News/Events Around the Area, 1429 AD
Siege of Thessalonica:
In early March 1429, an Ottoman fleet appeared before Thessalonica, capturing two Venetian vessels. Venice, already spending fifty thousand ducats per year on this seemingly futile conflict, was hesitant to commit more resources to the city, which lay dangerously close to Ottoman power. At the same time, Venice was also engaged in a conflict with the Duchy of Milan over control of northern Italy, making it reluctant to declare war on the Ottomans. However, the situation escalated as the Ottoman naval threat grew, with Genoese support from Chios and Lesbos. On March 29, 1429, the Great Council officially declared war against the Sultan, ordering more ships to join their fleet.
By June, Venice struggled to find leadership willing to take on the dangerous role of defending Thessalonica. On July 1, Mocenigo launched an attack on Ottoman ships at Gallipoli, but despite his bravery, his fleet suffered heavy casualties due to a lack of support from the other Venetian vessels. Venice remained reluctant to fully engage in the conflict, and efforts to form alliances with regional powers, including Ibrahim II of Karaman and Shah Rukh, Timur’s son, were pursued. However, by the end of 1429, Shah Rukh had withdrawn to Azerbaijan, and the Ottomans remained a pressing threat.
Epirus:
In July 1429, Carlo II succeeded his uncle Carlo I in all his titles, but his succession was contested by Carlo I's illegitimate sons, led by Memnone, creating further political unrest in the region.