Epirus has been called Albania since its conquest in the late thirteenth century by Charles d’Anjou, King of Naples.

The kingdom of Albania, a distinct entity from the Kingdom of Naples, has the nature of a military oriented political structure, with the organs of government located in Durrës.

At the head of this governmental body is the captain-general, who has the status of a viceroy.

These persons usually have the title of capitaneus et vicarius generalis and are the head of the army also, while the local forces are commanded by persons who hold the title marescallus in partibus Albaniae.

The royal resources, especially income from salt production and trade, are paid to the thesaurius of Albania.

The port of Durrës and sea trade are essential to the kingdom.

The port is under the command of a prothontius and the Albanian fleet has its own captain.

Other offices are created and function under the authority of the viceroy.

With the attrition of the territory of the kingdom, the persons appointed as captain-generals had begun losing their powers, becoming more like governors of Durrës, than representatives of the king.

The role of local Albanian lords has become increasingly important to the fate of the kingdom, and the Angevins integrate them into their military structure, especially in the second phase of the kingdom.

When Philip of Taranto returned in 1304, one Albanian noble, Gulielm Blinishti, had been appointed head of the Angevin army in the Kingdom of Albania with the title marascallum regnie Albaniae.

He is succeeded in 1318 by Andrea I Muzaka.

Other western titles of nobility are from 1304 on bestowed by the Angevins upon the local Albanian lords.