In 1394, Mrkša sent a monk by the name of Athanasius to the patriarch of Constantinople to request that his union be blessed by the archbishop of Ohrid and that his marriage was dictated by the risk posed by the advancing Ottoman Turks.

In response, the patriarch answered that he could neither forbid nor confirm Mrkša's marriage, and he advised the couple to lead pious lives.

A number of magnates were mentioned as part of his court, which consisted primarily of Slavs and Greeks: Miralija, David, Janja Janjetic, George Kavedatic and the Albanian Kosta Bardha.

[3][1] Thus, the Ottomans officially controlled a port on the Adriatic Sea and began to build their navy in the region, threatening the Venetians.

In response, the Venetians unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Sultan Mehmed I in 1418 to restore Ruđina (who was also an honorary citizen of Venice) as the ruler of Valona and the other lost possessions.