In the cathedral of Shën Kolli in the city of Lezhë, where today the memorial of George Castriot Skanderbeg is located, the “League of Lezha” was held, the first known pan-Albanian political union in the history of Albania. Prominent Albanian princes participated in the Assembly of Lezha, among whom were Gjergj Araniti, Andrea Topia, Nikollë Pal Dukagjini, Teodor Muzaka i Riu (and other members of this family), Lekë Zaharia, Lekë Dushmani, Gjergj Stres Balsha, P. Spani, as well as representatives of the Albanian highlands; the ruler of Montenegro, Stefan Cernojevic, also participated. The League of Lezha was created by the will of the rulers of the country, who, learning from the experience of the past, facing the threat posed by the Ottoman invasion, put aside their differences and decided to unite the political-military and economic forces of the country. For this purpose, the League of Lezha took measures to create a joint army and a war chest as its own organs; it announced Skanderbeg as its leader and superior army commander. The army would consist of detachments recruited from the possessions of each member of the League, who would command these detachments and contribute financially to the maintenance of the army. Both in the war chest and in the army, the princedom of Castriots made the greatest contribution. In the League of Lezha, each of the participants maintained their political autonomy; Skanderbeg, as its head, had no right to interfere in the possessions of other rulers. However, appointing a unique political and military leader was a step that helped bridge the feudal gap. The combined means of the League of Lezha and the unique command created better conditions for the organization of the country’s defense. The consolidation of the League of Lezha, thanks also to the strong support of the people, gave Skanderbeg, as its leader, the opportunity to successfully face the difficult situations of a long war, which sometimes took place on two fronts against the Ottomans and against Venice, as well as in the conditions of the secession of some members from the League of Lezha. (In the photo: Imaginary view (illustrative) of the Assembly of Lezha, 1444.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 1509-1510.
Photo: © https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidhja_e_Lezh%C3%ABs
Graphic processing: AHCF
