DuringGjatë shekullit të the 14. centurysundimi osman Ottomanfilloi rulete beganzgjerohej tonë extendmesdheun overlindor thedhe Eastern Mediterranean and thenë [[History ofHistoria thee BalkansBallkanit|BalkansBallkan]]. The division of the [[Albania (toponym)|Albania]] into small, quarreling fiefdoms ruled by independent feudal lords and tribal chiefs made them easy prey for the Ottoman armies. In 1385, the ruler of [[Durrës]], [[Karl Thopia]], appealed to the sultan for support against his rivals, the [[Balshas|Balsha family]]. An Ottoman force quickly marched into Albania along the [[Via Egnatia]] and routed [[Balsha II]] in the Battle of Savra. The principal Albanian clans soon swore fealty to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans allowed conquered Albanian clan chiefs to maintain their positions and property, but they had to pay tribute, send their sons to the Ottoman court as hostages, and provide the Ottoman army with auxiliary troops.<ref name= "Ottoman Conquest">{{cite web | author = Raymond Zickel and Walter R. Iwaskiw | year = 1994|title=Albania: A Country Study ("The Ottoman Conquest of Albania") | url =http://countrystudies.us/albania/17.htm|accessdate=9 April 2008}}</ref>
