Progon of Kruja founds the Principality of Arbanon in 1190, the first Albanian state on record, and the source of the name Arbër, Arbëria, Arbëresh. Everything the country later calls itself descends from this word.
Arbanon is followed by an Angevin Kingdom of Albania, Charles of Anjou proclaims the Regnum Albaniae at Durrës in 1272, and then by competing noble houses carving the territory between them: Thopia, Balsha, Muzaka, Arianiti, and a family from the northern hills called Kastrioti.
It is fragmented, violent, and it is the period in which an Albanian political identity becomes a thing that exists.
Key points
| 1190 | Arbanon founded by Progon, the first Albanian state |
| 1272 | Charles of Anjou proclaims the Regnum Albaniae at Durrës |
| Houses | Thopia · Balsha · Muzaka · Arianiti · Kastrioti |
| The name | Arbër enters the record here and never leaves |
Research by ARBËR, the Living Museum of Albania. Published facts are verified or presented as open debate.