Gjirokastra was first mentioned in 1388-1389 because of a rebellion against Byzantine rule. Gjirokastra was part of the faciton which supported Andronikos III (sic! Karaiskaj). In the second half of the 14th century, Gjirokastra was ruled by the Albanian noble family of Zenebisi. In 1399 Despot Esau unsuccessfully besieged Gjirokastra. In 1418 the town was ceded to the Ottoman Empire.