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| coat_of_arms_caption = The coat of arms of the Mataranga is found in the 1875 heraldic catalog titled "Il Blasone in Sicilia", published in Palermo by Visconti & Huber.
| country = ]
| region =
| founded = 13th century
| founder =
| members = {{plainlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
* Giovanni Mataranga
* Giacomo Mataranga
}}
| other_families =
| estate = fiefdoms of Morgana and Mantica
| dissolution = 1513
| cadet_branches =
| footnotes = Different spellings of the name include Matranga, Matarangolo, Matracca, Matarangi, Matrënga.
}}
The '''Mataranga''', '''Matranga''', '''Matarango''' or '''Matrangolo''' (''Matrënga'' in ]) were an ] ] during the 13th and 15th centuries. Members of this family included local rulers, Byzantine officials and writers. After the occupation of Albania by the ], part of the family emigrated to ] and settled in the ] villages of ] and ] in Southern Italy, where they have continued to maintain the ].<ref name="Çabej1977">{{cite book|author=Eqrem Çabej|title=Studime gjuhësore: Gjon Buzuku dhe gjuha e tij|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=drY9wEs8E8YC|year=1977|publisher=Rilindja|page=109}}</ref>
The '''Mataranga family''' (also known as '''Matranga''', '''Matrënga'''<ref>Studime gjuhësore: Gjon Buzuku dhe gjuha e tij Biblioteka Linguistikë Volume 6 of Studime gjuhësore, Eqrem Çabej Author Eqrem Çabej Publisher Rilindja, 1977 p. 109</ref>, '''Matarango'''<ref>The Serbs and Byzantium during the reign of Tsar Stephen Dušan (1331-1355) and his successors Author George Christos Soulis Edition illustrated Publisher Dumbarton Oaks Library and Collection, 1984 ISBN 0-88402-137-8, ISBN 978-0-88402-137-7 p. 143</ref>, '''Matarangos''', '''Matarangoi'''<ref>Imperial ideology and political thought in Byzantium (1204-1330) Author Dimiter Angelov Edition illustrated Publisher Cambridge University Press, 2007 ISBN 0-521-85703-1, ISBN 978-0-521-85703-1 p. 319</ref> and '''Mataringides'''<ref>Society and intellectual life in late Byzantium Author Ihor Ševčenko Edition illustrated Publisher Variorum Reprints, 1981 ISBN 086078083X, 9780860780830 p. 275</ref><ref>Studia Albanica, Volume 27, Issue 2 Authors Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës. Instituti i Historisë dhe i Gjuhësisë, Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës. Instituti i Historisë, Universiteti Shtetëror i Tiranës. Instituti i Gjuhësisë dhe i Letërsisë, Instituti i Historisë (Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë), Instituti i Gjuhësisë dhe i Letërsisë (Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë), Akademia e Shkencave e RPS të Shqipërisë. Seksioni e Shkencave Shoqërore Publisher L'Institut, 1990 p. 177-178</ref>) was an ] noble family during 13th and 14th centuries. Members of this family include local rulers, Byzantine officials and writers. After the occupation of Albania by the ], part of the family emigrated to ] and settled in the ] villages of Southern Italy, where they have continued to preserve the ].
==Origin==
==History==
Before 1284, the Mataranga family was either a vassal of ], in the period when he created ], or his nephew ].<ref>Imperialideology and political thought in Byzantium (1204-1330) Author Dimiter Angelov Edition illustrated Publisher Cambridge University Press, 2007 ISBN 0-521-85703-1, ISBN 978-0-521-85703-1 p. 319</ref> They are first documented in 1297 in a ] document. Members of the Mataranga family were attacking Ragusian merchants in the region of ].<ref>La façade maritime de l'Albanie au Moyen âge AuthorAlainDucellierPublisher Ed. de l&Ècole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, 1981 p.347</ref> Rulers of the territory between the cities of ] and ], they are described as subjects to the ] at the time. The Mataranga family might have become vassal of the Byzantine Emperor in the period between 1284 and 1288, when the region, which was part of the ], was captured by the ]. However they eventually threw off their allegiance with Byzantines and eagerly accepted the ] overlordship again in 1304, when Philip of Taranto ] with the help of local Albanian noblemen.<ref>Imperial ideology and political thought in Byzantium (1204-1330) Author Dimiter Angelov Edition illustrated Publisher Cambridge University Press, 2007 ISBN 0-521-85703-1, ISBN 978-0-521-85703-1 p. 319</ref>
Before 1284, the Matranga family was either a vassal of ], in the period when he created ], or of his nephew ].<ref name=Angelov-319>Angelov 2007, p. 319</ref> They were first documented in 1297 in a ] document. Members of the Matranga family were attacking Ragusian merchants in the region of ].<ref name=Ducellier-347>{{cite book|author=Alain Ducellier|title=La façade maritime de l'Albanie au Moyen âge: Durazzo et Valona du XIe au XVe siècle|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nn5pAAAAMAAJ|year=1981|publisher=Ed. de l&Ècole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales|page=347}}</ref> Rulers of the territory between the cities of ] and ], they were described as subjects to the ] at the time. The Matranga family might have become vassal of the Byzantine Emperor in the period between 1284 and 1288, when the region, which was part of the ], was captured by the ]. However they eventually threw off their allegiance with Byzantines and eagerly accepted the ] overlordship again in 1304, when Philip of Taranto ] with the help of local Albanian noblemen.<ref name=Angelov-319/>
During this period members of the family were also active in the Byzantine administration. A person named Mataringides, who had a part in a plot against ], is mentioned as a student of ] and led to his imprisonment for Manuel has taken a pledge for his student.{{clarify|date=July 2014}}<ref>Angelov 2007, pp. 314-316</ref><ref name="Ševčenko1981">{{cite book|author=Ihor Ševčenko|title=Society and Intellectual Life in Late Byzantium|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vVVoAAAAMAAJ|year=1981|publisher=Variorum Reprints|isbn=978-0-86078-083-0|pages=275–276}}</ref> Another member of the family, Nicholas Matarangos, became one of the four general judges, member of the highest imperial court and had a prominent role in the ].<ref name=Angelov-319/>
After the oath of allegiance to Philip of Taranto, the Matrangas continued to maintain close ties with the Angevin family. The advancing ] was a source of continuous preoccupation. A certain Paul Mataranga is mentioned in 1319, together with other Albanian lords, in a coalition with Philip of Taranto against ].<ref name=Ducellier-347/> However their territories were eventually included in the ] before 1343.
During this period members of the family were also active in Byzantine administration. A person named Mataringides, which had a part in a plot against ], is mentioned as a student of ] and led to his imprisonment for Manuel has taken a pledge for his student.<ref>Imperial ideology and political thought in Byzantium (1204-1330) Author Dimiter Angelov Edition illustrated Publisher Cambridge University Press, 2007 ISBN 0-521-85703-1, ISBN 978-0-521-85703-1 p. 314-316</ref><ref>Society and intellectuallife in late Byzantium Author Ihor Ševčenko Edition illustrated Publisher Variorum Reprints, 1981 ISBN 0-86078-083-X, 9780860780830 p. 275-276</ref> Another member of the family, ], became one of the four general judges, member of the highest imperial court and had a prominent role in the ].<ref>Imperial ideology and political thought in Byzantium (1204-1330) Author Dimiter Angelov Edition illustrated Publisher Cambridge University Press, 2007 ISBN 0-521-85703-1, ISBN 978-0-521-85703-1 p. 319</ref>
After the death of ] (1355), a member of the family, ] (al. Vlash Matranga), subsequently ruled a principality in the territory between ] and ] as '']'' between 1358 and 1367, recognized under the suzerainty of ].<ref name=Fine-357>Fine 1994, p. 357</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Studia Albanica|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4WNpAAAAMAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Académie des sciences de la République Populaire d'Albanie, Institut d'histoire, Institut de linguistique et littérature.|page=182|quote=Dans les années 1350-1367, donc après le retrait définitif de l'Empire de Byzance de l'Albanie, dans les régions de Durres et du cours inférieur de Seman (Dievali) dominait le "sebastocratore" Vlash Matranga...}}</ref> Dubrovnik was especially keen to maintain good relations with Blasius as his lands were a source of grain that was valuable to Dubrovnik merchants but this did not prevent a breakdown in ] during the war between Dubrovnik and Serbia. Mihaljčić, the Serbian historian, can see no other explanation for this other than the continued vassalage of Blasius to Serbia.<ref>{{harvnb|Mihaljčić|1975|p=66}}</ref>
After the oath of allegiance to Philip of Taranto, the Matarangas continued to maintain close ties with the Angevin family. The advancing ] was a source of continuous preoccupation. A certain Paul Mataranga is mentioned in 1319, together with other Albanian lords, in a coalition with Philip of Taranto against ].<ref>La façade maritime de l'Albanie au Moyen âge Author Alain Ducellier Publisher Ed. de l&Ècole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, 1981 p.347</ref> However their territories were eventually included in the ] within 1346. After the death of ], a member of the family, ],becameanindependent ruler in the territory between ] and ].
==Members==
*] of ] found in the ], ].]](possibly) Matarangides (fl. 1305<ref>{{cite book|title=Studia Albanica|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4WNpAAAAMAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Académie des sciences de la République Populaire d'Albanie, Institut d'histoire, Institut de linguistique et littérature.|page=178}}</ref>), possibly from ],<ref name="Constantinides1982">{{cite book|author=C. N. Constantinides|title=Higher Education in Byzantium in the Thirteenth and Early Fourteenth Centuries: (1204 - Ca. 1310)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=umWcAAAAMAAJ|year=1982|publisher=Cyprus Research Centre|page=108}}</ref> a student of ] who took part in the plot against ] which led to his imprisonment.
*Nicholas Matarango (fl. 1341–47), one of four general judges, member of the highest imperial court, who had a prominent role in the ].
*] (fl. 1319).
*], (albanian : Efimia/Efthimia), married to ] with whom she had 5 children.
*].<ref name=Fine-357/>
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}
===Sources===
*{{cite book|author=Dimiter Angelov|title=Imperial Ideology and Political Thought in Byzantium, 1204-1330|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vce6EJAcHA4C|date=8 February 2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-85703-1}}
*{{cite book|author1=John V. A. Fine|author2=John Van Antwerp Fine|title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC&pg=PA357|year=1994|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=0-472-08260-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Mihaljčić|first=Rade|author-link=Rade Mihaljčić|year=1975|script-title=sr:Крај Српског царства|trans-title=End of the Serbian Empire|publisher=Srpska književna zadruga|place=Belgrade}}
Different spellings of the name include Matranga, Matarangolo, Matracca, Matarangi, Matrënga.
The Mataranga, Matranga, Matarango or Matrangolo (Matrënga in Albanian) were an Albaniannoble family during the 13th and 15th centuries. Members of this family included local rulers, Byzantine officials and writers. After the occupation of Albania by the Ottoman Empire, part of the family emigrated to Italy and settled in the Arbëresh villages of Piana degli Albanesi and Santa Cristina Gela in Southern Italy, where they have continued to maintain the Arbëresh language.
History
Before 1284, the Matranga family was either a vassal of Charles of Anjou, in the period when he created Kingdom of Albania, or of his nephew Philip of Taranto. They were first documented in 1297 in a Ragusian document. Members of the Matranga family were attacking Ragusian merchants in the region of Karavasta Lagoon. Rulers of the territory between the cities of Durrës and Vlorë, they were described as subjects to the Byzantine Emperor at the time. The Matranga family might have become vassal of the Byzantine Emperor in the period between 1284 and 1288, when the region, which was part of the Kingdom of Albania, was captured by the Byzantine Empire. However they eventually threw off their allegiance with Byzantines and eagerly accepted the Angevin overlordship again in 1304, when Philip of Taranto recaptured Durrës with the help of local Albanian noblemen.
Albanian stamp of the Mataranga family Heraldic coat of arms.
During this period members of the family were also active in the Byzantine administration. A person named Mataringides, who had a part in a plot against Andronikos II Palaiologos, is mentioned as a student of Manuel Moschopoulos and led to his imprisonment for Manuel has taken a pledge for his student. Another member of the family, Nicholas Matarangos, became one of the four general judges, member of the highest imperial court and had a prominent role in the Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347.
After the oath of allegiance to Philip of Taranto, the Matrangas continued to maintain close ties with the Angevin family. The advancing Kingdom of Serbia was a source of continuous preoccupation. A certain Paul Mataranga is mentioned in 1319, together with other Albanian lords, in a coalition with Philip of Taranto against Stefan Milutin. However their territories were eventually included in the Kingdom of Serbia before 1343.
After the death of Stefan Dušan (1355), a member of the family, Blasius Matarango (al. Vlash Matranga), subsequently ruled a principality in the territory between Shkumbin and Seman as sevastokrator between 1358 and 1367, recognized under the suzerainty of Simeon Uroš. Dubrovnik was especially keen to maintain good relations with Blasius as his lands were a source of grain that was valuable to Dubrovnik merchants but this did not prevent a breakdown in 1360 during the war between Dubrovnik and Serbia. Mihaljčić, the Serbian historian, can see no other explanation for this other than the continued vassalage of Blasius to Serbia.
Nicholas Matarango (fl. 1341–47), one of four general judges, member of the highest imperial court, who had a prominent role in the Byzantine civil war of 1341–1347.
Studia Albanica. Académie des sciences de la République Populaire d'Albanie, Institut d'histoire, Institut de linguistique et littérature. 1990. p. 182. Dans les années 1350-1367, donc après le retrait définitif de l'Empire de Byzance de l'Albanie, dans les régions de Durres et du cours inférieur de Seman (Dievali) dominait le "sebastocratore" Vlash Matranga...
Studia Albanica. Académie des sciences de la République Populaire d'Albanie, Institut d'histoire, Institut de linguistique et littérature. 1990. p. 178.
The coat of arms of the Mataranga is found in the 1875 heraldic catalog titled "Il Blasone in Sicilia", published in Palermo by Visconti & Huber.
