Zanfina Muzaka, also known as Suina Muzaka, was a 15th-century Albanian noblewoman from the Muzaka family, who ruled under the title of Despots in southern Albania. She is known for her unwanted and controversial divorce from her first husband Karl-Muzak Thopia, as commanded by Skanderbeg, Lord of Albania.[1][2]
Life
Zanfina Muzaka was an Albanian princess and member of the Muzaka family. Little is known about her early life. She was likely named after Zanfina Arianiti Cominiata, Gjin I's wife. This could indicate her being their granddaughter through one of their sons, excluding Andrea III. Zanfina was firstly married to Karl-Muzakë Thopia with whom she had two children: Yela and Andrea. After Skanderbeg returned to Krujë, he looked for alliances with local Albanian princes. As such, he offered, possibly forced, a marriage annulment between the couple in order to have his sister Mamiza Kastrioti marry Zanfina's husband. Karl-Muzakë accepted the proposal regardless of Zanfina's wishes. Later on, she married Prince Moisi Golemi from the Arianiti family, who would eventually become one of Skanderbeg's commanders. Both Karl-Muzakë Thopia and Moisi Arianiti were captured by the Ottomans, with the latter being taken to Costantinople where he was executed. She had two children with him: Cesare Comnino and Despina Cominiata.
References
↑ Hopf, Carl (1873). Genealogy of Epiriote Royal Musachi Family. p.298.
↑ Muzaka, Gjon (1873). Historia de li discendenti de nostra casa Musachi. p.296.
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