Kęstutis
Kęstutis (approximate English transcription: [kæs.ˈtu.tıs]; simplified Lithuanian transcription : [kæstutis]; known in Polish as Kiejstut, and in Belarusian as Кейстут; Alexander; born 1297, assassinated August 3 or August 15, 1382, at Kreva) was monarch of medieval Lithuania. He ruled the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1381–82, with his brother Algirdas (until 1377); and was Prince of Trakai. He ruled over the Lithuanians and Ruthenians.
The name "Kęstutis" is a suffixed -utis- derivative from old form of name Kęstas or similar, which is shorten version of double theme Lithuanian names such as Kęstaras, Kęstautas (there kęs-ti means to cope). Historic writing sources reflect different Lithuanian pronunciation.[1]
Life
Kęstutis was the son of the Grand Duke Gediminas. His younger brother, Jaunutis, succeeded his father as Grand Duke of Lithuania. Together with his brother Algirdas, Kestutis conspired to remove Jaunutis from power. They were successful in their efforts. They divided their holdings into an eastern and western sphere of influence. Kęstutis' efforts were concentrated in the west, while Algirdas' were concentrated in the eastern part of these territories. Kęstutis organized the defence of western Lithuania and Samogitia against the Teutonic Knights, and organized raids against the German Order. Some historians claim, that this rule by two brothers has no precedent in European history. Kęstutis is sometimes credited (by the Teutonic Order) as being the last pagan with the nobility of a Knight.
Kęstutis employed different military as well as diplomatic means in his struggle on the western borders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In order to avoid the further clashes with the Teutonic Order, in 1349, as Lithuanian co-ruler, he started the negotiations with Pope Clement VI for the Christianization of Lithuania and had been promised royal crowns for him and his sons. Algirdas willingly remained aside of the business and was concerned with the order in the Ruthenian part of the state. The intermediary in the negotiations, Polish King Casimir III, made an unexpected assault on Volhynia and Brest in October 1349 that ruined the Kęstutis' plan. During the Polish-Lithuanian war for Volhynia, King Louis I of Hungary made a peace agreement with Kęstutis on 15 August 1351, according to which Kęstutis obliged himself to accept Christianity and provide the Kingdom of Hungary with military aid, in exchange of the royal crown. The agreement was approved with a pagan ritual by Kęstutis in order to convince the other side. In fact, Kęstutis had no intentions to comply with the agreement and ran away on their road to Buda.[2]
In 1382 Jogaila, son of Algirdas and nephew of Kęstutis took control of Vilnius and then Trakai. Kęstutis with his son Vytautas arrived at Trakai with an army. They were to hold negotiations at the camp of Jogaila, but instead were taken prisoner there. Kęstutis was subsequently murdered at Kreva Castle.His son Vytautas the Great was able to escape.
Parents
- Gediminas (Gediminas; ca 1275 – winter 1341 under Veliuona), Grand Duke of Lithuania, King of Lithuanians and Ruthenians 1316 – 1341
- Jewna, daughter of Prince Ivan of Polotsk (? – 1344)
Wives
Brothers
- Algirdas (ca 1300 – end of May 1377), Grand Duke of Lithuania 1345 – 1377
- Manvydas (ca 1300 – 1348), Prince of Kernavė and Slonim 1341 – 1348
- Narimantas (Gleb; ca 1300 – 2 February 1348), Prince of Pinsk 13?? – 1348, Polock 1338-1348, Novgorod 1333-1348
- Jaunutis (Iwan; ca 1300 – after 1366), Grand Duke of Lithuania 1341 – 1345, Prince of Izjaslawl 1346 – 1366
- Karijotas (Michal; ca 1300 – ca 1362), Prince of Nowohorodok 1341 – 1362
- Liubartas (Dymitr; ca 1300 – 1384), Wlodzimierz, Luck 1340 – 138?, Volynia 1340 – 1349, 1350 – 1366, 1371 – 1383, King of Galicia (independent kingdom 1253 – 1349) 1340 – 1349
Sisters
- Maria (ca 1300 – 1349), Princess of Lithuania
- Aldona (Anna; after 1309 – 26 May 1339), Princess of Lithuania, Queen of Poland 1333 – 1339
- Damilla (Elzbieta; 14th century – 1364), Princess of Plock
- Eufemia (14th century – 5 February 1342), Princess of Halicz and Włodzimierz-Halicz
- Augusta (Anastazja; 14th century – 11 March 1345), Grand Princess of Vladimir-Moscow
Sons
- Patirg (1348 - 1365)
- Vaidotas (+ after 1362), Prince of Black Ruthenia 1347 - 13??
- Vaišvilas (+ ca 1387)
- Butautas (Henryk; + after 1381), baptized Królewiec 25 July 1365, Prince of Black Ruthenia 13?? - 1381
- Vytautas the Great (* 1344/1350, + 27 October 1430 Lutsk), baptized (cath) 21 October 1383 as Wiganda, (orth) 1384 as Alexander; Grand Duke of Lithuania 1392 - 1430
- Tautvilas (Conrad; + September 1390), baptized 21 October 1383, Prince of Black Ruthenia 1386 - 1390
- Žygimantas Kęstutaitis (* after 1350, + murdered 20 March 1440), baptized (cath) 1383, Prince of Trakai, Prince of Mozhaisk 1383, Prince of Starodub 1406, Prince of Black Ruthenia 1390 - 1440, Grand Duke of Lithuania 1 September 1432 - 1440
-
- see also his descent [3] to the present day. Chief heirs of his, through his son Vytautas, continue through Semjon Olelkovich of Sluck and include a number of branches of the House of Radvila/Radziwill.
Daughters
- Mikova (Maria; + 1404), Grand Princess of Tver 1375 - 1404?
- Danuta (Anna; 1362 - 25 May 1448), Princess of Warsaw shortly before 27 September 1376 - 8 December 1429
- Rymgajla (Elisabeth; + 1433), Princess of Masovia 4 February - 30 June 1392, Voivodess of Moldau 1419 - 1421
See also
References
- ^ Zinkevičius, Zigmas (2007). Senosios Lietuvos valstybės vardynas. Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing Institute, p.51. ISBN 5420016060.
- ^ (Lithuanian) Kęstutis: was he a proponent or oponent of the [[[Christianization]] , accessed on 01-07-2007
- ^ Descendants of Kęstutis at Genealogics
| Preceded by Jogaila |
Grand Duke of
Lithuania 1381-1382 |
Succeeded by Jogaila |
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