Special Sub-Topic: Lithuanian Grand Dukes: I Click Here To Play: Lithuanian Grand Dukes: I

Roughly when did Mindaugas unite Lithuania?

1240. Mindaugas united Lithuania into a big territory in about 1240. Before that, Lithuania had consisted of many tribes and territories.

On what date was Mindaugas crowned King of Lithuania?

July 6, 1253. Midaugas was crowned as a king on July 6, 1253. It is now a holiday in Lithuania called Mindaugas' Coronation Day.

Mindaugas was the only King of Lithuania.

t. Mindaugas was the only King of Lithuania. Vytautas in 1429 was almost crowned as the second King of Lithuania, but the Poles destroyed the actual crown. Vytautas died before the replacement arrived.

In what year was Mindaugas murdered and by whom?

1263/Treniota. Treinota was Mindaugas' nephew, the son of Skirmantas. He killed Mindaugas and his family because he wanted Mindaugas' title.

In what year was Gediminas born?

1275. Gediminas was a son of Great Duke Budikidas (or Butvydas). He had a brother named Vytenis, who was a Grand Duke before him.

In what year did Gediminas come to power?

1316. Gediminas became a Grand Duke of Lithuania, after his brother Vytenis died. He was a clever ruler.

What characterized Gediminas' rule of Lithuania?

Peace, and marriages of his children to the rulers of neighboring coutries. That was Gediminas' successful way of ruling. He gained a lot of land, and Lithuania gradually became larger.

In what year did Gediminas die?

1341. He died at the age of 66 in his castle and named his eight sons as rulers of Lithuania.

Who took the Grand Duke's throne after Gediminas' death?

Jaunutis. Jaunutis was Gediminas' son. He was unable to control the huge territory of Lithuania. Later his two elder brothers took the throne and made Jaunutis a Grand Duke of Moscovy. Later, Jaunutis returned to Lithuania and died after 1366.

Algirdas and Kęstutis took the throne after they overthrew Jaunutis.

t. Algirdas and Kęstutis overthrew Jaunutis and took the throne in 1345. They ruled in a friendly way, sharing the land: Algirdas took care of the eastern part of Lithuania and Kęstutis - the western part.