Vytenis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vytenis (in Belarusian: Вiцень) 13th century – 1316) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania 1293 (1295;1296?) – 1316.

The rule of Vytenis was marked by constant warfare for a consolidation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: with the Ruthenians, Masovians, the Teutonic Order. During this time, the Teutonic Order was attempting to establish a corridor along the Baltic Sea, in Samogitia, to link up with the Livonian Order to the north. Vytenis expended considerable effort aiding the lowland Lithuanians in defensive battles.

Vytenis invaded Masovia in 1292 with an army of 800 men, reaching as far as Łęczyca.

He responded to a request from the Archbishop of Riga to defend local residents, including local Germans, from the Teutonic order, who at this time were warring against all locals, regardless of religion, language or descent.

He is said to have been killed by a bolt of lightning. It was believed to be a great honour bestowed upon one by Perkūnas, the Lithuanian god of thunder, to be struck by lightning.

1 Father
2 Brothers
3 Son
4 See also

[edit] Father

Butvydas (Pukuveras; Pukuwer) (13th century – 1296), Grand Duke of Lithuania 1291 – 1296

[edit] Brothers

Gediminas (in Polish: Giedymin; ca 1275 – winter 1341 under Veliuona), Grand Duke of Lithuania 1316 – 1341
Wojn (? – after 1342), Prince of Polatsk 1315 – after 1342
Fiodor (? - ca 1362), Prince of Kiev
Algimantas (Olgimunt; Borys)