Ramon d’Ortafà

Ramon d’Ortafà was a 15th-century Spanish Catalan noble, originary of Perpignan. In 1452 he became viceroy of King Alphonse V of the Kingdom of Naples in Albania. His task was to ensure the safety of Kruje, to capture as much territory as possible from Muslim "infidels" and to protect Catholicism among local population because it was endangered by the Islamisation of the population of Albania. To accomplish his task d’Ortafà appointed Pere Escuder as castellan of Kruje castle instead of Joan de Castro. He organized reconstruction of the fortifications of Kruje castle which was in poor condition and also fortified some other positions suitable for organization of the resistance against the Ottoman advances, including Cape Rodoni. Alphonso V sent wheat, wine and contigent of soldiers to support d’Ortafà. To ensure loyalty of the local population of Kruje d’Ortafà promised them not only to protect their city from the Ottoman incursions but also to expand its borders by capturing nearby Muslim populated territories. D’Ortafà gave a brocade to Skanderbeg.^[1]

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