lek dukagjini

Lek Dukagjini (1410-1481) is an Albanian historical figure, contemporary of Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg, who fought against the Turks and is known for the code of law instituted in northern Albania and still applied today in some remote areas known as Kanuni. Leke is though to have been born in Ulpiana near modern Prizren, Kosovo in 1410. The County of Dukagjini had its center in Lezh, and included Zadrima, the areas North and East-north Shkodra, and expanded far north up to the territories of what today constitutes Serbia, having as the second center the town of Ulpiana. Until he took over the ruling of his county from his father Pal in 1446, Lek Dukagjini had gained an overall knowledge, inspired by the European Renaissance humanism, in towns such as Venice, Raguza and Shkodr; meanwhile Skenderbeg had done a very rapid and excellent military career in the court of Sultan Murat II. Lek was an Albanian prince that inherited his father's, Pal Dukagjini, princedom when he died in 1446. His lands stretched in the north and northeast of Shkodr, with Lezh as its capital. They included lands in present-day Serbia, such as Zadrima and Ulpiana. Lek was educated in Venice and Shkodr. He led the League of Lezha in 1444. He fought side-by-side Skanderbeg against the Turks, but they also fought against each other at times. However Lek continued to fight against the Ottoman Empire until his death in 1481, sometimes besides the Venetians with the blessing of the papacy. Overshadowed by Skanderbeg, Lek Dukagjini is most well known for the set of laws ruling the highlands of northern Albania, known as the Kanuni. While identifying Skenderbg as the dragon prince who dared to fight and always win against any foe; cronicles portrayed Lek Dukagjini as the angel prince who, with dignity and wisdom, ensured the continuity of the Albanian identity. The set of laws was active in practice for a long time, but it was not gathered and codified until the late 19th century by Shtjefn Gjeov. The most infamous laws of Kanuni are those regulating blood feuds. Blood feuds have started once again in lawless northern Albania after the fall of communism in the early 1990s, having been outlawed for many years during the regime.

Lek Dukagjini

See also