Ruđina Balšić facts for kids

Ruđina Balšić (Serbian Cyrillic: Руђина Балшић) was an important noblewoman from the Balšić family. She lived a long time ago, between 1396 and 1420. She ruled parts of what are now Montenegro and Albania.

Ruđina married a nobleman named Mrkša Žarković. When he passed away in 1414, she took over his lands. These lands were known as the Principality of Valona. She tried to sell her lands to the Venetians, but it didn't work out. In 1417, the Ottoman Empire took control of Valona.

Ruđina then went to Zeta and became the governor of Budva in 1418. Later, in 1420, during a war, she gave Budva to the Venetians. She then moved to Dubrovnik, taking the town's money with her.

Ruđina's Family and Marriage

Ruđina was also known as Rugina or Rudina. She was the daughter of Balša II. Her father was the lord of Zeta from 1378 to 1385. Her mother was Komnena Asen.

In 1391, Ruđina married a nobleman named Mrkša Žarković. Their marriage was approved by the Archbishop of Ohrid. Some people thought their marriage was unusual because they were close relatives. In 1397, Ruđina and her mother became citizens of the Republic of Ragusa.

Ruling Valona and Other Lands

After her husband died in 1414, Ruđina became the ruler of Valona (Vlorë). She also controlled other areas like Kanina, Himare, and Berat. She ruled these lands until 1417.

Ruđina offered to sell Valona to the Republic of Venice. She asked for 10,000 ducats, which was a lot of money. The Venetians wanted Valona. They hoped to stop the Ottomans from controlling the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. But the Venetians took too long to decide. They kept trying to get a better price from Ruđina. While they were negotiating, the Ottomans captured Valona in June 1417.

Becoming Governor of Budva

After the Ottomans took Valona, Ruđina had to leave. She first went to Corfu. Then she went to Zeta, which was ruled by her nephew, Balša III. In 1418, her nephew made her the governor of Budva. Budva was a town on the coast.

In 1419, the Venetians sent their ships to Budva's port. This happened during the Second Scutari War. Ruđina gave the town to the Venetians without fighting. She then fled to the Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik). She took the town's treasury, which was its money and valuables, with her.

Images for kids

• 

  Balšić dominion between 1372 and 1378