Yaqub Spata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yaqub Spata
Lord of Arta
Reign	1414/5 – 1 October 1416
Predecessor	Maurice Spata
Born	c.1369 Arta, Despotate of Arta
Died	1 October 1416 (aged 47)
House	Spata
Mother	Irene Spata
Religion	Christianity(1369-?), Islam(convert)

Yaqub Spata (also known as Shpata) was the last ruler of Arta. He governed from about 1414 or 1415 until 1416. For a short time, the local people removed him from power. His rule ended when he was captured and killed by Carlo I Tocco. After Yaqub's death, Carlo took control of Arta.

Yaqub Spata: A Ruler's Story

His Family and Early Life

Yaqub was part of the important Albanian Shpata family. His grandfather, Gjon Bua Shpata, was the first Albanian ruler of Arta. Yaqub's mother was Irene, Gjon's daughter. We don't know who his father was.

Yaqub had an older brother named Muriq Shpata. He also had two half-siblings, Charles and Madalena Marchesano. They were from his mother's second marriage.

Yaqub grew up in the court of Sultan Mehmed I in the Ottoman Empire. While there, he became a Muslim and took the name Yaqub.

Becoming Lord of Arta

In 1414 or 1415, Yaqub's older brother Muriq died. Yaqub then claimed the right to rule Arta. His mother, Irene, supported him. He successfully took control of Arta. At the same time, his half-brother Charles became the ruler of a nearby place called Rogoi.

Challenges to His Rule

Yaqub's Muslim faith caused problems. The local people worried he would hand them over to the Ottomans. So, they rebelled, put him in prison, and made his half-brother Charles Marchesano their new ruler.

After being freed, Yaqub went to the Ottoman court for help. The Sultan gave him an army led by a man named Ismail. Yaqub returned to Arta and took the city back after a short fight. He sent his half-brother Charles away. He also had the city's main leaders killed because they had helped remove him from power.

Facing Carlo Tocco

After getting Arta back, Yaqub faced a new challenge. Carlo I Tocco, a powerful count, wanted to expand his lands. Carlo had already taken Ioannina and the northern part of the old Despotate of Epirus. He claimed to be helping the local Greeks against the Albanian lords. Now, he wanted to take the southern parts of Epirus, including Arta.

Carlo used a fortress called Vobliana as his base. From there, he raided Yaqub's lands. Yaqub and his father-in-law, Maurice, tried to capture Vobliana. Maurice had previously worked for Tocco but had switched sides.

Yaqub and Maurice were badly defeated by Carlo's brother, Leonardo II Tocco, near ancient Nicopolis. However, Carlo's son, Torno, also faced difficulties against the Albanians.

The End of Yaqub's Rule

The Tocchi family managed to capture Rhiniasa. Leonardo then tried to take Rogoi, and Carlo tried to take Arta. But Yaqub and his father-in-law successfully defended Arta for a while.

Carlo went back to Ioannina. Soon after, he tricked Yaqub into an ambush near Vobliana. Yaqub was captured and immediately killed. This happened on October 1, 1416.

After Yaqub's death, the important people of Arta took control from his mother. They offered to surrender the city to Carlo. They asked him to respect their existing rights and special permissions. Carlo agreed and entered Arta on October 4. At the same time, Leonardo Tocco took over Rogoi.