| Teodora Branković | |
|---|---|
| Princess of Albania Lady of Durrës | |
 | |
| Princess consort of Albania | |
| Tenure | 1388-1392 |
| Predecessor | Voisava Balsha |
| Successor | Marco Barbarigo (as prince consort) |
| Born | c. after 1345 Serbian Empire |
| Died | unknown |
| Spouse | Gjergj Thopia |
| Dynasty | Branković (by birth) Thopia (by marriage) |
| Father | Branko Mladenović |
| Religion | Serbian Orthodox Christianity |
Teodora Branković (c. mid 1300s), was a Serbian noblewoman and Princess of Albania and Lady of Durrës by marriage to Gjergj Thopia. Her father was Sevastokrator Branko Mladenović, founder of the Branković dynasty.
Early life
Teodora was the only daughter, and likely the youngest child, of Branko Mladenović, a Serbian magnate and sevastokrator serving emperors Stefan Dušan (r. 1331–55), and Stefan Uroš V(r. 1355–71). Her mother, on the other hand is unknown. She had three older brothers: Nikola, Grgur and Vuk Branković. The latter would go on to become the most powerful de facto ruler of late 14th century Serbia. Teodora's paternal grandfather, Mladen, is the earliest known predecessor of the Branković, who in later chronicles were mentioned as descendants of the Nemanjić dynasty, through Vukan Nemanjić, son of Stefan Nemanja.
Princess of Albania
The exact date of the marriage between Teodora and Gjergj Thopia remains unknown. The Thopia were a powerful Albanian noble family, who rose into prominence under the reign of Karl Thopia, Gjergj's father. He defeated and took over Angevin controlled territories in Albania, most notably the Duchy of Durrës, at the time held by his cousin Joanna of Durazzo. Through Karl's mother Hélène of Anjou, all later members of the Thopia were related to the Anjou dynasty. After her father-in law's death in 1388, Teodora's husband Gjergj, inherited the titles Prince of Albania and Lord of Durrës, thus making her a Princess consort. The city of Kruja, on the other hand, was inherited by her sister-in law Helena, as per Karl's wishes. During their reign, they were documented of possessing a golden crown and four pairs of pearl earrings as well as a crown decorated with pearls and precious stones. When Gjergj died in 1392, his possessions were passed down to Helena and her Venetian husband, Marco Barbarigo. This led to continuous territorial conflicts with their half-brother Niketa Thopia. After her husband's death, Teodora's life remains a mystery caused by a lack of historical sources. She had no surviving issue by Gjergj.
References
- Spremić, Momčilo (2005). "Бранковићи у историји и предању". pp. 329–344.
- Andromaqi Gjergji. Albanian Costumes Through the Centuries Origin, Types, Evolution. Indiana University. p. 15. ISBN 978-9-9943-6144-1.
...A document of the year 1363 mentions a crown decorated with pearls and precious stones, while documents of the years 1393, 1399, and 1400 speak of a gold crown and four pairs of pearl earrings which belonged to the wife of Gjergj Topia...
- Anamali, Skënder (2002). "Historia E Popullit Shqiptar Në Katër Vëllime" [History of the Albanian Folk in Four Volumes]. Botimet Toena. pp. 251–252. ISBN 99927-1-622-3.
- Elsie, Robert (2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania ["The aforementioned sons fled back to their country. Later on, the said Lord Charles married Lady Voisava, the daughter of Lord Balsha, and had one son called Gjergj. This Gjergj pledged Durrës to the Venetians but he died without leaving heirs. The second son, Lord George, i.e. the brother of the said Lord Charles, married and had children, from whom the Thopia family descends"]. Scarecrow Press.