Albanian-Epirote War (1374–1375)

The Albanian-Epirote War (1374–1375) was a brief conflict between Albanian clans and the Despotate of Epirus, ruled at the time by Peter Losha and John Bua Spata respectively, against Thomas Preljubović, the Serbian Despot of Ioannina. The conflict primarily centered around control of territories in Epirus and the ambitions of the Albanian lords.

Preljubović had consolidated his power in Ioannina and sought to expand his influence, clashing with the autonomous Albanian rulers to the south and west. Peter Losha, ruling in Arta, and John Bua Spata, controlling territories extending from Aetolia to parts of southern Epirus, presented a significant challenge to Preljubović's expansionist goals.

The war was characterized by raids, sieges, and shifting alliances. While specific battles are not well-documented, the overall pattern involved Albanian forces contesting Preljubović's control over various towns and regions. The Albanian lords aimed to maintain their independence and potentially expand their own domains at the expense of the Despotate of Ioannina.

Ultimately, the war ended inconclusively. While Preljubović managed to retain control of Ioannina, he was unable to decisively defeat the Albanian lords or subdue their territories. The conflict highlighted the fragmented political landscape of the region at the time, with various Albanian clans and smaller entities vying for power amidst the weakening Byzantine Empire and the rise of Serbian and other powers. The Albanian lords continued to exert considerable influence in Epirus for several decades after the war's conclusion, often acting as independent actors within the region.