Thopia

The Thopia were an Albanian feudal family, first attested among the nobles who made pact with Charles I of Anjou in 1274. As Angevin vassals they rose as counts of Mat, and by 1340 held much of the country between the Mati and Shkumbin rivers.

A legend marks their link to Naples: Andrea Thopia abducted Hélène, an illegitimate daughter of King Robert of Naples, and the two were executed, leaving the sons Karl and George. Karl ruled central Albanian domains from 1358, seized Durrës in 1368 and defeated Balša II at Savra in 1385 with Ottoman help, at the price of Ottoman overlordship. He founded the church of Saint Jovan Vladimir near Elbasan in 1381.

His son Gjergj lost Durrës to Venice in 1392, but the house served Skanderbeg. Skanderbeg's commander Tanush Thopia held Krujë during its second siege.