Tom Plezha was an
Albanian leader chosen at the
Convention of Mat
The Convention of Mat was organized on November 7, 1594 by Albanian leaders fighting against the Ottoman Empire. Mat was chosen as the place of the meeting due to its role in Albanian revolts of the 16th century. The aim was a better organization ...
to negotiate with the Pope an alliance against the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
.
Life
Tom Plezha held the title ''Captain'' serving the
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...
. He took part in the
Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto was a naval engagement that took place on 7 October 1571 when a fleet of the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic states (comprising Spain and its Italian territories, several independent Italian states, and the Soverei ...
in 1571 and was taken prisoner of war by Ottomans. After gaining freedom, he decided to not serve Venetians again and joined Albanian leaders in organization of Albanian revolts against the Ottoman Empire. He participated in the ''Convention of
Mat'' which was organized on November 7, 1594 by Albanian leaders.
The convention decided that help should be sought from the
Pope
The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
, and the trusted and experienced leaders Tom Plezha,
Mark Gjini Mark Gjini was an Albanian leader chosen at the Convention of Mat to negotiate with the Pope an alliance against the Ottoman Empire.
Life
Mark Gjini held the title of Stradiot captain serving the Republic of Venice. His service to Venetians incl ...
and
Nikollë Mekajshi were chosen to undertake the negotiations.
Legacy
There is a street in
Tirana
Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...
named after Tom Plezha in memory of his contribution to the Albanian struggle for independence.
See also
*
Ottoman Albania
Albania under the Ottoman Empire refers to a period in History of Albania, Albanian history from the Ottoman conquest in the late 15th century to the Albanian Declaration of Independence, Albanian declaration of Independence and official secessi ...
References
Sources
*
*{{cite book, title=Jehona, year=1969
16th-century Albanian people