Mindaugas

Mindaugas (approximate English transcription simplified Lithuanian transcription [mindaŭgas; also known as Ruthenian: Миндовгъ (Mindowh), , ) (c.1203 - 12 September 1263) ruled Lithuania as grand duke (Lithuanian: "didysis kunigaikštis", Belarusian: "вялікі князь") from c. 1236 and as king ("karalius", "кароль") from 1253.

A man of strong character amongst five established grand dukes he was able to win personal power in Lithuania and turned his sight to the Ruthenian lands, where he conquered vast areas. On July 6, 1253 Mindaugas was crowned King of Lithuania. There are only a few probable locations for his coronation: Vilnius, legendary Voruta (Mindaugas stayed here during the civil war in 1251, but its location is still unknown) or Trakai (Old Trakai). It is only known that Mindaugas and his wife Morta were crowned by the order of Pope Innocent IV, and that for this occasion a Catholic church was built.

Mindaugas was originally a pagan (as were most of the Balts), but circa 1252 with his wife Morta he was baptized by the bishop of Kulm (now Chełmno) in the presence of the Master of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. A member of the Order named Christian was consecrated as the first bishop of Lithuania.

This raised opposition among some of the Balts tribes, and there was some resistance. Because of this struggle for power, still-strong roots in Baltic paganism, and his people's disbelief in the conversion to Christianity, after his defeat in the Kuršiai Uprising of 1260, for along time there was a belief that Mindaugas had renounced Christianity in 1262. There is however, no valid proof of this supposed renounciation. On September 12th of 1263, Mindaugas was killed (with his 2 younger sons) by his nephews Treniota and Daumantas (the latter was duke of Nalšia). Under the usurper Treniota, a person of strong pagan beliefs, the country relapsed into paganism until the re-conversion in 1386 by Grand Duke Jogaila.

Only with Gediminas, Grand Duke from 1316, did Lithuania's revival as a European power began. While most of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes from Jogaila onward reigned also as Kings of Poland, their titles remained separate, and Mindaugas was the only King of Lithuania, recognized as such by Western European rulers.

Spouses

Name unknown, mother of Vaisvilkas; died before 1253
Morta, baptized c. 1252 by the bishop of Kulm, mother of Gerstutis, Ruplys and Rupeikis; died 1262
Sister of Morta, wife of Daumantas. Mindaugas took her from Daumantas after Morta's death.

Brother

Dowsprunk (? - 1213 near Lielvarde), Grand Duke of Lithuania ? - 1213

Son

Vaišvilkas (Woyszwiłk, Vojszalak, Vojšalk, Vaišelga, Vaishyalga, Vaišalgas, Rymont Lawrasz, Rimond Laurent; killed on 9 December 1268 Vladimir), Prince of Black Ruthenia 1239 - 1254, Grand Duke of Lithuania 1254, 1258 – 1263

Daughter

Mindowhowna (1201 - 1264), married King Švarn of Halych-Volhynia in 1255

External links

Pages and Forums on the Lithuanian History

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Spouses

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Son

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