balšas. Hajrudin Pasha's forces inflicted heavy defeat on Balša II's forces and killed Balša II in a big battle on Saurian Field ( _sr. Saurijsko Polje) near Berat in 1385, ending the Balša family's rule over Durrës.

Venetian Alliance

In the last decade of his rule Karlo followed closely the Republic of Venice particularly with regard to foreign policy. On August 17, 1386, Karl Thopia allied himself with Venice. Karlo committed himself to participate in all wars of the Republic or pay auxiliary funds and supply grain. In addition, he promised the Venetian buyers protection in his country. Venice supplied, in response, a galeere to it with, permitted its mercenaries in their areas to recruit and instructed the captain of their Adriatic fleet to protect Karlo's coasts from the Turks. These undertook several heavy attacks on Durrës, which also still persisted as Karlo in January 1388 died. His son, Gjergj, became Karlo's successor.

Marriage and children

Karlo married Voisava Balšić, daughter of Serbian nobleman Balša, ca 1370. The pair had four children:

*Gjergj Thopia - The successor of Karl. Married Teodora Branković
*Elena Thopia - Married Sergiant Marco Barbadigo (first marriage) and Košta Balšić (second marriage)
*Voislava Thopia - Married N Cursachio (first marriage) and in 1394, Progon Ducaghin, Lord of Alessio (second marriage)

Parentage uncertain

Karl had two more children but the parentage is unknown:

*Maria Thopia Married Filippo di Maramonte
*Nicheta Thopia Married a daughter a Cominum Shpata.
**Mara Thopia, Daughter of Nicheta Thopia and a daughter of Cominum Shpata. Married Balša III.