Written by Petrit Latifi

In the publication “Reform and Renewal in Medieval East and Central Europe: Politics, Law and Society”, there is an interesting passage of the Albanian Pamaliotti tribe in 15th century Venetian Albania. The Pastrovic tribe is also mentioned as an Albanian clan.

“Luxurious textiles and garments were certainly the most representative assets of the Venetian diplomatic activity in the hinterland of Albania Veneta, yet they were not the only kind of textiles circulated in the Venetian diplomatic exchange with the region’s feudal neighbours. The evidence on such diplomatic encounters also gives an insight into some cheaper textiles, for instance, plain linen or simple woollen hoods, all distributed to the junior aristocracy and leaders of the local kindreds. Although of minor quality and lower price when compared to the luxurious canopy-baldachin, scarlet or brocade, these cloths were still considered rarities. As seen from the examples of the gifts allocated to the coastal clans of the Paštrović, the Pamaliotti, and a Raichus Moneta, these items furnished men with personal garments to be used in military activities, most of which were carried out in order to enforce or protect the interests of the Serenissima.”¹

Pamaliotti are described as according to the fashion of Albanians

” For example, in a document of the year 1423, two chlamydes given to two Pamaliotti sent to Venice , are described as according to the fashion of the Albanians » ( … ad modum Albanesibus ) ‘ , another document of this same year speaks about 50 “chlamydes” destined for the Pastrovices…”²

A certain Nicha Hermani (Nika Ermani) of the Pamaliotti is mentioned in Venetian archives.

“… that it be a fact that Nicha Herman of Pamaliotti, subject of the aforementioned illustrious ducal lordship of Venice, during the term of the present truce, every other offence and treason postponed, has murdered and killed three men of the lord Zorzi, contrary to the terms of the truce and against the sacrament and the faith given by the aforementioned lord captain and by the magnificent lord Marco Barbarigo, honorable governor of Cathar, attentive to the aforesaid crime committed, and also at the request of the aforementioned magnificent lord Zorzi, in accordance with the aforesaid parties, that the finger of Nicha Herman should not stay or live near Scutari within a hundred yards, until the aforementioned illustrious ducal lordship does not make a serious sentence on the finger of Nicha”.³

References

1. https://www.academia.edu/51105762/Reform_and_Renewal_in_Medieval_East_and_Central_Europe_Politics_Law_and_Society ↩︎
2. https://www.google.se/books/edition/Problems_of_the_Formation_of_the_Albania/vZq4AAAAIAAJ?hl=sv&gbpv=1&bsq=Pamaliotti&dq=Pamaliotti&printsec=frontcover ↩︎
3. https://www.google.se/books/edition/Monumenta_spectantia_historiam_slavorum/0xIMAQAAMAAJ?hl=sv&gbpv=1&dq=Pamaliotti&pg=PA293&printsec=frontcover ↩︎