[1][2][3] Progon of Kruja, father of Dhimitër Progoni established his rule in Krujë in 1190.

[6] He used the title princeps Arbanorum ("prince of the Albanians") to refer to himself and was recognized as such by foreign dignitaries.

In the correspondence with Innocent III, the territory he claimed as princeps Arbanorum was the area between Shkodra, Prizren, Ohrid and Durrës (regionis montosae inter Scodram, Dyrrachium, Achridam et Prizrenam sitae).

[9] Many later feudal rulers of Albania would lay claim to the same title and present their rule as the continuation of this state.

The first to do so was Charles I of Anjou who sought to legitimize the Kingdom of Albania as a descendant state of the Principality of Arbanon about 60 years later, in 1272.