Post by donnie on Aug 13, 2008 14:41:21 GMT -5
In the 1400s, a huge number of Albanians from Albania and Greece left their homes due to wars with the Turks and settled overseas, in continental Italy and Sicily. Having made a name for themselves as fierce warriors skilled in arms, they were soon to integrate in their new homes as sought mercenaries who travelled throughout Europe. These mercenaries fought in their own traditional formations, under the command of their own nobility.
One notorious Albanian mercenary was Petro Buzi. He initially made himself a name in the service of the Italians against the French, in Novara. With a small group of men he advances against a French unit composed of 40 heavy armed knights, 100 infantry and three archers. In a quick attack he and his men eliminate 9 opponents, capture 26 and force the others to flee in full panic. Then in Vezevene he clashes with the French again, killing 22 of their knights. In a further advance, with his small forces, he besieges Vilanova, trapping 12,000 French troops inside. Being petrified by their unusually warlike nature, the French send their delegates to arrange a surrender. The same day other Albanian units succeed in sacking the fortresses of Cerano and Trakano. (C. Sathas, Ellhnes stratiotis en ti dhisi, p. 45)
During this period, the late half of the XVth century, the French had succeeded in siezing large territories of Italy, advancing southwards. In the field of Parma their large forces are suddenly attacked by a group of 700 Albanians who charge and 'flee' with 40 French heads with them, only to regroup and attack again, and again ... another Albanian named Dhimitër Laskari "Laska", commanding 400 Albanian warriors, besieges and liberates Piza. With the same forces, being under the service of Venice, he attacks Florence and returns to Venice where he is given the title of Grande Duke. (Ibid)
The duke of Avrilia was another victim of Petro Buzi's fierce tactics. Here's a sample of his letter to the French king Charles in a response to the latter's request of reinforcements in Plaketa (my improcized translation from Albanian);
"I received your majesty's letter and request to join forces with you in Plaketa. I must sincerely inform you of the presence of so called 'stratiotes' in the camp of the Duke of Milano; we do not know if they are Turks or devils, and not only don't they let us advance outside the walls of Navara, but they have also inflicted heavy damage on our troops. They kill our soldiers and put their heads on their spears. They attack every day, near the ports. If joining forces with you was possible before, it has for sure become impossible now. Our soldiers are petrified and do not dare leave the foprtress, and surely if we would attempt such a move we would be eliminated." (K. Sathas p. 45)
One notorious Albanian mercenary was Petro Buzi. He initially made himself a name in the service of the Italians against the French, in Novara. With a small group of men he advances against a French unit composed of 40 heavy armed knights, 100 infantry and three archers. In a quick attack he and his men eliminate 9 opponents, capture 26 and force the others to flee in full panic. Then in Vezevene he clashes with the French again, killing 22 of their knights. In a further advance, with his small forces, he besieges Vilanova, trapping 12,000 French troops inside. Being petrified by their unusually warlike nature, the French send their delegates to arrange a surrender. The same day other Albanian units succeed in sacking the fortresses of Cerano and Trakano. (C. Sathas, Ellhnes stratiotis en ti dhisi, p. 45)
During this period, the late half of the XVth century, the French had succeeded in siezing large territories of Italy, advancing southwards. In the field of Parma their large forces are suddenly attacked by a group of 700 Albanians who charge and 'flee' with 40 French heads with them, only to regroup and attack again, and again ... another Albanian named Dhimitër Laskari "Laska", commanding 400 Albanian warriors, besieges and liberates Piza. With the same forces, being under the service of Venice, he attacks Florence and returns to Venice where he is given the title of Grande Duke. (Ibid)
The duke of Avrilia was another victim of Petro Buzi's fierce tactics. Here's a sample of his letter to the French king Charles in a response to the latter's request of reinforcements in Plaketa (my improcized translation from Albanian);
"I received your majesty's letter and request to join forces with you in Plaketa. I must sincerely inform you of the presence of so called 'stratiotes' in the camp of the Duke of Milano; we do not know if they are Turks or devils, and not only don't they let us advance outside the walls of Navara, but they have also inflicted heavy damage on our troops. They kill our soldiers and put their heads on their spears. They attack every day, near the ports. If joining forces with you was possible before, it has for sure become impossible now. Our soldiers are petrified and do not dare leave the foprtress, and surely if we would attempt such a move we would be eliminated." (K. Sathas p. 45)