by Xhoni Qoku

On May 1, 1608, the representatives of the villages of Himara — Lukovë, Nivicë, Shën Vasil, Bunec, Sasaj, and Piqeras — together with Hieremias, Bishop of Himara and Delvina, addressed a letter to the Count of Benavente, Viceroy of Naples (representative of the King of Spain). They sent as their envoys the priest Gjon Klosi from Lukovë and Dhimitër Basta from Nivicë.

In the letter they clearly declare:

“TUTTA QUESTA ALBANIA VOLENO SOGGETTARSE…”
— “All of this Albania wishes to place itself under the sovereignty and protection of the King of Spain,” — seeking aid against the Turks.

The document bears the signatures of the elders and representatives of the villages:

Duca Menguli
Subba Bitri
Nicolò di Paulo
Gguma Chiurchi
Conto de Nicolo
Thoma Clossi de Pichermi (Piqeras)
Gioca Vitri de Gini de S(an)to Basili (Shën Vasil)
Chiur Ggini
Duca de Nicolo
Becci Ggini
Stamati Recchi
Mea Lazari
Nicolo de Dima
Ggica Martiri
Gioca Bitri Gini de Lucubo (Lukovë)
Prete Casendi
Suba Ggini
Prat Ggini
Gioca Menculi Cesari de Bunecci (Bunec)
Suba Conti
Suba Ggica
Nica Ggini Sguri
Giorgio de Gica de Sasani (Sasaj)
Cola Menguli
Nica Groneca
Prete Nica
Supa Nicoli
Paulo Pristi
Duca Siri
Gio(an) Despò

Source

Spanish archives.