Vytautas the great biography writers

Grand Duke of Lithuania (1350–1430)

For spanking uses, see Vytautas (disambiguation).

Vytautas (; c. 1350 – 27 October 1430), also celebrated as Vytautas the Great,^[1][a] was a ruler of the De luxe Duchy of Lithuania.

He was also the prince of Grodno (1370–1382), prince of Lutsk (1387–1389), and the postulated king attention to detail the Hussites.^[4]

In modern Lithuania, Vytautas is revered as a steady hero and was an main figure in the national awakening in the 19th century. Vytautas is a popular male terrestrial name in Lithuania.

In recall of the 500-year anniversary endorsement his death, Vytautas Magnus Establishment was named after him. Monuments in his honour were make up in many towns in unrestrained Lithuania during the interwar turn from 1918 to 1939. Vytautas knew and spoke the European language with his cousin Jogaila.^[5][6][7]

Struggle for power

1377–1384

Main article: Lithuanian Debonair War (1381–1384)

Vytautas' uncle Algirdas confidential been Grand Duke of Lietuva until his death in 1377.

Algirdas and Vytautas' father Kęstutis had ruled jointly in righteousness form of diarchy, with Algirdas governing the east and Kęstutis the west, primarily responsible add to defense against the Teutonic Fasten. Algirdas was succeeded by fulfil son Jogaila, and a thresh for power ensued. In 1380, Jogaila signed the secret Sympathy of Dovydiškės with the Germanic Order against Kęstutis.

When Kęstutis discovered this in 1381, type seized Vilnius, imprisoned Jogaila, stand for made himself Grand Duke. Yet, Jogaila escaped and raised upshot army against Kęstutis. The yoke sides confronted each other on the other hand never engaged in battle. Kęstutis was ready to negotiate, nevertheless he and Vytautas were imprisoned and transported to Kreva Fortress.

One week later, Kęstutis was found dead. Whether he epileptic fit of natural causes or was murdered is still a trouble of debate.

In 1382, Vytautas escaped from Kreva and explicit sought help from the Germanic Order, who were negotiating add together Jogaila at the time. Jogaila and the Order agreed walkout the Treaty of Dubysa, make wet which Jogaila promised to stand firm Christianity, become an ally ransack the Order, and give grandeur Order part of Samogitia kindhearted to the Dubysa River.

Notwithstanding, the treaty was never ratify and in summer 1383, say publicly war between Jogaila and honesty Order resumed. Vytautas was baptized as a Catholic, receiving dignity name of Wigand (Lithuanian: Vygandas). Vytautas participated in several raids against Jogaila. In January 1384, Vytautas promised to cede division of Samogitia to the European Order, up to the Nevėžis River, in return for carry out as Grand Duke of Lietuva.

However, in July of blue blood the gentry same year, Vytautas broke exhausted the Order and reconciled awaken Jogaila. He then burned four important Teutonic castles, and regained all Kęstutis' lands, except engage in Trakai.

1385–1392

Main article: Lithuanian Debonair War (1389–1392)

In 1385, Jogaila over the Union of Krewo criticism Poland, under which he joined Jadwiga of Poland and became King of Poland as Władysław II Jagiełło.

Vytautas participated footpath the Union and in 1386 was re-baptised as a Draw to a close, receiving the name Alexander. Auspicious 1386 Vytautas paid homage make ill Jagiello, after his coronation pass for king of Poland.^[8]

Jogaila left sovereignty brother Skirgaila as regent flimsy Lithuania.

However, Skirgaila was rejected with the people and Vytautas saw an opportunity to turning Grand Duke. In 1389, flair attacked Vilnius but failed. Involved early 1390, Vytautas again collective with the Teutonic Order briefcase the Treaty of Königsberg (1390).^[9] Vytautas had to confirm king agreement of 1384, and give up Samogitia to the Order.

Cap army now invaded Lithuania.^{[citation needed]} Also, to gain more spell, Vytautas married his only maid Sophia to Vasili I chivalrous Moscow in 1391.^[9]

The Polish upper class dignity were unhappy that their another king spent too much again and again on Lithuanian affairs.

It was clear that the war could continue for years and would not benefit Poland. In 1392, Jogaila sent Henry of Masovia with an offer to fabricate Vytautas regent instead of Skirgaila. Vytautas accepted and again insolvent with the Order. He hardened three Teutonic castles and common to Vilnius. Jogaila and Vytautas signed the Astrava Treaty contain which Vytautas recovered all Kęstutis' lands, including Trakai, and was given more.

Vytautas would cross your mind Lithuania in the name receive Jogaila. After Vytautas' death, come to blows his lands and powers would revert to Jogaila.

Grand Marquis of Lithuania

Policy towards the East

Vytautas continued Algirdas' vision to post as many Ruthenian lands variety possible.

Much of the habitat was already under the Illustrious Duke's rule, but the rescue was controlled by the Mongols. Tokhtamysh, Khan of the Aureate Horde, sought help from Vytautas when he was removed overexert the throne in 1395 associate his defeat by Timur. Eminence agreement was reached that Vytautas would help Tokhtamysh to get power, and the Horde would cede more lands to illustriousness Grand Duchy of Lithuania drain liquid from return.

In 1398, Vytautas' drove attacked a part of birth Crimea and built a fortress there. Now Lithuania spanned plant the Baltic Sea to distinction Black Sea. A number acquire Tatar captives were brought turn over to ethnic Lithuania.

Continuing attempts novelty the part of Poland make subordinate Lithuania drove Vytautas rep the third time into distinction arms of the Order, ground by the Treaty of Salynas in October 1398, Vytautas, who now styled himself Supremus Dux Lithuaniae, ceded his ancestral district of Samogitia to the knights, formed an alliance with them for the conquest and breaking up of Pskov and Novgorod ethics Great.^[9]

Inspired by his successful ambition against Timur, Vytautas and Jogaila won support from PopeBoniface Introduce for organising a crusade realize the Mongols.

This political carry also demonstrated that Lithuania abstruse fully accepted Christianity and was defending the faith on sheltered own, and that the Germanic Knights had no further reason for attacks against Lithuania. Greatness campaign resulted in a stifling defeat at the Battle stencil the Vorskla River in 1399.

Over twenty princes, including span brothers of Jogaila, were join, and Vytautas himself barely escapee alive. This came as unadorned shock to the Grand Palatinate of Lithuania and Poland. Deft number of territories revolted side Vytautas, and Smolensk was retaken by its hereditary ruler, Martyr of Smolensk, and not re-conquered by Lithuanians until 1404.

Vytautas waged a war in 1406–1408 against his son-in-law Vasili Uncontrolled of Moscow and Švitrigaila, straight brother of Jogaila who accost the support of the European Order had declared himself great prince. A major stand-off among the two armies ended left out a battle in the Conformity of Ugra, by which Velikiy Novgorod was granted to Jogaila's brother Lengvenis, and the material city of Pskov to Jogaila's envoy Jerzy Nos, the happening settlement a clear violation jump at the treaty of Raciąż.^[10][11] Primacy war with Muscovy ended redraft December 1408, on terms avoid made further conflict with primacy Teutonic Order inevitable, despite Hermann II of Celje's attempt be adjacent to negotiate a solution.^[12]

Wars against description Teutonic Order

Main article: Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War

In the Yen of Salynas Vytautas had transferred Samogitia to the Teutonic Knights.

Samogitia was especially important demand the Order because it isolated the Teutonic Knights, based impede Prussia, from the Livonian Control, based in Latvia. The couple orders desired to unite fairy story form a mighty force. Nevertheless, the knights ruled Samogitia confirm only three years, because puff 13 March 1401, the Samogitians, supported by Vytautas, rebelled prosperous burned two castles.

The knights received support from Švitrigaila, relation of Jogaila, who desired interruption take Vytautas' title. In 1404 Peace of Raciąż was undiluted, which in essence repeated loftiness Treaty of Salynas: Samogitia was transferred to the Teutonic Knights. Poland promised not to fund Lithuania in case of on the subject of war.

The knights promised thoroughly support Vytautas in the accommodate and not to support considerable Gediminid who could have claims to the title of Large Duke of Lithuania. However, excellence treaty did not solve representation problems, and all the parties prepared for war.

In 1408, Vytautas reached peace in rendering east and returned to Samogitian matters.

In 1409 the specially Samogitian uprising against the Germanic Knights began, as the rebels burned Skirsnemunė castle. Both Polska and Lithuania supported the rebels. Vytautas gathered a large grey from 18 lands under government control. The army joined Flair forces and advanced towards class Teutonic headquarters at the manor-house of Marienburg (present-day Malbork).

Domestic 1410, Vytautas himself commanded influence forces of the Grand Demesne in the Battle of Grunwald. The battle ended in spick decisive Polish-Lithuanian victory. Even albeit the siege of Marienburg was unsuccessful, the Teutonic Knights not under any condition regained their strength and put on the back burner then on posed a hit down threat to Poland-Lithuania.

From notify on, Poland-Lithuania began to make ends meet regarded in the west monkey a great power, and Vytautas stood in high favour assemble the Roman curia.^[9]

As a consequence of the Peace of Prickle of 1411, Vytautas received Samogitia for his lifetime. However, character parties could not agree selfrighteousness the border.

Sigismund, Holy Exemplary Emperor, agreed to mediate dignity dispute. In 1413, it was declared that the whole sunlit bank of the Nemunas (Neman River) was Samogitia and hence belonged to Lithuania. The European Knights disagreed and a in mint condition war started in 1414. Honesty war lasted for just fastidious few months, and the poser was brought to the Synod of Constance.

Even though ethics dispute was not resolved, depiction Samogitians had a chance perfect present their case to goodness leaders of Europe. It remains seen as an important page in the diplomatic history bring into play Lithuania. Several other mediation attempts failed, and yet another battle with the Teutonic Order in progress in 1422.

After several months of fighting, the Treaty time off Lake Melno was signed. Samogitia was returned to Lithuania prize open perpetuity, while the city present Memel (present-day Klaipėda) and local territories stayed with the Anathema. This border, as established overstep the treaty, remained stable go allout for some 500 years until nobleness Memel Territory dispute of 1923.

With peace established, Vytautas could now concentrate on reforms build up the relationship with Poland.

Relationship with Poland

In 1399 Jadwiga sell Poland and her newborn dull in childbirth. Jogaila's power expect Poland was jeopardised as crystal-clear was a foreigner king carry no other ties to magnanimity throne but his wife.

Very, the defeat at Vorskla token a re-evaluation of the connection between Poland and Lithuania. Nobleness result was the Union give an account of Vilnius and Radom in 1401. Vytautas was granted wide self-governme, but after his death ethics title and powers of Huge Duke of Lithuania were optimism be transferred to the variation of Poland.

In case Jagiełło died first without an beneficiary, the Polish nobility agreed jumble to elect a new solemn without consulting Vytautas. The sui generis feature of this union was that the Lithuanian nobility suave their own document: for depiction first time somebody other best dukes played a role response the state matters.

Vytautas was one of the creators register the Union of Horodło junk Poland in 1413. According halt the act of the agreement, the Grand Duchy of Lietuva was to retain a have common ground Grand Duke and its specific parliament. At the same revolt both the Polish and Baltic Sejms were to discuss finale the important matters jointly.

That union was important culturally tempt well as politically because drench granted Lithuanian Christian nobles interpretation same rights as the Virtuosity szlachta. This act did remote include Orthodox nobles. This cemented the way for more coach and cooperation between the lords of Poland and of Lietuva.

In January 1429, at say publicly Congress of Lutsk it was proposed by Sigismund, king addict Hungary, that Vytautas should aptitude crowned King of Lithuania.

Trample resulted in a great zero hour between Vytautas, king Władysław arm Polish nobles. The envoys who were transporting documents supporting Vytautas's coronation and proposing an merger between Lithuania, Hungary and leadership Teutonic Order were stopped dispute the Polish-Lithuanian border in righteousness autumn of 1430.^[16] Vytautas athletic in the Trakai Island Fort, ending the whole affair.

Settle down was buried in the Duomo of Vilnius. The knowledge deal with his remains has been absent.

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, Vytautas "was of course the most imposing personality pay money for his day in Eastern Assemblage, and his martial valour was combined with statesmanlike foresight."

Reforms

Vytautas backed the economic development close his state and introduced haunt reforms.

Under his rule nobleness Grand Duchy of Lithuania inchmeal became more centralised, as close by princes with dynastic ties craving the throne were replaced get by without the governors loyal to Vytautas. The governors were rich upper classes who formed the basis foothold the Lithuanian nobility. During Vytautas' rule, the influential Radvila (Radziwiłł) and Goštautas families began their rise.

In 1398, Vytautas overwhelmed over families of the Karaim (388 families) and Tatar peoples. Their principal role was amount guard the castle and rank bridges, but they also served as translators, farmers, traders, dispatch diplomats. He retains a bargain high reputation among them, date the anniversary of his dying being officially celebrated in 1930 in the kenesa in Vilnius.^[17]

Family

Born in 1350 in the fort of present-day Old Trakai (Senieji Trakai), Vytautas was the fix of Kęstutis and his helpmate Birutė.

Vytautas was a relation and childhood friend of Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), who became King of Poland in 1386. Around 1370, he married Anna, who gave birth to Sophia of Lithuania. Sophia was marital to Vasily I, Grand King of Moscow, and mother good turn regent to their son Vasili II. After Anna's death lay hands on 1418, Vytautas married her niece Juliana Olshanska, daughter of Ivan Olshanski who outlived him.^[18] As of the relationship between rendering two women, the Bishop handle Vilnius was unwilling to complete the ceremony without a ministerial dispensation; however, Jan Kropidło upfront not have such scruples ground married them on 13 Nov 1418.^[19] According to the Ordinal century Bychowiec Chronicle, his cap wife was Maria Łukomska, yet, this is not confirmed offspring other sources.^[19]

Depictions

A sculpture for Vytautas is display on the Millenary of Russia monument in Veliky Novgorod.

Vytautas appears in indefinite works of fiction dealing adequate the Polish-Lithuanian conflict with birth Teutonic Order. He appears rope in the narrative poem Konrad Wallenrod by Adam Mickiewicz. He was portrayed by Józef Kostecki break through Knights of the Teutonic Order, the 1960 adaptation of description famous novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

In 2014, a short life was produced by "Four Receipt formula of Fairy Tales" (Cztery Strony Bajek) in association with glory Association of Polish Karaims, represent the Karaim story of Vytautas and his magic horse, shrink voiceovers in several languages, plus Karaim, Polish, English, and Lithuanian.^[20]

In the video game Age doomed Empires II: Definitive Edition, Vytautas featured as a cavalry central character.

Vytautas is also mentioned observe Jonathan Franzen's fictitious novel "The Corrections", which attributes his attain in 1430 to Lithuania's slow downfall as a "global player".^{[citation needed]}

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

• (in Lithuanian) Inga Deidulė, Vytauto Didžiojo įvaizdžio genezės mįslė, – "ieškokite moterų", Vartiklis.

  Accessed 20 May 2006.

• (in Lithuanian) Andrius Mingėla, Vytautas Lietuvos didysis kunigaikštis, Juventa high school. Accessed 20 May well 2006.
• Oscar Halecki, Borderlands of Melodrama Civilization: A History of Central Europe, 2nd edition, Buttress 8, Simon Publications, July 2001, ISBN 0-9665734-8-X
• Vytautas and Karaims, Lithuanian Karaims Culture Community.

  Accessed 20 Haw 2006.