MARRËDHËNIET E GJERGJIT II STRAZIMIR BALSHËS ME REPUBLIKËN E RAGUZËS
RELATIONSHIPS OF GJERGJ II STRAZIMIR BALSHA WITH REPUBLIC OF RAGUSA

Summary/Abstract: Diplomatical and commercial relations between Gjergji II Strazimir Balsha (1385-1403), and Ragusa in the studied period were intense. The economic development of Ragusa in the last decade of the 14th and during the first years of the 15th century attracted residents from the towns of Zeta, while, when it comes to the foreign politics, the inhabitants of Ragusa were adhering to the principle that when a new ruler or the district governor comes, they would seek confirmation of old privileges. From the earlier contracts stemmed the obligations, which were accentuated in order to substantiate certain requirements, to justify certain actions or to enhance fortitude of established relations. Several months after Gjergji II had seized poker, the citizens of Ragusa sent envoys to obtain a confirmation of trade preferences and privileges, which had been granted to the town by his predecessors. The new ruler of Zeta issued a charter (diploma) on 27 January 1386 confirming friendship and the granted freedom of trade. Trade relations were not solely limited to goods and transit traffic, since the financial operations were present, as well. The people from Zeta often borrowed money in Ragusa, under precisely envisaged conditions. The number of traders of Albania and Zeta gained trading success and wealth in business, and according to the stipulated conditions, they acquired Ragusa citizenship. Exactly, Gjergji II Strazimir Balsha was awarded honorary citizenship of Ragusa, on 15 October 1388, as a token of gratitude for his intervention with the ottoman army commander Shahin Beu at the moment of intended attack on the Republic of Ragusa. The political motive for granting Gjergj II citizenship was a sign of deep gratitude for his help in preventing the Ottoman attack on the city. Generally, the diplomatic activity of Ragusa was mainly directed at ensuring freedom and smooth development oftrade. Based on archival resources from the State Archive Dubrovnik and relevant literature we can safely conclude that, however, some minor misunderstandings occurred in 1396, 1397 and 1403, diplomatical and commercial relations between Gjergji II and Ragusa were generally good. These misunderstandings had, however, little effect on external political relations. Thanks to their skilled diplomacy, the citizens of Ragusa successfully eliminated the misunderstandings; the good will from the Zeta side acted in common interest as well. Both parties managed to create good relations by investing mutual effort in common interest. All of these were meant not just good neighborly relations at certain moments, but concrete and long-term trade and political benefits.

• Details
• Contents