The Truth about the Battle of Kosova (1389)


Date posted: Thursday, August 1, 1996


Upon reading/hearing news in the national-international press and elsewhere about the current conflict between Kosova and Serbia, it is frequently stated by the Serbs that the eventful battle on the plain of Kosova in 1389 took place only between Serbs and the Ottoman invaders. For that reason, the plain of Kosova is deemed to be "sacred" to Serbia who persists in holding title to that historic site and to the entire Albanian-populated (over 90%) region.


In point of fact, several other nationalities including both indigenous Albanians and Albanians from Albania proper such as the feudal rulers, Gjergj Kastrioti (the grandfather of his namesake, Gjergj Kastrioti/Skanderbeg) of Mati, Theodore II Muzaka of Berat who was killed during the battle (as were many Albanians!), and others, all fought in a major alliance of 6 nationalities in that last desperate armed conflict where the Turks subsequently defeated the opposing forces. This tragic loss marked the eventual collapse of Serbia, Bulgaria, and Albania which all came under Turkish rule:


A. "An anti-Ottoman coalition of Hungarians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Poles, Serbs, and Albanians headed by the Serbian Prince Lazar fought a Turkish army twice its size on the plain of Kosova near Prishtina on 15 June 1389. Troops of Gjergj II Balsha of Shkodra and of Theodore Korona Muzaka of Berat participated. Even though an Albanian named Milosh Kopiliq penetrated the Sultan's tent and assassinated Amurat I, the Turks succeeded in breaking the Balkan coalition. This bloody defeat opened the way for yet deeper penetration of Albanian territory under Sultan Bayazet, surnamed 'Thunderbolt.' He overran Albania from 1394 to 1396 and occupied it from Gjirokastra in the south to Shkodra in the north, and from its eastern border to Durres on the coast."    Page 171 THE ALBANIANS: An Ethnic History from Prehistoric Times to the Present, Edwin E. Jacques, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina and London, 1995


B. "Prince Lazar's men fought valiantly against impossible odds. Early in the day they appeared to have gained a tactical advantage until, inexplicably and tragically, one wing of their army under Vuk Brancovic, retired from the field."    PP. 171-172, SALONICA TERMINUS, Fred A. Reed, Talonbooks, Barnaby, British Columbia, Canada, 1996


C. "Let's clear up the historical facts about The Battle of Kosova. Namely, following existing historical sources about the Kosova battle, the truth is as follows. In reality, the Serbian leaders V. Brankovic and K. Marko accepted negotiations with the Ottomans and reached an agreement under very humble conditions, and both leaders took sides with the Ottoman army. Only Albanians did not accept negotiations and fought to the end."
Page 115, DISTORTIONISM IN HISTORIOGRAPHY, Muharem Cerabregu, Institute of Albanian Studies, New York, NY 1996