Golem of Kruja
Golem was an Albanian nobleman who ruled the Principality of Arbanon, in its phase of semi-independency. He was the last ruler of Arbanon before its final annexation in the reemerging Byzantine Empire. His holdings included Krujë and probably Ohrid.Rule
He rose to rule Arbanon through marriage with the daughter of sebastos Gregorios Kamonas and Komnena Nemanjić and then succeeded him to rule Arbanon. The ascension of Golem is regarded as a reversion to the native rule of Albania. Komnena was the daughter of Stefan the First-Crowned and grand-daughter of Alexios III Angelos, the last Byzantine Emperor before the Fourth Crusade. This particular aspect of her origin would become important in later political developments as she was the niece of Irene Laskarina, Empress of Nicaea and thus related to the Nicaean Emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes.
During the conflicts between Despot Michael II Komnenos Doukas of Epirus and Emperor John Vatatzes, Golem and Theodore Petraliphas, who were initially Michael's allies, defected to John Vatatzes in 1252. However, the Albanians rebelled again in 1257/1258 and rejoined the forces of Michael II.
Golem of Kruja is mentioned in two contemporary accounts. As Goulamos in that of George Akropolites and as Goulielmos in that of George Pachymeres. Thus, his name could either be a variant of William, which had entered Albanian as Gulielm or Golem, which had entered Albanian via south Slavic/Bulgarian and signified one's high status. In Albanian historiography, those scholars who have favored the second hypothesis have proposed a possible connection to the Arianiti family, some members of which also used Golem in their names.Citations
