Peshkopata e Arbnit dhe Kastriotët
The bishopric of Arbni and the Kastriots

Summary/Abstract: The definition of the regional (geographical) extends of the Bishopric of Arbni (Episcopatus Arbanensis) is an important issue as much for the history of the church organisation as for the political history of the Albanian lands during the middle ages. According to a document of the beginning of the 15th century, the Bishopric of Arbni extended in the domination of Gjon Kastrioti. Bishops and abbots of the Bishopric of Arbni get mentioned in the documents of the time as missionaries of Gjon Kastrioti and later of Scanderbeg in other places. During the middle of 12th century it was established the Bishopric of Arbni, the Albanian aristocracy was consolidated economically and politically. Under these circumstances the Albanian noblemen part of which was also the clergy tried to constitute the state structures. In this context the creation of the Bishopric of Arbni which included Mirdita, Kurbini and Misja (nowadays region of ashmi). The inclusion of Mirdita is not chanceful but it is related to its important geographical location. The wide geographical extend and the traverse by trading routes that connected the coast with eastern territories and central parts of Albania with the northern ones has made possible for the bishops, abbots and other clerics of the Bishopric of Arbni to have had an important role in the political life of the country. The possession of costal road to Prizren has been primary factor for the creation of the Bishopric of Arbni and for the economical and political activities of several noble families such as the Kastriots, the Dukagjins, the Jonims etc. In comparison with the Dukagjins and Jonims who possessed it for only a few years the traders rout to Prizren and along it the Bishopric of Arbni, the Kastriots are real possessors and closely related for a long time with this rout as well as with the Bishopric of Arbni. The possession of this road and its surrounding areas need to be regarded as the reason for the acknowledged disagreements between Scanderbeg and the Dukagjins.

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