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{{History of Lithuania}}
The '''history of Lithuania between 1219 and 1295''' deals with the establishment and early history of the first Lithuanian state, the ]. The beginning of the 13th century marks the end of the ] of Lithuania. From this point on the ] is recorded in chronicles, treaties, and other written documents. In 1219, ] signed a peace treaty with ]. This event is widely accepted as the first proof that the ] were uniting and consolidating.<ref name=gerutis/> Despite continuous warfare with two Christian orders, the ] and the ], the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established and gained some control over the lands of ], ], ], and other territories east of modern-day Lithuania that had become weak and vulnerable after the collapse of ].


The '''history of Lithuania''' between 1219 and 1295 concerns the establishment and early history of the first Lithuanian state, the ]. The beginning of the 13th century marks the end of the ]. From this point on the ] is recorded in chronicles, treaties, and other written documents. In 1219, ] signed a peace treaty with ]. This event is widely accepted as the first proof that the ] were uniting and consolidating.<ref name=gerutis/> Despite continuous warfare with two Christian orders, the ] and the ], the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established and gained some control over the lands of ], ], ], and other territories east of modern-day Lithuania that had become weak and vulnerable after the collapse of ].
The first ruler to hold the title of ] was ]. Traditionally he is considered the founder of the state, the one who united the Baltic tribes and established the Duchy. Some scholars, however, challenge this perception, arguing that an organized state existed before Mindaugas,<ref name=EL>{{cite encyclopedia | editor = Simas Sužiedėlis | encyclopedia = ] | title = Mindaugas | year = 1970–1978 | publisher = Juozas Kapočius | volume = III | location = Boston, Massachusetts | id = {{LCC|74-114275}} | pages = 538 }}</ref> possibly as early as 1183.<ref name=voruta/> After quelling an internal war with his nephews, Mindaugas was baptized in 1251, and was crowned as ] in 1253. However, in 1261, he broke the peace with the Livonian Order, perhaps even renouncing Christianity. His assassination in 1263 by ] ended the early Christian kingdom in Lithuania. For another 120 years Lithuania would remain a pagan empire, fighting against the Teutonic and Livonian Orders during the ] to Christianize the land.<ref name=empire>{{cite book |last=Rowell |first=C. S. |title=Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-central Europe, 1295–1345 |url=http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN052145011X&id=i4hpVJ51y4oC&pg=RA4-PA302&lpg=RA4-PA302&ots=P3nSLgRq0q&sig=HV-YSHqOx0dP9A3NcNcvnDdWkWs#PRA4-PA303,M1 |accessdate=2007-01-02 |date=1994-06-24 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=052145011X |pages=302–304}}</ref>


The first ruler to hold the title of ] was ]. Traditionally he is considered the founder of the state, the one who united the Baltic tribes and established the Duchy. Some scholars, however, challenge this perception, arguing that an organized state existed before Mindaugas,<ref name=EL>{{cite encyclopedia | editor = Simas Sužiedėlis | encyclopedia = ] | title = Mindaugas | year = 1970–1978 | publisher = Juozas Kapočius | volume = III | location = Boston, Massachusetts | page = 538 | lccn = 74-114275 }}</ref> possibly as early as 1183.<ref name=voruta/> After quelling an internal war with his nephews, Mindaugas was baptized in 1251, and was crowned as ] in 1253. In 1261, he broke the peace with the Livonian Order, perhaps even renouncing Christianity. His assassination in 1263 by ] ended the early Christian kingdom in Lithuania. For another 120 years Lithuania would remain a ] empire, fighting against the Teutonic and Livonian Orders during the ] during their attempts to ] the land.<ref name=empire>{{cite book |last=Rowell |first=C. S. |title=Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-central Europe, 1295–1345 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i4hpVJ51y4oC&pg=RA4-PA302 |access-date=2007-01-02 |date=24 June 1994 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-45011-X |pages=302–304}}</ref>
After Mindaugas' death, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania entered times of relative instability, as reflected by the fact that ] held the title over the course of the next thirty-two years. Little is known about this period, but the ] was founded in about 1280. Despite the instability, the Grand Duchy did not disintegrate. ] assumed power in 1295, and during the next twenty years laid solid foundations for the Duchy to expand and grow under the leadership of ] and his son ]. While the Grand Duchy was established between 1219 and 1295, the years after 1295 marked its expansion.

After Mindaugas' death, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania entered times of relative instability, as reflected by the fact that ] held the title over the course of the next 32 years. Little is known about this period, but the ] was founded in about 1280. Despite the instability, the Grand Duchy did not disintegrate. ] assumed power in 1295, and during the next 20 years laid solid foundations for the Duchy to expand and grow under the leadership of ] and his son ]. While the Grand Duchy was established between 1219 and 1295, the years after 1295 marked its expansion.


==Establishment of the state== ==Establishment of the state==

===Baltic unification=== ===Baltic unification===
] ] ca. 13th century. The Eastern Balts are shown in brown hues, the Western Balts in green.]]


The Balts were largely driven to unite by external threats from aggressive German religious orders.<ref name=kiaupa/> In 1202, the Order of the ] was established by Albert, the Bishop of ], to promote the Christianization and conquest of the ], ], ], ] near the ]. It waged a number of successful campaigns and posed a great danger to the Lithuanian territories. The Order's progress was halted by its defeat at the ] in 1236, after which it almost collapsed.<ref name="kiaupa">{{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |coauthors= Jūratė Kiaupienė, Albinas Kunevičius |title= The History of Lithuania Before 1795 |chapter=Establishment of the State |origyear= 1995|edition= English|year= 2000|publisher= Lithuanian Institute of History|location= Vilnius|isbn= 9986-810-13-2|pages=45–72}}</ref> Eventually, it united with the Teutonic Knights and continued its incursions, known as ''Reisen'', against the Baltic tribes. The Balts were largely driven to unite by external threats from aggressive German religious orders.<ref name=kiaupa/> In 1202, the Order of the ] was established by ], the ], to promote the Christianization and conquest of the ], ], ], and ] near the ]. The Order waged a number of successful campaigns and posed a great danger to the Lithuanian territories. The Order's progress was halted by its defeat at the ] in 1236, after which it almost collapsed.<ref name="kiaupa">{{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |author2=Jūratė Kiaupienė |author3=Albinas Kuncevičius |title= The History of Lithuania Before 1795 |chapter=Establishment of the State |orig-year= 1995|edition= English|year= 2000|publisher= Lithuanian Institute of History|location= Vilnius|isbn= 9986-810-13-2|pages=45–72}}</ref> The following year, it merged into the ].<ref>Andrejs Plakans, ''A Concise History of the Baltic States'', 44.</ref>


In 1226, ] invited the ] to defend his borders and subdue the ], offering the Knights the use of ] as a base for their campaign. In 1230, they settled in Chełmno, built a castle, and began attacking Prussian lands. After forty-four years, and despite two Prussian uprisings against them, they had conquered most of the Prussian tribes. Afterwards, the Knights spent nine years conquering the ], ], and ], and from 1283, they were better positioned to threaten the young Lithuanian state from the west.<ref name=cd-812>{{lt icon}} {{cite book |last=Kulikauskas |first=Gediminas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |accessdate=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Ordinų raida XIII–XIV amžiuose |chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=812}}</ref> In 1226, ] invited the Teutonic Knights to defend his borders and subdue the ], offering the Knights the use of ] (Kulm) as a base for their campaign. In 1230, they settled in Chełmno, built a castle, and began attacking Prussian lands. After 44 years, and despite two Prussian uprisings against them, they had conquered most of the Prussian tribes. Afterwards, the Knights spent nine years conquering the ], ], and ], and from 1283, they were better positioned to threaten the young Lithuanian state from the west.<ref name=cd-812>{{cite book |last=Kulikauskas |first=Gediminas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |access-date=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Ordinų raida XIII–XIV amžiuose |chapter-url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=812 |language=lt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717110757/http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |archive-date=17 July 2007 }}</ref>


{| class=wikitable align=left {| class="wikitable" style="float:left; margin: .2em 1em 0 .2em;"
|- |-
! colspan=5| Known Lithuanian military expeditions<ref name=kiaupa/> ! colspan=5| Known Lithuanian military expeditions<ref name=kiaupa/>
|- |-
Line 37: Line 41:
|- |-
! Total !! 26 !! 35 !! 14 !! 75 ! Total !! 26 !! 35 !! 14 !! 75
|} |}
Further unification of the Lithuanian tribes was facilitated by the social changes that took place in Lithuania during this period. Private land ownership was established (]s, Lithuanian: ''atolai''), which would later evolve into a ]. As attested by many chronicles, it was the principal form of organization governing land ownership in the 13th century.<ref name=MGweb>{{lt icon}} {{cite journal |last=Butkevičienė |first= Birutė | coauthors= Vytautas Gricius |year=2003 |month=July |title=Mindaugas Lietuvos karalius |journal= Mokslas ir gyvenimas |volume=7 |issue=547 |pages= |id=ISSN 0134-3084 |url=http://ausis.gf.vu.lt/mg/nr/2003/07/7mlk.html |accessdate= 2006-09-17}}</ref> Under this system, known in England as ], only the eldest son could inherit lands, which allowed dukes to consolidate their holdings. ]es and divisions of labor also began taking shape. There were castes of strong and experienced soldiers, owning land, people and stock, and a caste of "unfree" people (likely, prisoners of war).<ref name=MGweb /> In order to enforce this social structure, a united state was needed. Another force behind unification was the desire to take advantage of Ruthenian lands, which were suffering from the ] invasion. Temporary alliances among Lithuanian dukes often sufficed for military ventures into, and plundering of, these lands (including ], plundered in 1213). Altogether, between 1201 and 1236, Lithuanians launched at least 22 incursions into ], 14 into ], and 4 into ]. The ongoing administration of conquered territories, however, required a strong and unified central power.<ref name=kiaupa /> Further unification of the Lithuanian tribes was facilitated by the social changes that took place in Lithuania during this period. Private land ownership was established (]s, Lithuanian: ''atolai''), which would later evolve into a ]. As attested by many chronicles, it was the principal form of organization governing land ownership in the 13th century.<ref name=MGweb>{{cite journal|last=Butkevičienė |first=Birutė |author2=Vytautas Gricius |date=July 2003 |title=Mindaugas&nbsp;– Lietuvos karalius |journal=Mokslas Ir Gyvenimas |volume=7 |issue=547 |url=http://ausis.gf.vu.lt/mg/nr/2003/07/7mlk.html |issn=0134-3084 |access-date=2006-09-17 |language=lt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523045154/http://ausis.gf.vu.lt/mg/nr/2003/07/7mlk.html |archive-date=23 May 2007 }}</ref> Under this system, known in England as ], only the eldest son could inherit lands, which allowed dukes to consolidate their holdings. ]es and divisions of labor also began taking shape. There were classes of experienced soldiers (]), of free peasants (]), and of "unfree" people (] and ]).<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lzuu.lt/file.doc?id=17317 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722151716/http://www.lzuu.lt/file.doc?id=17317 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-22 |first=Marytė Elena |last=Tarvydienė |title=Žemėtvarkos pagrindai |publisher=] |year=2007 |page=17 |language=lt }}</ref> In order to enforce this social structure, a united state was needed. Another force behind unification was the desire to take advantage of ]n lands, which were suffering from the ]. Temporary alliances among Lithuanian dukes often sufficed for military ventures into, and plundering of, these lands (including ], plundered in 1213). Altogether, between 1201 and 1236, Lithuanians launched at least 22 incursions into ], 14 into ], and 4 into ]. The ongoing administration of conquered territories, however, required a strong and unified central power.<ref name=kiaupa />


===Halych-Volhynia Treaty=== ===Galicia–Volhynia Treaty===
] ] in 1260. The Order, established in 1202, posed a great danger to the Balts, which encouraged unification.]]


Some evidence suggests that Lithuanians began combining their forces at the dawn of the 13th century. For example, in 1207, soldiers were recruited across Lithuania to fight the German ]s, and in 1212, ]' treaty with ] shows that he exerted some degree of influence over a vast area.<ref name=cd-821>{{lt icon}} {{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |accessdate=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Baltų žemių vienijimosi priežastys |chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=821}}</ref> During the first twenty years of the 13th century, Lithuanians organized some thirty military expeditions to Livonia, Russia, and Poland.<ref name=kiaupa /> Historian ] argues that a ] could be said to exist as early as 1183.<ref name=voruta>{{lt icon}} {{cite journal |first=Tomas |last=Baranauskas |authorlink=Tomas Baranauskas |year=2003 | month=March 23, |title=Mindaugo karūnavimo ir Lietuvos karalystės problemos | url= http://www.voruta.lt/article.php?article=87&showtype=archive | journal=] | volume=6 | issue=504 | id=ISSN 1392-0677 | accessdate =2006-09-17}}</ref> Some evidence suggests that Lithuanians began combining their forces at the dawn of the 13th century. For example, in 1207, soldiers were recruited across Lithuania to fight the German ]s, and in 1212, ]' treaty with ] shows that he exerted some degree of influence over a vast area.<ref name=cd-821>{{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |access-date=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Baltų žemių vienijimosi priežastys |chapter-url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=821 |language=lt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717110757/http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |archive-date=17 July 2007 }}</ref> During the first twenty years of the 13th century, Lithuanians organized some thirty military expeditions to Livonia, Rus', and Poland.<ref name=kiaupa /> Historian ] argues that a ] could be said to exist as early as 1183.<ref name=voruta>{{cite journal |first=Tomas |last=Baranauskas |author-link=Tomas Baranauskas | date=23 March 2003 |title=Mindaugo karūnavimo ir Lietuvos karalystės problemos | url= http://www.voruta.lt/article.php?article=87 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20051026174819/http://www.voruta.lt/article.php?article=87 | archive-date= 26 October 2005 | journal=] |issn=1392-0677 | volume=6 | issue=504 | access-date =2006-09-17|language=lt}}</ref>


However, the first conclusive evidence that the Balts were uniting is considered to be the treaty with ] signed in 1219.<ref name=gerutis>{{cite book |last=Jakštas |first=Juozas |editor= Albertas Gerutis (ed.) |others= translated by Algirdas Budreckis|title= Lithuania: 700 Years |year=1984 |edition=6th |publisher= Manyland Books|location= New York|id={{LCC|75-80057}}. ISBN 0-87141-028-1 |pages=45–50 |chapter=Beginning of the State}}</ref> The treaty's signatories include ]; it specifies that five of those were elder and thus took precedence over the remaining sixteen. Presumably, the eldest Duke was ], since his name was mentioned first.<ref name=voruta /> Mindaugas, despite his youth, and his brother ], are listed among the elder dukes. That would imply that they inherited their titles.<ref name=cd-821 /> The remaining two elder dukes were ] (mentioned 2nd) and his bother ] (mentioned last of the five). However, the first conclusive evidence that the Balts were uniting is considered to be the treaty with ] signed in 1219.<ref name=gerutis>{{cite book |last=Jakštas |first=Juozas |editor= Albertas Gerutis|others= translated by Algirdas Budreckis|title= Lithuania: 700 Years |year=1984 |edition=6th |publisher= Manyland Books|location= New York|isbn=0-87141-028-1 |pages=45–50 |chapter=Beginning of the State}}</ref> The treaty's signatories include ]; it specifies that five of those were elder and thus took precedence over the remaining sixteen. Presumably, the eldest Duke was ], since his name was mentioned first.<ref name=voruta /> Mindaugas, despite his youth, and his brother ], are listed among the elder dukes. That would imply that they inherited their titles.<ref name=cd-821 /> {{citation needed span|The remaining two elder dukes were ] (mentioned second) and his brother ] (mentioned last of the five).|date=December 2022}}


The treaty is important for several reasons. It shows that the Lithuanian Dukes were co-operating; the signatories include Dukes who ruled lands such as ], which probably had no contact with Halych-Volhynia. Their participation implies a perception of common interest, an indication of a nascent state. However, the designation of five Dukes as "elder" shows that the process of unification was still in transition. The inclusion of twenty-one Dukes indicates that the various lands in Lithuania were powerful and semi-independent. Historians consider the treaty an interesting documentation of the long and complex process of a state's formation.<ref name=cd-821 /> The progress of unification was uneven; for example, after the deaths of Dukes ] in 1213 and ] in 1214, fewer raids were organized by Lithuanians.<ref name=kiaupa /> The treaty is important for several reasons. It shows that the Lithuanian Dukes were co-operating; the signatories include Dukes who ruled lands such as ], which probably had no contact with Galicia–Volhynia. Their participation implies a perception of common interest, an indication of a nascent state. However, the designation of five Dukes as "elder" shows that the process of unification was still in transition. The inclusion of 21 Dukes indicates that the various lands in Lithuania were powerful and semi-independent. Historians consider the treaty an interesting documentation of the long and complex process of a state's formation.<ref name=cd-821 /> The progress of unification was uneven; for example, after the deaths of Dukes ] in 1213 and ] in 1214, fewer raids were organized by Lithuanians.<ref name=kiaupa />


===Rise of Mindaugas=== ===Rise of Mindaugas===
], the duke who governed southern Lithuania between the ] and ] Rivers,<ref name=MGweb /> eventually became the founder of the state. Mindaugas is referred to as the ruler of all Lithuania in the ] in 1236.<ref name=LV-Mind>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius |author2=Rimantas Jasas | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Mindaugas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |pages=15–18|language=lt}}</ref> The means by which he managed to acquire this title are not well known. Rus' chronicles mention that he murdered or expelled various other dukes, including his relatives.<ref name=gerutis />
]


], the victorious leader in the ], as depicted in the Chronicles of ], published in 1578]]
Mindaugas, the duke who governed southern Lithuania between the ] and ] Rivers,<ref name=MGweb /> eventually became the founder of the state. Mindaugas is referred to as the ruler of all Lithuania in the ] in 1236.<ref name=LV-Mind>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius |coauthors=Rimantas Jasas | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Mindaugas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=15–18}}</ref> The means by which he managed to acquire this title are not well-known. Russian chronicles mention that he murdered or expelled various other dukes, including his relatives.<ref name=gerutis />
In 1236, Duke ] led the Samogitian forces to victory in the ], where the Livonian Order suffered a catastrophic defeat. It seems that Vykintas did not receive support from Mindaugas.<ref name=cd-822>{{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |access-date=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Mindaugas&nbsp;– valstybės statytojas |chapter-url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=822 |language=lt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717110757/http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |archive-date=17 July 2007 }}</ref> Vykintas' personal power grew. The Livonian Order was on the brink of collapse and was forced to become a branch of the Teutonic Knights. The combined Orders focused on the conquest of ], since only this land prevented them from consolidating their territories. The union of these aggressive powers could not have passed without notice in Lithuanian lands, and might have furthered the unification process.<ref name=kiaupa /> In about 1239 Mindaugas took over the weakened ] and appointed his son Vaišvilkas to govern it.<ref name=LV-Mind /> During the early 1240s, Mindaugas strengthened and established his power in various Baltic lands.<ref name=kiaupa /> In 1245, Mindaugas sent his nephews ] and ], the sons of Dausprungas and Vykintas, to conquer ], but they were unsuccessful. In 1249, an internal war erupted as Mindaugas sought to seize his nephews' and Vykintas' lands.<ref name=LV-Mind />


Tautvilas, Edivydas, and Vykintas formed a powerful coalition with the Samogitians, the Livonian Order, ] (Tautvilas and Edivydas' brother-in-law), and Vasilko of ] in opposition to Mindaugas. Only Poles, invited by Daniel, declined to take part in the coalition against the Lithuanians. The dukes of Galicia and Volhynia managed to gain control over Black Ruthenia, an area ruled by Mindaugas' son Vaišvilkas. Tautvilas traveled to Riga, where he was baptized by the Archbishop. In 1250, the Order organized two major raids, one against Nalša land and the other against the domains of Mindaugas and those parts of Samogitia that still supported him.<ref name=MGweb />
In 1236, Duke ] led the Samogitian forces to victory in the ], where the Livonian Order suffered a catastrophic defeat. It seems that Vykintas did not receive support from Mindaugas.<ref name=cd-822>{{lt icon}} {{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |accessdate=2006-12-31 |edition= |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Mindaugas – valstybės statytojas |chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=822}}</ref> Vykintas' personal power grew. The Livonian Order was on the brink of collapse and was forced to become a branch of the Teutonic Knights. The combined Orders focused on the conquest of ], since only this land prevented them from consolidating their territories. The union of these aggressive powers could not have passed without notice in Lithuanian lands, and might have furthered the unification process.<ref name=kiaupa /> In about 1239 Mindaugas took over the weakened ] and appointed his son Vaišvilkas to govern it.<ref name=LV-Mind /> During the early 1240s, Mindaugas strengthened and established his power in various Baltic lands.<ref name=kiaupa /> In 1245, Mindaugas sent his nephews ] and ], the sons of Dausprungas and Vykintas, to conquer ], but they were unsuccessful. In 1249, an internal war erupted as Mindaugas sought to seize his nephews' and Vykintas' lands.<ref name=LV-Mind />


] is the most probable site of ]]]
], published in 1578]]
Attacked from the north and south and facing the possibility of unrest elsewhere, Mindaugas was placed in an extremely difficult position, but managed to use the conflicts between the Livonian Order and the ] in his own interests. He succeeded in bribing Andreas von Stierland,<ref name=MGweb /> the master of the Order, who was still angry at Vykintas for the defeat in 1236.<ref name=cd-823 /> In 1251, Mindaugas agreed to receive baptism and relinquish control over some lands in western Lithuania, for which he was to receive a crown in return. In 1252, Tautvilas and his remaining allies attacked Mindaugas in ], sometimes considered to be the first capital of Lithuania. The attack failed and Tautvilas' forces retreated to defend themselves in ] Castle, in the present-day ]. Vykintas died in or about 1253, and Tautvilas was forced to rejoin Daniel of Galicia. Daniel reconciled with Mindaugas in 1254; the Black Ruthenian lands were transferred to Roman, the son of Daniel. Vaišvilkas, the son of Mindaugas, decided to join a monastery.<ref name=kiaupa /> Tautvilas recognized Mindaugas' superiority and received ] as a ]dom.<ref name=LV-Taut>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius |author2=Algirdas Matulevičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Tautvila |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |pages=20–21|language=lt}}</ref>
Tautvilas, Edivydas, and Vykintas formed a powerful coalition with the Samogitians, the Livonian Order, ] (Tautvilas and Edivydas' brother-in-law), and Vasilko of ] in opposition to Mindaugas. Only Poles, invited by Daniel, declined to take part in the coalition against the Lithuanians. The dukes of Halych and Volhynia managed to gain control over Black Ruthenia, an area ruled by Mindaugas' son Vaišvilkas. Tautvilas traveled to Riga, where he was baptized by the Archbishop. In 1250, the Order organized two major raids, one against Nalša land and the other against the domains of Mindaugas and those parts of Samogitia that still supported him.<ref name=MGweb />

] is the most probable site of Voruta]]
Attacked from the north and south and facing the possibility of unrest elsewhere, Mindaugas was placed in an extremely difficult position, but managed to use the conflicts between the Livonian Order and the ] in his own interests. He succeeded in bribing Andreas von Stierland,<ref name=MGweb /> the master of the Order, who was still angry at Vykintas for the defeat in 1236.<ref name=cd-823 /> In 1251, Mindaugas agreed to receive baptism and relinquish control over some lands in western Lithuania, for which he was to receive a crown in return. In 1252, Tautvilas and his remaining allies attacked Mindaugas in ], sometimes considered to be the first capital of Lithuania. The attack failed and Tautvilas' forces retreated to defend themselves in ] Castle, in the present-day ]. Vykintas died in or about 1253, and Tautvilas was forced to rejoin Daniel of Halych. Daniel reconciled with Mindaugas in 1254; the Black Ruthenian lands were transferred to Roman, the son of Daniel. Vaišvilkas, the son of Mindaugas, decided to join a monastery.<ref name=kiaupa /> Tautvilas recognized Mindaugas' superiority and received ] as a ].<ref name=LV-Taut>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius |coauthors=Algirdas Matulevičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Tautvila |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=20–21}}</ref>


==Kingdom of Lithuania== ==Kingdom of Lithuania==
] from 1255]]
]
As promised, Mindaugas and his wife ] were crowned at some time during the summer of 1253, and the ], proclaimed by the pope in 1251, was soundly established. 6 July is now celebrated as "Statehood Day" (Lithuanian: ''Valstybės diena''); it is an official holiday in modern Lithuania.<ref>{{in lang|lt}} , Žin., 1990, Nr. 31-757, ]. Retrieved 2006-09-17.</ref> However, the exact date of the coronation is not known; the scholarship of historian ], who promulgated this date, is sometimes challenged.<ref name=voruta /> {{citation needed span|The location of the coronation also remains unknown.|date=December 2022}}


] supported Mindaugas, hoping that a new Christian state could stem the inroads being made by the ], a state of the ].<ref name=LV-Mind /> On 17 July 1251, the pope signed two crucial ]s. One of them ordered the Bishop of ] to crown Mindaugas as King of Lithuania, appoint a bishop for Lithuania, and to build a cathedral. The other bull specified that the new bishop was to be directly subordinate to the pope.<ref name=MGweb /> This was a welcome development to the Lithuanians, since they were concerned that their long-standing antagonists, the Livonian Order, would exert too much control over the new state.<ref name=gerutis />
As promised, Mindaugas and his wife ] were crowned at some time during the summer of 1253, and the ], proclaimed by the pope in 1251, was soundly established. July 6 is now celebrated as "Statehood Day" (Lithuanian: ''Valstybės diena''); it is an official holiday in modern Lithuania.<ref>{{lt icon}} , Žin., 1990, Nr. 31-757, ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> However, the exact date of the coronation is not known; the scholarship of historian ], who promulgated this date, is sometimes challenged.<ref name=voruta /> The location of the coronation also remains unknown.


It took some time before a Bishop of Lithuania was appointed because of various conflicts of interest. The Bishop of ] appointed ] (Lithuanian: ''Vitas''), a monk of the ], to this position, but he was not recognized by Mindaugas or accepted by the populace. The activities of Vito in Lithuania are unknown, although he is sometimes associated with Mindaugas' Cathedral.<ref name=kiaupa /> Finally, in 1254, Christian (Lithuanian: ''Kristijonas'') from the Livonian Order was appointed. Mindaugas endowed him with some lands in Samogitia, but not much is known about his activities. Historical sources do not mention any sponsorship of missionaries, education of priests, or construction of churches during that time, and Bishop Christian went back to Germany in 1259, where he died in 1271.<ref name=kiaupa /> The establishment of Mindaugas' Cathedral remains problematic, but recent archeological research found the remains of a 13th-century brick building on the site of the present-day ].<ref name=MGweb /> The general assumption is that the remains are those of Mindaugas Cathedral, built to satisfy the agreement with the pope. However, as later events showed, Lithuanians resisted Christianization, and Mindaugas' baptism had only a temporary impact on further developments.<ref name=kiaupa />
] supported Mindaugas, hoping that a new Christian state could stem the inroads being made by the ], a state of ]-].<ref name=LV-Mind /> On ], ], the pope signed two crucial ]s. One of them ordered the Bishop of ] to crown Mindaugas as King of Lithuania, appoint a bishop for Lithuania, and to build a cathedral. The other bull specified that the new bishop was to be directly subordinate to the pope.<ref name=MGweb /> This was a welcome development to the Lithuanians, since they were concerned that their long-standing antagonists, the Livonian Order, would exert too much control over the new state.<ref name=gerutis />


Immediately after his coronation, Mindaugas transferred some western lands to the Livonian Order&nbsp;– portions of ], ], and ].<ref name=voruta /> There is some discussion as to whether in later years (1255, 1257, 1259, 1261) Mindaugas gave even more lands to the Order. The deeds might have been falsified by the Order;<ref name=LV-Mind /> the case for this scenario is bolstered by the fact that some of the documents mention lands that were not actually under the control of Mindaugas.<ref name=gerutis /> Whatever the case, relative peace and stability was established for about eight more years. Mindaugas used this opportunity to concentrate on expansion to the east. He strengthened his influence in ], in ], and took advantage of the collapsed ] by conquering ], a major center of commerce in the ] River basin.<ref name=LV-Mind /> He also negotiated a peace with Galicia–Volhynia, and married a daughter to ], the son of ], who would later become Grand Duke of Lithuania. Diplomatic relations with western Europe and the ] were also reinforced. In 1255, Mindaugas received permission from ] to crown his son as King of Lithuania.<ref name=MGweb /> In the domestic arena, Mindaugas strove to establish state institutions: his own ], administrative systems, a diplomatic service, and a monetary system. Silver ] (Lithuanian: ''Lietuvos ilgieji'') circulated, providing an indice of statehood.<ref name=kiaupa />
It took some time before a Bishop of Lithuania was appointed because of various conflicts of interest. The Bishop of ] appointed Vito (Lithuanian: ''Vitas''), a monk of the ], to this position, but he was not recognized by Mindaugas or accepted by the populace. The activities of Vito in Lithuania are unknown, although he is sometimes associated with Mindaugas' Cathedral.<ref name=kiaupa /> Finally, in 1254, Christian (Lithuanian: ''Kristijonas'') from the Livonian Order was appointed. Mindaugas endowed him with some lands in Samogitia, but not much is known about his activities. Historical sources do not mention any sponsorship of missionaries, education of priests, or construction of churches during that time, and Bishop Christian went back to Germany in 1259, where he died in 1271.<ref name=kiaupa /> The establishment of Mindaugas' Cathedral remains problematic, but recent archeological research found the remains of a 13th century brick building on the site of the present-day ].<ref name=MGweb /> The general assumption is that the remains are those of Mindaugas Cathedral, built to satisfy the agreement with the pope. However, as later events showed, Lithuanians were not prepared to accept Christianity, and Mindaugas' baptism had only a temporary impact on further developments.<ref name=kiaupa />


], the first bishop of Lithuania. Painting from the 17th century]]
] to the Livonian Order, marked with Mindaugas' seal. This is the only original document from Mindaugas' times surviving to this date.]]
The Livonian Order used this period to consolidate their control over Samogitian lands. They built three castles along the border: Memelburg (]), Georgenburg (]), and Doben (] in Latvia).<ref name=gerutis /> The Samogitians responded by electing Algminas as their war leader, and attacked ], as the Order had limited battlefield successes.<ref name=kiaupa /> In 1259, the Livonian Order lost the ], and in 1260, it lost the ]. The first loss encouraged a rebellion by the ]ns, and the later loss spurred the ] into an uprising against the Order.<ref name=kiaupa /> The ] lasted for 14 years. Encouraged by ], his nephew, Mindaugas broke peace with the Order. Some chronicles hint that he also returned to ], but this is disputable.<ref name=gerutis /><ref name=LV-Mind /> Nevertheless, all the diplomatic achievements made since his coronation were lost.<ref name=kiaupa />
Immediately after his coronation, Mindaugas transferred some western lands to the Livonian Order - portions of ], ], and ].<ref name=voruta /> There is some discussion as to whether in later years (1255, 1257, 1259, 1261) Mindaugas gave even more lands to the Order. The deeds might have been falsified by the Order;<ref name=LV-Mind /> the case for this scenario is bolstered by the fact that some of the documents mention lands that were not actually under the control of Mindaugas.<ref name=gerutis /> Whatever the case, relative peace and stability was established for about eight more years. Mindaugas used this opportunity to concentrate on expansion to the east. He strengthened his influence in ], in ], and took advantage of the collapsed ] by conquering ], a major center of commerce in the ] River basin.<ref name=LV-Mind /> He also negotiated a peace with Halych-Volhynia, and married a daughter to ], the son of ], who would later become Grand Duke of Lithuania. Diplomatic relations with western Europe and the ] were also reinforced. In 1255, Mindaugas received permission from ] to crown his son as King of Lithuania.<ref name=MGweb /> In the domestic arena, Mindaugas strove to establish state institutions: his own ], administrative systems, a diplomatic service, and a monetary system. Silver Lithuanian long coins (Lithuanian: ''Lietuvos ilgieji'') circulated, providing an indice of statehood.<ref name=kiaupa />


Mindaugas then formed an alliance with ] of ] and marched against the Order. Treniota led an army to ] and battled ], hoping to encourage all the conquered Baltic tribes to rise up against the Orders and unite under Lithuanian leadership. He waged successful battles, but did not manage to capture the fortified castles or spark a coalition of Baltic forces against the Order. His personal influence grew because Mindaugas was concentrating on the conquest of Rus' lands, dispatching a large army to ]. Treniota and Mindaugas began to pursue different priorities.<ref name=cd-823>{{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |access-date=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Mindaugo karalystės raida |chapter-url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=823 |language=lt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717110757/http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |archive-date=17 July 2007 }}</ref> In the midst of these events, Mindaugas' wife ] died, and Mindaugas expressed the wish to marry ]' wife.<ref name=MGweb /> Daumantas and Treniota responded to this insult by assassinating Mindaugas and two of his sons, Ruklys and Rupeikis, in 1263.<ref name=gerutis /> {{citation needed span|Lithuania lapsed into years of internal instability.|date=December 2022}}
]
The Livonian Order used this period to consolidate their control over Samogitian lands. They built three castles along the border: Memelburg (]), Georgenburg (]), and Doben (] in Latvia).<ref name=gerutis /> The Samogitians responded by electing Algminas as their war leader, and attacked ], as the Order had limited battlefield successes.<ref name=kiaupa /> In 1259, the Livonian Order lost the ], and in 1260, it lost the ]. The first loss encouraged a rebellion by the ]ns, and the later loss spurred the ] into an uprising against the Order.<ref name=kiaupa /> The ] lasted for fourteen years. Encouraged by ], his nephew, Mindaugas broke peace with the Order. Some chronicles hint that he also relapsed into ], but this is disputable.<ref name=LV-Mind /><ref name=gerutis /> Nevertheless, all the diplomatic achievements made since his coronation were lost.<ref name=kiaupa />

Mindaugas then formed an alliance with ] of ] and marched against the Order. Treniota led an army to ] and battled ], hoping to encourage all the conquered Baltic tribes to rise up against the Orders and unite under Lithuanian leadership. He waged successful battles, but did not manage to capture the fortified castles or spark a coalition of Baltic forces against the Order. His personal influence grew because Mindaugas was concentrating on the conquest of Russian lands, dispatching a large army to ]. Treniota and Mindaugas began to pursue different priorities.<ref name=cd-823>{{lt icon}} {{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |accessdate=2006-12-31 |edition= |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Mindaugo karalystės raida |chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=823}}</ref> In the midst of these events, Mindaugas' wife ] died, and Mindaugas expressed the wish to marry ]' wife.<ref name=MGweb /> Daumantas and Treniota responded to this insult by assassinating Mindaugas and two of his sons, Ruklys and Rupeikis, in 1263.<ref name=gerutis /> Lithuania lapsed into years of internal instability.


==Years after Mindaugas== ==Years after Mindaugas==

===Years of instability=== ===Years of instability===
] ] built in part by ], the assassin of Mindaugas and patron saint of Pskov<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia | last = Ivinskis | first = Zenonas | editor = Vaclovas Biržiška | encyclopedia = Lietuviškoji enciklopedija | title = Daumantai | year = 1937 | publisher = Spaudos Fondas | volume = VI | location = Kaunas | pages =177 }}</ref>]] ] ] built in part during the reign of ], one of the assassins of Mindaugas and patron saint of Pskov<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | last = Ivinskis | first = Zenonas | editor = Vaclovas Biržiška | encyclopedia = Lietuviškoji enciklopedija | title = Daumantai | year = 1937 | publisher = Spaudos Fondas | volume = VI | location = Kaunas | page =177 |language=lt}}</ref>]]
After Mindaugas' death, the state did not disintegrate and Treniota took over the title of Grand Duke. However, his power was fragile; he was challenged by Tautvilas, who had not forgotten his own claims to power. Tautvilas was also assassinated by Treniota. However, just a year later, in 1264, Treniota was killed by Mindaugas' former servants. His son ] and his brother-in-law ] from Volhynia took over the control in Lithuania. Daumantas was forced to flee to ], was baptized Timofei, ruled successfully from 1266–1299 and even became a saint.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite journal | last=Savukynas |first=Virginijus |year=2006 |month=July 6, |title=Kaip Mindaugas su Daumantu už demokratiją Rytuose kaunasi |journal=] |id=ISSN 1392-2351 |url=http://www.lrytas.lt/?id=11521855091151001591&view=4 |accessdate=2006-09-17}}</ref> In 1265 Vaišvilkas, as a Christian, reconciled with the Livonian Order and, without support from Lithuania, the rebellions among the Balts that had been fueled by Treniota began to subside.<ref name=cd-831/> In 1267 he returned to a monastic life and transferred the Grand Duchy to Shvarn. After Mindaugas' death, the state did not disintegrate and Treniota took over the title of Grand Duke. However, his power was fragile; he was challenged by Tautvilas, who had not forgotten his own claims to power. Tautvilas was also assassinated by Treniota. However, just a year later, in 1264, Treniota was killed by Mindaugas' former servants. Mindaugas' son ] and brother-in-law ] from Volhynia took over the control in Lithuania. Daumantas was forced to flee to ], was baptized Timofei, ruled successfully from 1266 to 1299 and even became a saint.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Savukynas |first=Virginijus|authorlink=Virginijus Savukynas |date=6 July 2006 |title=Kaip Mindaugas su Daumantu už demokratiją Rytuose kaunasi |journal=] |url=http://www.lrytas.lt/?id=11521855091151001591&view=4|issn=1392-2351 |access-date=2006-09-17|language=lt}}</ref> In 1265 Vaišvilkas, as a Christian, reconciled with the Livonian Order and, without support from Lithuania, the rebellions among the Balts that had been fueled by Treniota began to subside.<ref name=cd-831/> {{citation needed span|In 1267 he returned to a monastic life and transferred the Grand Duchy to Švarnas.|date=December 2022}}


Little is known about Shvarn and his rule, but historians believe he was unable to take control of all Lithuania, and ruled only over its southern portions.<ref name=LV-Sharn>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Švarnas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=25}}</ref> He died in 1269 or 1271 in ]. Little is known about Švarnas and his rule, but historians believe he was unable to take control of all Lithuania, and ruled only over its southern portions.<ref name=LV-Sharn>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Švarnas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |page=25|language=lt}}</ref> {{citation needed span|He died in 1269 or 1271 in ].|date=December 2022}}


===Reign of Traidenis=== ===Reign of Traidenis===
The circumstances surrounding the advance to power in 1269 of the next ruler, ], are not clear. From the outset his relationships with Halych-Volhynia were tense and eventually resulted in the 1274–1276 war. Traidenis was successful in battle, and his control over Black Ruthenia was strengthened.<ref name=cd-831>{{lt icon}} {{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |accessdate=2006-12-31 |edition= |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Prie Mindaugo palikimo: Treniota, Vaišvilkas, Švarnas ir Traidenis |chapterurl=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=831}}</ref> Traidenis, known for his strong anti-German attitude,<ref name=kiaupa /> was also successful in fighting with the Livonian Order. In 1270 he won the ], fought on ice near ]. However, in 1272 the Order retaliated, attacking Semigalia and building Dünaburg (]) Castle in 1273 on lands nominally controlled by Traidenis.<ref name=kiaupa /> Several years later, in 1281, Traidenis conquered Jersika Castle in the present-day ], and was able to exchange it for the Dünaburg Castle.<ref name=cd-831 /> Dünaburg remained a Lithuanian outpost until 1313. In 1279 the Order attacked Lithuanian lands, reaching as far as ], but on their way back they suffered a major defeat in the ]. The Order's master, Ernst von Rassburg, died in the battle, and the conquered ] rebelled. The Semigallians were now willing to acknowledge Lithuania's superiority and asked Traidenis for assistance.<ref name=LV-Traid>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius |coauthors=Rokas Varkauskas | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Traidenis |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=26–27}}</ref> However, Traidenis died soon afterwards, and the rebellion was not successful. The circumstances surrounding the advance to power in 1269 of the next ruler, ], are not clear. From the outset his relationships with Galicia–Volhynia were tense and eventually resulted in the 1274–1276 war. Traidenis was successful in battle, and his control over Black Ruthenia was strengthened.<ref name=cd-831>{{cite book |last=Kiaupa |first=Zigmantas |title=Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės |url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |access-date=2006-12-31 |year=2002 |publisher=Elektroninės leidybos namai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9986-9216-9-4 |chapter=Prie Mindaugo palikimo: Treniota, Vaišvilkas, Švarnas ir Traidenis |chapter-url=http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/?id=831 |language=lt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717110757/http://mkp.emokykla.lt/gimtoji/ |archive-date=17 July 2007 }}</ref> Traidenis, known for his strong anti-German attitude,<ref name=kiaupa /> was also successful in fighting with the Livonian Order. In 1270 he won the ], fought on ice near ]. However, in 1272 the Order retaliated, attacking Semigalia and building Dünaburg (]) Castle in 1273 on lands nominally controlled by Traidenis.<ref name=kiaupa /> Several years later, in 1281, Traidenis conquered ] Castle in the present-day ], and was able to exchange it for the Dünaburg Castle.<ref name=cd-831 /> Dünaburg remained a Lithuanian outpost until 1313. In 1279 the Order attacked Lithuanian lands, reaching as far as ], but on their way back they suffered a major defeat in the ]. The Order's master, Ernst von Rassburg, died in the battle, and the conquered ] rebelled. The Semigallians were now willing to acknowledge Lithuania's superiority and asked Traidenis for assistance.<ref name=LV-Traid>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius |author2=Rokas Varkauskas | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Traidenis |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |pages=26–27|language=lt}}</ref> {{citation needed span|However, Traidenis died soon afterwards, and the rebellion was not successful.|date=December 2022}}


], the symbol of a dynasty that started with ] ca. 1285 and ended with ] in 1572]]
Traidenis' reign was the longest and most stable regime during the period of unrest. After his death the Orders finalized their conquests: the conquered Baltic tribes did not rebel again and the Orders could now concentrate on Lithuania.<ref name=cd-831 /> In 1274 the ] ended, and the Teutonic Knights proceeded to conquer other Baltic tribes: the ] and ] in 1274–1277, and the ] in 1283; the Livonian Order completed its conquest of Semigalia, the last Baltic ally of Lithuania, in 1291.<ref name=kiaupa /> The Orders could now turn their full attention to Lithuania. The "buffer zone" composed of other Baltic tribes had disappeared, and Lithuania was left to battle the Orders on its own. Traidenis' reign was the longest and most stable regime during the period of unrest. After his death the Orders finalized their conquests: the conquered Baltic tribes did not rebel again and the Orders could now concentrate on Lithuania.<ref name=cd-831 /> In 1274 the ] ended, and the Teutonic Knights proceeded to conquer other Baltic tribes: the ] and ] in 1274–1277, and the ] in 1283; the Livonian Order completed its conquest of Semigalia, the last Baltic ally of Lithuania, in 1291.<ref name=kiaupa /> {{citation needed span|The Orders could now turn their full attention to Lithuania. The "buffer zone" composed of other Baltic tribes had disappeared, and Lithuania was left to battle the Orders on its own.|date=December 2022}}


], the symbol of a dynasty that started with ] ca. 1285 and ended with ] in 1572]]
===Rise of Gediminids=== ===Rise of Gediminids===
There is considerable uncertainty about the identities of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania between Traidenis' death in 1282 and ]'s assumption of power in 1295. This is in part because the two main sources for Lithuanian history in the 13th century, the ] and the ], end in the early 1290s. In 1285, one chronicle mentions ] as Grand Duke. He attacked the Bishop of ] and was severely wounded or even killed in the battle.<ref name=LV-Daum>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Daumantas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=28}}</ref> However, that is the only information about him. There is considerable uncertainty about the identities of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania between Traidenis' death in 1282 and ]' assumption of power in 1295. This is in part because the two main sources for Lithuanian history in the 13th century, the ] and the ], end in the early 1290s. In 1285, one chronicle mentions ] as Grand Duke. He attacked the Bishop of ] and was severely wounded or even killed in the battle.<ref name=LV-Daum>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Daumantas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |page=28|language=lt}}</ref> {{citation needed span|However, that is the only information about him.|date=December 2022}}


The ] dynasty began its ascent in Lithuania during this time with the emergence of its first leader, ].<ref name=LV-Butigeidis/> In 1289, leading about 8,000 troops, he attacked ]. In 1289 the Teutonic Knights built a castle in present-day ] (Tilsit) and their raids intensified. Butigeidis was the first to build strong castles along the ].<ref name=LV-Butigeidis>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Butigeidis |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=29}}</ref> He died in 1290 or 1292, and his brother ] (also known as Pukuveras) inherited the crown. Butvydas was the father of ] and probably of ]. During his short reign Butvydas tried to defend the duchy against the Teutonic Knights; he also attacked ], an ally of the knights.<ref>{{lt icon}} {{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | authorlink=Edvardas Gudavičius | coauthor=Rimantas Jasas | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Butvydas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |id=ISBN 5-420-01535-8 |pages=30}}</ref> His son, Vytenis, advanced to power in 1295 and ended the period of relative instability. His reign marks the transition from the state's establishment to the point at which it was poised for expansion. The ] dynasty began its ascent in Lithuania during this time with the emergence of its first leader, ].<ref name=LV-Butigeidis/> In 1289, leading about 8,000 troops, he attacked ]. In 1289 the Teutonic Knights built a castle in present-day ] (Tilsit) and their raids intensified. Butigeidis was the first to build strong castles along the ].<ref name=LV-Butigeidis>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Butigeidis |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |page=29|language=lt}}</ref> He died in 1290 or 1292, and his brother ] (also known as Pukuveras) inherited the crown. Butvydas was the father of ] and probably of ]. During his short reign Butvydas tried to defend the duchy against the Teutonic Knights; he also attacked ], an ally of the knights.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Edvardas |last=Gudavičius | author-link=Edvardas Gudavičius |author2=Rimantas Jasas | editor= Vytautas Spečiūnas |encyclopedia= Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas |title=Butvydas |year=2004 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01535-8 |page=30|language=lt}}</ref> {{citation needed span|His son, Vytenis, advanced to power in 1295 and ended the period of relative instability. His reign marks the transition from the state's establishment to the point at which it was poised for expansion.|date=December 2022}}


==Legacy== ==Legacy==
]]]
The state united and ruled by Mindaugas constituted the first Lithuanian state. The state effectively protected Lithuanians and Samogitians from assimilation induced by the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order, the destiny of ], ], ], ] and other Baltic tribes. Mindaugas ruled about 100,000&nbsp;] of Lithuanian ethnic territory,<ref name=EL-terr>{{cite encyclopedia | editor = Simas Sužiedėlis | encyclopedia = ] | title = Territory of Lithuania | year = 1970–1978 | publisher = Juozas Kapočius | volume = V | location = Boston, Massachusetts | id = {{LCC|74-114275}} | pages = 395–401 }}</ref> an area with an estimated population of 300,000.<ref name=vaitiekunas>{{lt icon}} {{cite book |last=Vaitiekūnas |first=Stasys |title=Lietuvos gyventojai: Per du tūkstantmečius |year=2006 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01585-4 |pages=36–58 |chapter=Gyventojai valstybės formavimosi is jos plėtros laikotarpiu}}</ref> The ] lands under his control and influence occupied another 100,000&nbsp;km².<ref name=EL-terr/> By about 1430, at its peak during the reign of ], the Grand Duchy controlled some 930,000&nbsp;km² and almost 2.5 million people.<ref name=vaitiekunas/>


] during the 13–15th centuries{{imagefact|date=December 2022}}]]
The period from 1219 to 1295 also shaped future conflicts: the ] were surrounded by the aggressive ] Orders to its north and southwest, and by adherents of the ] in the east. The Catholic Orders' raids intensified after they overcame the "buffer zone" created by Prussians, Nadruvians, Skalvians, Yotvingians, and Semigalians by 1283.<ref name=cd-812/> The Lithuanian relationships with the Orthodox Church were more peaceful. The people were allowed to practise their religion; Lithuanian dukes did not hesitate to marry daughters of Orthodox dukes; at least some of the dukes' ]s must have been Orthodox as well.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bumblauskas |first=Alfredas |authorlink=Alfredas Bumblauskas |editor=Grigorijus Potašenko |others=Axel Holvoet (translator) |title=The Peoples of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania |year=2002 |publisher=Aidai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9955-445-52-1 |pages=14–15 |chapter=The heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: perspectives of historical consciousness}}</ref> Struggles with the Teutonic Knights and expansion to the east were characteristic of the years from 1295 to 1377.<ref name=kiaupa/> It was inevitable that Lithuania could not endure religious, political, and cultural isolation forever and would have to choose either Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. In 1386, Grand Duke ] elected baptism in the Catholic rite in order to marry ] and become ]. The last pagan state in Europe was converted.<ref name=empire/>

<div style="clear: both"></div>
The state united and ruled by Mindaugas constituted the first Lithuanian state. The state effectively protected Lithuanians and Samogitians from assimilation induced by the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order, the destiny of ], ], ], ] and other Baltic tribes. Mindaugas ruled about {{convert|100000|km2|abbr=on}} of Lithuanian ethnic territory,<ref name=EL-terr>{{cite encyclopedia | editor = Simas Sužiedėlis | encyclopedia = ] | title = Territory of Lithuania | year = 1970–1978 | publisher = Juozas Kapočius | volume = V | location = Boston, Massachusetts | pages = 395–401 | lccn = 74-114275 }}</ref> an area with an estimated population of 300,000.<ref name=vaitiekunas>{{cite book |last=Vaitiekūnas |first=Stasys |title=Lietuvos gyventojai: Per du tūkstantmečius |year=2006 |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |isbn=5-420-01585-4 |pages=36–58 |chapter=Gyventojai valstybės formavimosi is jos plėtros laikotarpiu|language=lt}}</ref> The ] lands under his control and influence occupied another {{convert|100000|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=EL-terr/>{{Better source needed|reason=Such a strong information needs more reliable (and verifiable) sources.|date=July 2022}} By about 1430, at its peak during the reign of ], the Grand Duchy controlled some {{convert|930000|km2|abbr=on}} and almost 2.5 million people.<ref name=vaitiekunas/>

The period from 1219 to 1295 also shaped future conflicts: the ] were surrounded by the aggressive ] Orders to its north and southwest, and by adherents of the ] in the east. The Catholic Orders' raids intensified after they overcame the "buffer zone" created by Prussians, Nadruvians, Skalvians, Yotvingians, and Semigalians by 1283.<ref name=cd-812/> The Lithuanian relationships with the Orthodox Church were more peaceful. The people were allowed to practise their religion; Lithuanian dukes did not hesitate to marry daughters of Orthodox dukes; at least some of the dukes' ]s must have been Orthodox as well.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bumblauskas |first=Alfredas |author-link=Alfredas Bumblauskas |editor=Grigorijus Potašenko |others=Axel Holvoet (translator) |title=The Peoples of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania |year=2002 |publisher=Aidai |location=Vilnius |isbn=9955-445-52-1 |pages=14–15 |chapter=The heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: perspectives of historical consciousness}}</ref> Struggles with the Teutonic Knights and expansion to the east were characteristic of the years from 1295 to 1377.<ref name=kiaupa/> It was inevitable that Lithuania could not endure religious, political, and cultural isolation forever and would have to choose either Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. In 1386, Grand Duke ] elected baptism in the Catholic rite to marry ] and become ]; the last pagan state in Europe was converted to Christianity.<ref name=empire/>
{{clear}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
<div class="reflist4" style="height: 220px; overflow: auto; padding: 3px" >
{{reflist|2}}
</div>


==External links== ==External links==
# Gudavičius, Edvardas (1996). "". ''Lithuanian Historical Studies''. # Gudavičius, Edvardas (1996). "". ''Lithuanian Historical Studies''.
# Baranauskas, Tomas (2000). "". ''Lietuvos.net'' # Baranauskas, Tomas (2000). "". ''Lietuvos.net''
# Baranauskas, Tomas (2006). "". ''Lietuvos.net'' # Baranauskas, Tomas (2006). "". ''Lietuvos.net''



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Latest revision as of 23:16, 10 August 2024

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The history of Lithuania between 1219 and 1295 concerns the establishment and early history of the first Lithuanian state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The beginning of the 13th century marks the end of the prehistory of Lithuania. From this point on the history of Lithuania is recorded in chronicles, treaties, and other written documents. In 1219, 21 Lithuanian dukes signed a peace treaty with Galicia–Volhynia. This event is widely accepted as the first proof that the Baltic tribes were uniting and consolidating. Despite continuous warfare with two Christian orders, the Livonian Order and the Teutonic Knights, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was established and gained some control over the lands of Black Ruthenia, Polatsk, Minsk, and other territories east of modern-day Lithuania that had become weak and vulnerable after the collapse of Kievan Rus'.

The first ruler to hold the title of Grand Duke was Mindaugas. Traditionally he is considered the founder of the state, the one who united the Baltic tribes and established the Duchy. Some scholars, however, challenge this perception, arguing that an organized state existed before Mindaugas, possibly as early as 1183. After quelling an internal war with his nephews, Mindaugas was baptized in 1251, and was crowned as King of Lithuania in 1253. In 1261, he broke the peace with the Livonian Order, perhaps even renouncing Christianity. His assassination in 1263 by Treniota ended the early Christian kingdom in Lithuania. For another 120 years Lithuania would remain a pagan empire, fighting against the Teutonic and Livonian Orders during the Northern Crusades during their attempts to Christianize the land.

After Mindaugas' death, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania entered times of relative instability, as reflected by the fact that seven Grand Dukes held the title over the course of the next 32 years. Little is known about this period, but the Gediminid dynasty was founded in about 1280. Despite the instability, the Grand Duchy did not disintegrate. Vytenis assumed power in 1295, and during the next 20 years laid solid foundations for the Duchy to expand and grow under the leadership of Gediminas and his son Algirdas. While the Grand Duchy was established between 1219 and 1295, the years after 1295 marked its expansion.

Establishment of the state

Baltic unification

Map of Baltic tribes ca. 13th century. The Eastern Balts are shown in brown hues, the Western Balts in green.

The Balts were largely driven to unite by external threats from aggressive German religious orders. In 1202, the Order of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword was established by Albert, the Bishop of Riga, to promote the Christianization and conquest of the Livonians, Curonians, Semigallians, and Estonians near the Gulf of Riga. The Order waged a number of successful campaigns and posed a great danger to the Lithuanian territories. The Order's progress was halted by its defeat at the Battle of Saule in 1236, after which it almost collapsed. The following year, it merged into the Teutonic Knights.

In 1226, Konrad I of Masovia invited the Teutonic Knights to defend his borders and subdue the Prussians, offering the Knights the use of Chełmno (Kulm) as a base for their campaign. In 1230, they settled in Chełmno, built a castle, and began attacking Prussian lands. After 44 years, and despite two Prussian uprisings against them, they had conquered most of the Prussian tribes. Afterwards, the Knights spent nine years conquering the Nadruvians, Skalvians, and Yotvingians, and from 1283, they were better positioned to threaten the young Lithuanian state from the west.

Known Lithuanian military expeditions
Years To Livonia To Russia To Poland Total
1201–1210 12 5 1 18
1211–1220 7 6 2 15
1221–1230 2 3 2 7
1231–1240 - 4 1 5
1241–1250 3 9 3 15
1251–1260 - 6 3 9
1261–1263 2 2 2 6
Total 26 35 14 75

Further unification of the Lithuanian tribes was facilitated by the social changes that took place in Lithuania during this period. Private land ownership was established (allodiums, Lithuanian: atolai), which would later evolve into a feudal system. As attested by many chronicles, it was the principal form of organization governing land ownership in the 13th century. Under this system, known in England as primogeniture, only the eldest son could inherit lands, which allowed dukes to consolidate their holdings. Social classes and divisions of labor also began taking shape. There were classes of experienced soldiers (bajoras), of free peasants (laukininkas), and of "unfree" people (kaimynas and šeimynykštis). In order to enforce this social structure, a united state was needed. Another force behind unification was the desire to take advantage of Ruthenian lands, which were suffering from the Mongol invasion. Temporary alliances among Lithuanian dukes often sufficed for military ventures into, and plundering of, these lands (including Pskov, plundered in 1213). Altogether, between 1201 and 1236, Lithuanians launched at least 22 incursions into Livonia, 14 into Rus, and 4 into Poland. The ongoing administration of conquered territories, however, required a strong and unified central power.

Galicia–Volhynia Treaty

Map of territories controlled by the Livonian Order in 1260. The Order, established in 1202, posed a great danger to the Balts, which encouraged unification.

Some evidence suggests that Lithuanians began combining their forces at the dawn of the 13th century. For example, in 1207, soldiers were recruited across Lithuania to fight the German religious orders, and in 1212, Daugirutis' treaty with Novgorod shows that he exerted some degree of influence over a vast area. During the first twenty years of the 13th century, Lithuanians organized some thirty military expeditions to Livonia, Rus', and Poland. Historian Tomas Baranauskas argues that a Lithuanian state could be said to exist as early as 1183.

However, the first conclusive evidence that the Balts were uniting is considered to be the treaty with Galicia–Volhynia signed in 1219. The treaty's signatories include 21 Lithuanian dukes; it specifies that five of those were elder and thus took precedence over the remaining sixteen. Presumably, the eldest Duke was Živinbudas, since his name was mentioned first. Mindaugas, despite his youth, and his brother Dausprungas, are listed among the elder dukes. That would imply that they inherited their titles. The remaining two elder dukes were Daujotas (mentioned second) and his brother Vilikaila (mentioned last of the five).

The treaty is important for several reasons. It shows that the Lithuanian Dukes were co-operating; the signatories include Dukes who ruled lands such as Samogitia, which probably had no contact with Galicia–Volhynia. Their participation implies a perception of common interest, an indication of a nascent state. However, the designation of five Dukes as "elder" shows that the process of unification was still in transition. The inclusion of 21 Dukes indicates that the various lands in Lithuania were powerful and semi-independent. Historians consider the treaty an interesting documentation of the long and complex process of a state's formation. The progress of unification was uneven; for example, after the deaths of Dukes Daugirutis in 1213 and Stekšys in 1214, fewer raids were organized by Lithuanians.

Rise of Mindaugas

Mindaugas, the duke who governed southern Lithuania between the Neman and Neris Rivers, eventually became the founder of the state. Mindaugas is referred to as the ruler of all Lithuania in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle in 1236. The means by which he managed to acquire this title are not well known. Rus' chronicles mention that he murdered or expelled various other dukes, including his relatives.

Vykintas, the victorious leader in the Battle of Saule, as depicted in the Chronicles of Alexander Guagnini, published in 1578

In 1236, Duke Vykintas led the Samogitian forces to victory in the Battle of Saule, where the Livonian Order suffered a catastrophic defeat. It seems that Vykintas did not receive support from Mindaugas. Vykintas' personal power grew. The Livonian Order was on the brink of collapse and was forced to become a branch of the Teutonic Knights. The combined Orders focused on the conquest of Samogitia, since only this land prevented them from consolidating their territories. The union of these aggressive powers could not have passed without notice in Lithuanian lands, and might have furthered the unification process. In about 1239 Mindaugas took over the weakened Black Ruthenia and appointed his son Vaišvilkas to govern it. During the early 1240s, Mindaugas strengthened and established his power in various Baltic lands. In 1245, Mindaugas sent his nephews Tautvilas and Edivydas, the sons of Dausprungas and Vykintas, to conquer Smolensk, but they were unsuccessful. In 1249, an internal war erupted as Mindaugas sought to seize his nephews' and Vykintas' lands.

Tautvilas, Edivydas, and Vykintas formed a powerful coalition with the Samogitians, the Livonian Order, Daniel of Galicia (Tautvilas and Edivydas' brother-in-law), and Vasilko of Volhynia in opposition to Mindaugas. Only Poles, invited by Daniel, declined to take part in the coalition against the Lithuanians. The dukes of Galicia and Volhynia managed to gain control over Black Ruthenia, an area ruled by Mindaugas' son Vaišvilkas. Tautvilas traveled to Riga, where he was baptized by the Archbishop. In 1250, the Order organized two major raids, one against Nalša land and the other against the domains of Mindaugas and those parts of Samogitia that still supported him.

Šeiminyškėliai Hillfort near Anykščiai is the most probable site of Voruta

Attacked from the north and south and facing the possibility of unrest elsewhere, Mindaugas was placed in an extremely difficult position, but managed to use the conflicts between the Livonian Order and the Archbishop of Riga in his own interests. He succeeded in bribing Andreas von Stierland, the master of the Order, who was still angry at Vykintas for the defeat in 1236. In 1251, Mindaugas agreed to receive baptism and relinquish control over some lands in western Lithuania, for which he was to receive a crown in return. In 1252, Tautvilas and his remaining allies attacked Mindaugas in Voruta, sometimes considered to be the first capital of Lithuania. The attack failed and Tautvilas' forces retreated to defend themselves in Tverai Castle, in the present-day Rietavas municipality. Vykintas died in or about 1253, and Tautvilas was forced to rejoin Daniel of Galicia. Daniel reconciled with Mindaugas in 1254; the Black Ruthenian lands were transferred to Roman, the son of Daniel. Vaišvilkas, the son of Mindaugas, decided to join a monastery. Tautvilas recognized Mindaugas' superiority and received Polatsk as a fiefdom.

Kingdom of Lithuania

The only surviving Seal of Mindaugas from 1255

As promised, Mindaugas and his wife Morta were crowned at some time during the summer of 1253, and the Kingdom of Lithuania, proclaimed by the pope in 1251, was soundly established. 6 July is now celebrated as "Statehood Day" (Lithuanian: Valstybės diena); it is an official holiday in modern Lithuania. However, the exact date of the coronation is not known; the scholarship of historian Edvardas Gudavičius, who promulgated this date, is sometimes challenged. The location of the coronation also remains unknown.

Pope Innocent IV supported Mindaugas, hoping that a new Christian state could stem the inroads being made by the Golden Horde, a state of the Mongol Empire. On 17 July 1251, the pope signed two crucial papal bulls. One of them ordered the Bishop of Chełmno to crown Mindaugas as King of Lithuania, appoint a bishop for Lithuania, and to build a cathedral. The other bull specified that the new bishop was to be directly subordinate to the pope. This was a welcome development to the Lithuanians, since they were concerned that their long-standing antagonists, the Livonian Order, would exert too much control over the new state.

It took some time before a Bishop of Lithuania was appointed because of various conflicts of interest. The Bishop of Gniezno appointed Vito (Lithuanian: Vitas), a monk of the Dominican Order, to this position, but he was not recognized by Mindaugas or accepted by the populace. The activities of Vito in Lithuania are unknown, although he is sometimes associated with Mindaugas' Cathedral. Finally, in 1254, Christian (Lithuanian: Kristijonas) from the Livonian Order was appointed. Mindaugas endowed him with some lands in Samogitia, but not much is known about his activities. Historical sources do not mention any sponsorship of missionaries, education of priests, or construction of churches during that time, and Bishop Christian went back to Germany in 1259, where he died in 1271. The establishment of Mindaugas' Cathedral remains problematic, but recent archeological research found the remains of a 13th-century brick building on the site of the present-day Vilnius Cathedral. The general assumption is that the remains are those of Mindaugas Cathedral, built to satisfy the agreement with the pope. However, as later events showed, Lithuanians resisted Christianization, and Mindaugas' baptism had only a temporary impact on further developments.

Immediately after his coronation, Mindaugas transferred some western lands to the Livonian Order – portions of Samogitia, Nadruva, and Dainava. There is some discussion as to whether in later years (1255, 1257, 1259, 1261) Mindaugas gave even more lands to the Order. The deeds might have been falsified by the Order; the case for this scenario is bolstered by the fact that some of the documents mention lands that were not actually under the control of Mindaugas. Whatever the case, relative peace and stability was established for about eight more years. Mindaugas used this opportunity to concentrate on expansion to the east. He strengthened his influence in Black Ruthenia, in Pinsk, and took advantage of the collapsed Kievan Rus' by conquering Polatsk, a major center of commerce in the Daugava River basin. He also negotiated a peace with Galicia–Volhynia, and married a daughter to Svarn, the son of Daniel of Galicia, who would later become Grand Duke of Lithuania. Diplomatic relations with western Europe and the Holy See were also reinforced. In 1255, Mindaugas received permission from Pope Alexander IV to crown his son as King of Lithuania. In the domestic arena, Mindaugas strove to establish state institutions: his own noble court, administrative systems, a diplomatic service, and a monetary system. Silver Lithuanian long currency (Lithuanian: Lietuvos ilgieji) circulated, providing an indice of statehood.

Vitas, the first bishop of Lithuania. Painting from the 17th century

The Livonian Order used this period to consolidate their control over Samogitian lands. They built three castles along the border: Memelburg (Klaipėda), Georgenburg (Jurbarkas), and Doben (Durbe in Latvia). The Samogitians responded by electing Algminas as their war leader, and attacked Courland, as the Order had limited battlefield successes. In 1259, the Livonian Order lost the Battle of Skuodas, and in 1260, it lost the Battle of Durbe. The first loss encouraged a rebellion by the Semigalians, and the later loss spurred the Prussians into an uprising against the Order. The Great Prussian Uprising lasted for 14 years. Encouraged by Treniota, his nephew, Mindaugas broke peace with the Order. Some chronicles hint that he also returned to his former pagan beliefs, but this is disputable. Nevertheless, all the diplomatic achievements made since his coronation were lost.

Mindaugas then formed an alliance with Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod and marched against the Order. Treniota led an army to Cēsis and battled Masovia, hoping to encourage all the conquered Baltic tribes to rise up against the Orders and unite under Lithuanian leadership. He waged successful battles, but did not manage to capture the fortified castles or spark a coalition of Baltic forces against the Order. His personal influence grew because Mindaugas was concentrating on the conquest of Rus' lands, dispatching a large army to Bryansk. Treniota and Mindaugas began to pursue different priorities. In the midst of these events, Mindaugas' wife Morta died, and Mindaugas expressed the wish to marry Daumantas' wife. Daumantas and Treniota responded to this insult by assassinating Mindaugas and two of his sons, Ruklys and Rupeikis, in 1263. Lithuania lapsed into years of internal instability.

Years after Mindaugas

Years of instability

Walls of Pskov kremlin built in part during the reign of Daumantas, one of the assassins of Mindaugas and patron saint of Pskov

After Mindaugas' death, the state did not disintegrate and Treniota took over the title of Grand Duke. However, his power was fragile; he was challenged by Tautvilas, who had not forgotten his own claims to power. Tautvilas was also assassinated by Treniota. However, just a year later, in 1264, Treniota was killed by Mindaugas' former servants. Mindaugas' son Vaišvilkas and brother-in-law Švarnas from Volhynia took over the control in Lithuania. Daumantas was forced to flee to Pskov, was baptized Timofei, ruled successfully from 1266 to 1299 and even became a saint. In 1265 Vaišvilkas, as a Christian, reconciled with the Livonian Order and, without support from Lithuania, the rebellions among the Balts that had been fueled by Treniota began to subside. In 1267 he returned to a monastic life and transferred the Grand Duchy to Švarnas.

Little is known about Švarnas and his rule, but historians believe he was unable to take control of all Lithuania, and ruled only over its southern portions. He died in 1269 or 1271 in Galicia.

Reign of Traidenis

The circumstances surrounding the advance to power in 1269 of the next ruler, Traidenis, are not clear. From the outset his relationships with Galicia–Volhynia were tense and eventually resulted in the 1274–1276 war. Traidenis was successful in battle, and his control over Black Ruthenia was strengthened. Traidenis, known for his strong anti-German attitude, was also successful in fighting with the Livonian Order. In 1270 he won the Battle of Karuse, fought on ice near Saaremaa. However, in 1272 the Order retaliated, attacking Semigalia and building Dünaburg (Daugavpils) Castle in 1273 on lands nominally controlled by Traidenis. Several years later, in 1281, Traidenis conquered Jersika Castle in the present-day Preiļi District, and was able to exchange it for the Dünaburg Castle. Dünaburg remained a Lithuanian outpost until 1313. In 1279 the Order attacked Lithuanian lands, reaching as far as Kernavė, but on their way back they suffered a major defeat in the Battle of Aizkraukle. The Order's master, Ernst von Rassburg, died in the battle, and the conquered Semigallians rebelled. The Semigallians were now willing to acknowledge Lithuania's superiority and asked Traidenis for assistance. However, Traidenis died soon afterwards, and the rebellion was not successful.

Columns of Gediminids, the symbol of a dynasty that started with Butigeidis ca. 1285 and ended with Sigismund II Augustus in 1572

Traidenis' reign was the longest and most stable regime during the period of unrest. After his death the Orders finalized their conquests: the conquered Baltic tribes did not rebel again and the Orders could now concentrate on Lithuania. In 1274 the Great Prussian Rebellion ended, and the Teutonic Knights proceeded to conquer other Baltic tribes: the Nadruvians and Skalvians in 1274–1277, and the Yotvingians in 1283; the Livonian Order completed its conquest of Semigalia, the last Baltic ally of Lithuania, in 1291. The Orders could now turn their full attention to Lithuania. The "buffer zone" composed of other Baltic tribes had disappeared, and Lithuania was left to battle the Orders on its own.

Rise of Gediminids

There is considerable uncertainty about the identities of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania between Traidenis' death in 1282 and Vytenis' assumption of power in 1295. This is in part because the two main sources for Lithuanian history in the 13th century, the Hypatian Codex and the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle, end in the early 1290s. In 1285, one chronicle mentions Daumantas as Grand Duke. He attacked the Bishop of Tver and was severely wounded or even killed in the battle. However, that is the only information about him.

The Gediminid dynasty began its ascent in Lithuania during this time with the emergence of its first leader, Butigeidis. In 1289, leading about 8,000 troops, he attacked Sambia. In 1289 the Teutonic Knights built a castle in present-day Sovetsk (Tilsit) and their raids intensified. Butigeidis was the first to build strong castles along the Neman River. He died in 1290 or 1292, and his brother Butvydas (also known as Pukuveras) inherited the crown. Butvydas was the father of Vytenis and probably of Gediminas. During his short reign Butvydas tried to defend the duchy against the Teutonic Knights; he also attacked Masovia, an ally of the knights. His son, Vytenis, advanced to power in 1295 and ended the period of relative instability. His reign marks the transition from the state's establishment to the point at which it was poised for expansion.

Legacy

Map of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the 13–15th centuries

The state united and ruled by Mindaugas constituted the first Lithuanian state. The state effectively protected Lithuanians and Samogitians from assimilation induced by the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order, the destiny of Prussians, Skalvians, Curonians, Selonians and other Baltic tribes. Mindaugas ruled about 100,000 km (39,000 sq mi) of Lithuanian ethnic territory, an area with an estimated population of 300,000. The Slavic lands under his control and influence occupied another 100,000 km (39,000 sq mi). By about 1430, at its peak during the reign of Vytautas the Great, the Grand Duchy controlled some 930,000 km (360,000 sq mi) and almost 2.5 million people.

The period from 1219 to 1295 also shaped future conflicts: the pagan Lithuanians were surrounded by the aggressive Roman Catholic Orders to its north and southwest, and by adherents of the Orthodox Church in the east. The Catholic Orders' raids intensified after they overcame the "buffer zone" created by Prussians, Nadruvians, Skalvians, Yotvingians, and Semigalians by 1283. The Lithuanian relationships with the Orthodox Church were more peaceful. The people were allowed to practise their religion; Lithuanian dukes did not hesitate to marry daughters of Orthodox dukes; at least some of the dukes' scribes must have been Orthodox as well. Struggles with the Teutonic Knights and expansion to the east were characteristic of the years from 1295 to 1377. It was inevitable that Lithuania could not endure religious, political, and cultural isolation forever and would have to choose either Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. In 1386, Grand Duke Jogaila elected baptism in the Catholic rite to marry Jadwiga of Poland and become King of Poland; the last pagan state in Europe was converted to Christianity.

References

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  2. Simas Sužiedėlis, ed. (1970–1978). "Mindaugas". Encyclopedia Lituanica. Vol. III. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. p. 538. LCCN 74-114275.
  3. ^ Baranauskas, Tomas (23 March 2003). "Mindaugo karūnavimo ir Lietuvos karalystės problemos". Voruta (in Lithuanian). 6 (504). ISSN 1392-0677. Archived from the original on 26 October 2005. Retrieved 17 September 2006.
  4. ^ Rowell, C. S. (24 June 1994). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-central Europe, 1295–1345. Cambridge University Press. pp. 302–304. ISBN 0-521-45011-X. Retrieved 2 January 2007.
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  12. Kiaupa, Zigmantas (2002). "Mindaugas – valstybės statytojas". Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Elektroninės leidybos namai. ISBN 9986-9216-9-4. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2006.
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  17. Savukynas, Virginijus (6 July 2006). "Kaip Mindaugas su Daumantu už demokratiją Rytuose kaunasi". Lietuvos rytas (in Lithuanian). ISSN 1392-2351. Retrieved 17 September 2006.
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  20. Gudavičius, Edvardas; Rokas Varkauskas (2004). "Traidenis". In Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.). Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. pp. 26–27. ISBN 5-420-01535-8.
  21. Gudavičius, Edvardas (2004). "Daumantas". In Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.). Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 28. ISBN 5-420-01535-8.
  22. ^ Gudavičius, Edvardas (2004). "Butigeidis". In Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.). Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 29. ISBN 5-420-01535-8.
  23. Gudavičius, Edvardas; Rimantas Jasas (2004). "Butvydas". In Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.). Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 30. ISBN 5-420-01535-8.
  24. ^ Simas Sužiedėlis, ed. (1970–1978). "Territory of Lithuania". Encyclopedia Lituanica. Vol. V. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 395–401. LCCN 74-114275.
  25. ^ Vaitiekūnas, Stasys (2006). "Gyventojai valstybės formavimosi is jos plėtros laikotarpiu". Lietuvos gyventojai: Per du tūkstantmečius (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. pp. 36–58. ISBN 5-420-01585-4.
  26. Bumblauskas, Alfredas (2002). "The heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: perspectives of historical consciousness". In Grigorijus Potašenko (ed.). The Peoples of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Axel Holvoet (translator). Vilnius: Aidai. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9955-445-52-1.

External links

  1. Gudavičius, Edvardas (1996). "Following the Tracks of a Myth". Lithuanian Historical Studies.
  2. Baranauskas, Tomas (2000). "The Formation of the Lithuanian State". Lietuvos.net
  3. Baranauskas, Tomas (2006). "Chronology: High Middle Ages (1183–1283)". Lietuvos.net
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