League of Lezhë

This article is about the specific polity League of Lezhë and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Was an alliance of the Albanian aristocracy, created in the city of Lezhë on March 2, 1444. The League of Lezhë is considered the first unified independent Albanian country in the Medieval age, with Skanderbeg as leader of the regional Albanian chieftains and nobles united against the Ottoman Empire.

Establishment

March 1444: The League of Lezhë, a military and diplomatic alliance of Albanian feudal lords, was established in the city of Lezhë on 2 March 1444.

March 1444: The Principality of Kastrioti is absorbed by the League of Lezhe.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Conquests of Francesco Foscari

Expansion during the rule of Francesco Foscari in the Republic of Venice.

January 1445: The maximum extent of Venetian Albania was reached in 1444.

2. Albanian-Venetian War

Was a war between the Albanian League of Lezhë and the Republic of Venice.

July 1448: Skanderbeg crossed the Drin River with 10,000 troops to defend the territory from Ottoman invasion.

September 1448: Skanderbeg retreated from the Drin River area to fight off an Ottoman invasion.

3. Wars of Mehmed II

Wars during the rule of Mehmed II in the Ottoman Sultanate.

January 1469: After the death of Skanderbeg, the renowned Albanian military leader, in 1468, the Ottoman Empire was able to easily conquer and subdue the entire territory of Albania, with the exception of the region of Kruje and Venetian Albania.

3.1.Ballaban's campaign of 1465

Was a an Ottoman military campaign by Ballaban Badera, sanjakbey of the Sanjak of Ohrid against the Albanian League of Lezhë.

September 1465: Battle of Vaikal: the Turkish strategy was to implement a pincer movement with the goal of entering in central Albania in full force, storming what was supposed to be a hesitant Albanian defense. Skanderbeg, however, defeated both armies.

September 1465: Battle of Kashari: the Turkish strategy was to implement a pincer movement with the goal of entering in central Albania in full force, storming what was supposed to be a hesitant Albanian defense. Skanderbeg, however, defeated both armies.

October 1465: After being defeated by Skanderbeg in Vaikal and Kashari, the Turkish army left Albania.