Balša II Balšić (Serbian Cyrillic: Балша II Балшић; died September 18, 1385) was a 14th-century nobleman, the Lord of Zeta from 1378 to 1385. He managed to expand his borders towards the south; defeating the Albanian Duke Karl Thopia.
He was a member of the House of Balšić, which ruled Zeta (with Shkodra) from 1356 to 1435.
Balša II was the youngest of three sons of Balša I. On January 13, 1378, he came to power in Zeta after the death of his older brother, Đurađ I. His power was felt only in the region around Shkodra and in the eastern part of Zeta's coast. The most prominent feudal lords who did not recognize Balša's rule were their sworn enemies, the Đurašević-Crnojević family, who were allies of the Venetians.
In 1372, Balša II married Komnina (Kanina), a daughter of John Komnenos Asen. As a dowry, Balsha gained the cities of Berat and Kanina.[1]
In 1382, Balša II started the war for the conquest of Durrës, taking it following four attempts. In 1385, defeated ruler Karl Topia appealed to Murat I for assistance and Ottoman Army led by Hajredin Pasha routed the Balšići the Battle of Savra near Berat. The Turks chopped Balša's head off and sent it as an exclusive gift to Hajredin Pasha. This ends the rule of his family over Durrës.
Balša's widow, Komnina, and their daughter Ruđina, later took control of Balša's territory in southern Albania to protect it from Turkish invaders. Komnina seemed to be the Duchy of Valona's main ruler, until her death in 1396. In the meantime, the Muzakaj family had gained control of Berat. In 1391, however, Ruđina married Mrkša Žarković. Žarković succeeded the duchy, calling himself Lord of Valona. He reigned over the city until his death in 1414. Ruđina took over her late husband's position and ruled Valona until 1417, when it, as well as its citadel in Kanina, was seized by the Turks.[2] Ruđina fled Albania and sought asylum in Zeta. Her nephew, Balša III, then-ruler of Zeta, granted her asylum and entrusted her with governorship of the coastal town of Budva.[3]
| Preceded by Đurađ I |
Lord of Lower Zeta 1378–1385 |
Succeeded by Đurađ II |
| Preceded by Karlo Thopia |
Lord of Albania 1382–1385 |
Succeeded by Karlo Thopia |