Scanderbeg

Scanderbeg (ISKAXDER or ALEXANDER BEY). the name given to GEORGE CASTRIOTA, who was sent when a boy early in the 15th century as a hostage to Amurath II. and brought up in the Mohammedan creed. In 1443, being in command of a force against the Magyars, he conspired with John Hunyadi to flee Albania, and, having got Croya, the capital; into his hands, he embraced Christianity and independence. In 1461 Mohammed II. was compelled to recognise him, but three years later he again plunged into war with Turkey, and died at Alessio in 1467.