The Battle of Kosovo 1389 and the Albanians

Yıl 2021, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 1, 436 - 452, 29.03.2021

Bedrı Muhadrı

https://doi.org/10.21551/jhf.898751

Öz

ABSTRACT
Ottoman infiltration progressed relatively quickly in Southeast Europe in the late XIV century. The Battle of Kosovo, 1389, which took place near the city of Pristina, between the armies of the Balkan and Ottoman coalitions, was one of the most determined efforts of the Balkan population to stop the success of Ottoman expansion in the Balkan Peninsula. Serious preparations from both sides for this battle, the large number of opposing armies, the historical course of the battle, before and after it, have influenced the Battle of Kosovo to be the most crucial part of medieval historical studies for the territory of ancient Dardania - Kosovo. Historical sources, such as Ottoman, Byzantine, Italian, Ragusan, Albanian, Slavic, etc., provide evidence of the participation of some population of the Balkans, such as: Albanians, Croatian Serbs, Hungarians, Vlachs, Bulgarians, Czechs, etc. The Ottoman camp, led by Sultan Murat I, consisted of numerous forces from the kingdom and its vassals. From historical sources we have the assertion that the Balkan coalition was led by the Serbian king Lazar Hrebelanovic, as well as by the well-known Albanian leaders, such as Gjergj Balsha II, Teodor Muzaka, etc.
In today's historiography, the First Battle of Kosovo has been extensively addressed and has yielded its well-known results on this issue: The First Battle of Kosovo has the character of a broad coalition of forces from both sides. From historical sources we have the assertion that the Balkan coalition was led by Lazar Hrebelanovic, prince of the Principality of South Moraves, Bosnian military troops under the leadership of Vlatko Vukovic, as well as well-known Albanian chieftains, such as George II Strazimir Balsha Principal of Shkodra, Prince of Shkodra Teodor Muzaka II prince of the Principality of Opar, as well as other peoples such as Vlachs, Hungarians, Croats, Poles, etc. Thus, this united war against the Ottomans was called the “Balkan Coalition against the Ottomans”. The Ottoman coalition consisted of numerous forces from the Empire and its vassal states. These forces were led by Sultan Murat I.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Battle of Kosovo, Lazar Hrebelanovic, Sultan Murat I

1389 Kosova Savaşı ve Arnavutlar

Öz

Osmanlıların Güneydoğu Avrupa yörelerindeki nüfuzu XIV. Yüzyılda tekâbul edilmiştir. Priştine yakınlarında gerçekleştirin Birinci Kosova Savaşı Balkan halklarının Osmanlı’ya karşı en büyük direnişidir. Savaş hazırlıkları, savaşta katılan asker sayısı, savaşın gerçekleştirdiği tarih gibi olayların önemi ve sebeplerinden dolayı Dardania’nın (Kosova’nın) Ortaçağ tarihi araştırmalarının en önemli konularından biri olmuştur. Bu savaşta katılanlar arasında Arnavut, Macar ve Bulgar gibi halklarının yer aldığına dâir Osmanlı, Bizans, İtalyan, Arnavut, Slav kroniklerinden bahsedilmektedir. I. Murâd komutanlığındaki Osmanlı askerî gücünde Osmanlı’ya vassal statüsünde olan devletler de yer almışlardır. Balkan koalisyonunda ise Sırplardan Lazar Hreblanoviç, Arnavut Beylerinden ise II. Gjergj Balşa ( II. Cerce Balşa) ve Teodor Muzaka vd. yer almışlardır.
Bugünün tarih yazımında, Kosova Birinci Muhârebesi kapsamlı bir şekilde ele alınmış ve önemli sonuçlar varılmıştır. Bu sonuçlara göre, I. Kosova Savaşının iki taraftan yer alan askerî güçleriyle bir koalisyon savaşı olduğunu kanıtlanmaktadır. Balkan koalisyonun başında Güney Morava Prensliğinin başındaki Lazar Hreblanoviç, Bosnalı Vlatko Vukoviç, İşkodra Prensi II. Gjergj Stratizmiri, II. Teodor Muzaka, Opar Prensi II. Teodor Muzaka ve bunların dışında Ulahlar, Macarlar, Hırvatlılar, Polonyalıların prensleri de yer almışlardır. Böylece, bu ortak savaşa “ Balkan Koalisyonu” vasfını kazanmıştır. Osmanlı Koalisyonunu ise Osmanlı Devletinin farklı diyârlarından güçleri hâricinde Osmanlı’ya vasâl olanlar da dâhil olmuşlardır. Osmanlı güçleri I. Murâd komutanlığında hareket etmişlerdir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Battle of Kosovo, Lazar Hrebelanoviq, Sultan Murat I, Gjergj II Blasha, Teodor Muzaka II

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