The Religious Aspect of Scanderbeg’s Revolts and his Relations with the Papacy

Abstract

One of the most influential Albanian princes in the period when Ottomans came to Albania was, without a doubt, Gjon Kastrioti, father of Skanderbeg. The power of Kastrioti principality was increasing and it reached such a level that when confronted with the Ottomans, Gjon Kastrioti preferred to fight them instead of accepting their sovereignty. However, despite his courage, he was defeated three times by Murat II and as a result became vassal of the Ottomans in 1423. He was forced to yield up his four sons, as general rule of the time. The youngest boy was Gjergj (Gergi, Georges) Castriota Scanderbeg (Skandarbeg), born in 1405. In the Ottoman State, he was educated as a Muslim and was called Iskender.