Capture of Drivast, Sveti Srđ, and Bar

Lazarević and his Serbian Despotate had been ceded Lordship of Zeta from Balša III in April 1421, but the Venetians did not recognize him, holding on to the occupied Zetan coast and Bojana, including Drivast recaptured by them after Balša's death.^[6] Venetians emphasized to the despot's envoy that they had no intention to cede Balša's former possessions to the despot and even requested Ottoman support in case of the despot's attack.^[7] In August 1421, Lazarević led his army into Zeta. Gjon Kastrioti, who was a Serbian ally,^[8] reinforced Lazarević with troops led by one of his sons immediately upon the arrival of the latter in Zeta.^[9][10] According to Fan Noli it was Stanisha who was sent by his father, together with auxiliary forces, to help the Serbian despot to capture Scutari from the Venetians.^[11] With their support, the despot immediately captured Sveti Srdj and Drivast. Then he went to the coast and took Bar in the middle of November 1421.

Lazarević appointed Voivode Mazarek to administer his possessions in Zeta.^[12] Until then, Mazarek administered Lazarević's possessions in Rudnik (1414)^[13] and Ostrovica.^[14] Noblemen from Bar were then invited to a meeting in the cathedral of St. George where they recognized the suzerainty of the Serbian despot while Mazarek recognized their right to govern the city according to their own legislations.^[15]

Truce

Lazarević concluded the six-months truce with Venice and left to support king Sigismund in his fight against the Hussites. The truce was agreed to last until 15 May 1422.^[16] After Lazarević's initial success, the Venetians readily accepted the truce. The towns of Scutari, Ulcinj, and Budva at that moment remainined under their control.^{[citation needed]}

The Venetians used the truce to reinforce the Scutari garrison. They transported soldiers, food, and arms to Skadar through river Bojana.^[17]

During the truce in the first half of 1422, peace negotiations were held in Venice and attended by the despot's envoy Duke Vitko. They were continued in Serbia between Venice's envoy Marco Barbadigo and Lazarević himself.^[18] When Lazarević demanded the surrender of disputed towns, Venice refused and war resumed.^[6]

Battles on Bojana

Despot Stefan did not continue the war immediately after the truce because he was busy with other activities, but his voivode Mazarek undertook actions to prevent Venetian reinforcement of the Scutari garrison.^[17] He erected several fortresses on the right bank of river Bojana from where he controlled the river. When Venetian captain Niccolo Capello was sent to transport food, supplies, and archers to the besieged Scutari using three galleys, Mazarek's forces on Bojana forced his galleys to retreat to the Adriatic Sea.^[19] In July 1422, the Venetian Senate ordered Niccolo Capello to return to Bojana and complete his mission, but he decided to wait for two galleys of providur and supracomite Marco Bembo and Marco Barbo carrying soldiers and material for destruction of the fortress Mazarek had erected in Sveti Srđ.^[20]

Siege of Scutari in 1422

Lazarević's forces besieged Scutari, probably in June 1422, and for a year, it seemed that Venice would have lost their possessions. In November 1422, a Venetian fleet destroyed Mazarek's fortresses on Bojana and reached Sveti Srđ. Due to low water level they could not continue their voyage through Bojana.^[21]

Supported by some local Albanians, Venice managed to break the siege in December 1422.^[22] The Scutari garrison led by captain Niccolo Capello unexpectedly attacked Lazarević's army during one December night and broke the siege.^[23] After the siege was broken Venetians reinforced Scutari's garrison with additional 400 cavalry and between 200 and 300 infantry.^[23]

Siege of Scutari in 1423

Lazarević's army did not suffer serious casualties and returned under Scutari's fortress in January 1423.^[24] In January 1423, Venice bribed and won over the Pamaliots on Bojana, and then bought over several tribal leader in or near Zeta: the Paštrovići, Gjon Kastrioti (who had extended to the outskirts of Alessio), the Dukagjins, and Koja Zaharija.^[22] Though none of these were mobilized militarily by Venice, they left the ranks of Lazarević's army, thus became a potential danger to Lazarević.^[22] Although Venetian admiral Francesco Bembo offered money to Gjon Kastrioti, Dukagjins, and to Koja Zaharija in April 1423 to join the Venetian forces against the Serbian Despotate, they refused.^[25]

In summer of 1423, Despot Lazarević sent Đurađ Branković with 8,000 cavalry to Zeta. He besieged Scutari and erected fortresses on Bojana to cut off Venetian supplies of the besieged city. Duke Sandalj was prepared to support Lazarević in his attempts to capture Scutari. Faced with such difficult situation Venetian governors were instructed to negotiate peace.