Irene Dushmani Explained

Irene (Jerina) Dushmani
Succession:Princess of Dushmani
Spouse:Lekë Zaharia
Spouse-Type:Spouse
House:Dushmani
House-Type:Dynasty
Father:Lekë Dushmani

Irene (Jerina) Dushmani (Albanian: Jerina Dushmani) was a 15th century Albanian Princess of the Dushmani family that ruled over the north-western part of the country. Her father was Prince Lekë Dushmani, the Lord of Zadrima and a participant of the League of Lezhë. The Albanian princes Lekë Dukagjini and Lekë Zaharia would enter a feud with one another over her hand in marriage among other quarrels.

Life

The two aforementioned Albanian princes, Lekë Dukagjini and Lekë Zaharia, were both in love with Irene. During Skanderbeg's absence at the wedding of Muzakë Topia and Mamica Kastrioti, the two men exchanged looks and insults before duelling, and this ultimately culminated in a proper clash between the men of both sides. Dukagjini was wounded by a spear, and as many as 105 people were killed during the clash; this led to Lekë Dukagjini eventually murdering Lekë Zaharia, and Dukagjini would hold a grudge against Skanderbeg.[1] [2] [3] According to Marin Barleti, Irene preferred Lekë Zaharia and might have possibly been betrothed to him, but this decision was not accepted lightly by Lekë Dukagjini.[4] However, Irene was not the only reason for the feud between the two Albanian princes, as other issues, such as the ownership of Dagnum, were also existent between their respective families.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Marino . Ettore . Storia del popolo albanese . 12 June 2018 . Donzelli Editore . 978-8868438371 .
  2. Book: Winnifrith . Tom . Perspectives On Albania . 13 July 1992 . Palgrave Macmillan UK . 9781349220502 . 76 .
  3. Book: Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu . 1968 . Pan-Albanian Federation of America Vatra . 201 .
  4. Book: La Discorde: L'Albanie face à elle-même. 76. 978-2213668482. 2013. Fayard. French.
  5. Malaj . Edmond . Dukagjinët gjatë Mesjetës. Shtrirja gjeografike e trojeve dhe disa karakteristika . Studime Historike . 2017 . 1–2 . 7–39 .