Thomas Preljubović

Thomas Preljubović, a monarch of the Despotate of Epirus, ruled from 1367 until his untimely death in 1384. His reign was marked by significant unpopularity, as he was viewed negatively by his contemporaries. Despite his title, Thomas struggled to maintain the loyalty of his subjects and faced numerous challenges during his time on the throne.

Throughout his rule, Thomas was preoccupied with military conflicts against various factions. He engaged in battles against the Albanians of the Despotate of Arta to the south, the Zenebishi family to the north, and the Mazreku and other clans to the northwest. His efforts to quell these threats were often brutal, leading him to adopt the self-styled epithet of Albanian-slayer, a title that reflected his ruthless tactics, including the torture of Albanian prisoners.

On December twenty-third, 1384, Thomas's reign came to a violent end when he was stabbed to death by his own guards at dawn. This assassination was the result of a conspiracy that included his wife, Maria Angelina, who would go on to succeed him. The circumstances surrounding his death highlight the instability and treachery that characterized his rule.