Helena Thopia was an Albanian

Albanians

Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...

 princess from Thopia family

Thopia family

-First notices:One member of Thopia family is mentioned around 1270s with the title of miles. At that time they were holding a territory between Mat and Shkumbin and had close ties with Angevins and the Papal States. They promised to convert from Orthodox to Catholic faith and therefore their...

. She was married to Marco Barbarigo, a Venetian

Republic of Venice

The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...

 nobleman. After the death of her father, Karl Topia, in 1388, she inherited the castle of Krujë

Krujë

Krujë is a town in north central Albania and the capital of the municipality and the Krujë District. It has a population of about 15,900. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana....

 and the surrounding region. In 1392 as a result of the hostilities between her husband and the Venetian forces, her cousin, Niketa Thopia

Niketa Thopia

Niketa Thopia was an Albanian lord member of Thopia family. After the death of Karl Topia, he ruled in the region south of Durrës. In 1403, Niketa Thopia managed to capture the city of Krujë from his cousin, Helena Thopia, thus gaining another part of the territory previously held by the Thopia...

, a Venice loyal, attacked the city of Krujë and forced them to find refuge among the Balsha family.

In 1394 Konstantin Balšić

Konstantin Balšic

Konstantin Balšić , was a lord of the House of Balšić, who ruled over lands in Albania.Konstantin Balšić was the son of Đurađ I and his wife, Theodora...

, an Ottoman vassal, married her and inherited the rights on the Krujë castle. He acted there as an Ottoman vassal. In 1403 Niketa Thopia captured the castle from him.