Kęstutis (Belarusian: Кейстут; Lithuanian pronunciation: [kæsˈtuːtɪs]; born ca. 1297, died on August 3 or August 15, 1382 in Kreva) was monarch of medieval Lithuania. He was the Prince of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–82, together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila (until 1381). He ruled over the Lithuanians and Ruthenians.
The name "Kęstutis" is a derivative from the old form of the name Kęstas, which is a shortened version of such Lithuanian names 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. The Duchy of Trakai was established in 1337 as a result. 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 1349, to avoid further clashes with the Teutonic Order, he started negotiations with Pope Clement VI for the Christianization of Lithuania, receiving promises for 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 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]
Kęstutis was perceived not only as a rival but also as a Knight by the German Order, and it was considered an honor to shake hands with him, although, the Duke did not reach his hand to everyone[3].
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.
See also
- House of Kęstutis – family tree of Kęstutis
- Gediminids
References
- ^ Zinkevičius, Zigmas (2007). Senosios Lietuvos valstybės vardynas. Science and Encyclopaedia Publishing Institute. p. 51. ISBN 5420016060.
- ^ (Lithuanian) Kęstutis: krikšto priešininkas ar šalininkas? (Kęstutis: was he a proponent or opponent of the Christianization), in Kultūros barai, 2006, 6. accessed on 01-07-2007
- ^ Gudavičius, Edvardas (1999). Lietuvos istorija. Vilnius. p. 188. ISBN 9986-39-112-1.
| Preceded by Jogaila |
Grand Duke of Lithuania 1381-1382 |
Succeeded by Jogaila |
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