Jonas Goštautas

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Jonas Goštautas (died 1458 in Vilnius) was the noblemen from Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Served as chancellor of Lithuania from 1443 till 1458 and was de facto ruler of Lithuania for around twenty years.

First time Jonas Goštautas was mentioned in 1413, later on he served as marshal during the late reign of Vytautas the Great. He continued his duties and under Švitrigaila. In 1431 defending Luck from Polish assault was captured and imprisoned.

Then fight erupted between Švitrigaila and Žygimantas Kęstutaitis for Grand Duke title, Jonas Goštautas supported Žygimantas Kęstutaitis, which appointed him as governor of Smolensk later on. He served as governor of Smolensk for around four years and only assassination of Grand Duke Žygimantas Kęstutaitis forced him to leave this position. Serving to may rulers he managed to gain and hold tremendous wealth and thus he became one of the richest noblemen of Lithuania.

Death of Žygimantas Kęstutaitis left empty throne of Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Jonas Goštautas, as well as other noblemen from Lithuania, supported Casimir Jagiellon as pretender to the throne. Polish noblemen hoped and insisted that thirteen years old boy pretender will remain only as vicegerent of Lithuania.^[1] But when Casimir arrived in Vilnius he was proclaimed as Grand Duke without Polish noblemen approval by Jonas Goštautas indicative in Vilnius Cathedral, 1440.^[1] In this way fragile personal union between Grad Duchy of Lithuania and Kingdom of Poland was dissolved. The news in Kingdom of Poland about proclamation of Casimir as Grand Duke was met with hostility towards Lithuania, even was threatened to declaring war.^[1]

Jonas Goštautas secured positions as palatine of Trakai in 1440, and from 1443 palatine of Vilnius and chancellor of Lithuania. Holding the most important positions in the state and supporting young Grand Duke he became actual ruler of Lithuania. He expanded council of Lords rights, made structural reforms, led assault on rebelling Kiev. Nevertheless in 1444 Władysław died in battle and Polish noblemen insisted that Casimir should return to Kingdom of Poland and take an empty throne. After several years of discussions for Casimir`s return to Kingdom of Poland, Goštautas and other Lithuanian noblemen raised several conditions which had to be met, which were presented in 1446 treaty: Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Kingdom of Poland will remain separate states only with close co-operation ties, governed by one or two rulers, Podolia and Volynia will be returned to Grand Duchy of Lithuania. ^[2] After issuing another privilege in 1447, Casimir returned to Kingdom of Poland.

After Casimir left Lithuania, Goštautas remain in his state positions and continued his policy. In 1458 Jonas Goštautas died.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} J. Kiaupienë Valdžios krizës pabaiga ir Kazimieras Jogailaitis. Gimtoji istorija 2: Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės (Lietuvos istorijos vadovėlis). CD. (2003). Elektroninės leidybos namai: Vilnius.
2. ^ Encyclopedia Lituanica. Boston, 1970-1978, Vol 2. p.348-349