Treniota

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Depiction of Treniota from chronicles of Alexander Guagnini, published in 1578
Depiction of Treniota from chronicles of Alexander Guagnini, published in 1578

Treniota (Troniata) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1263 to 1264) and Prince of Black Ruthenia.

Treniota was the nephew of Mindaugas, the first and only King of Lithuania. While Mindaugas had converted to Christianity in order to discourage Livonian Order and Teutonic Knights attacks on Lithuania, becoming king in the process, Treniota remained a staunch pagan. It is believed that Treniota was trusted to rule Samogitia.

Despite Mindaugas's conversion, the Teutonic Knights regularly made incursions in Lithuanian territory. After the Battle of Durbe in 1260, Treniota convinced Mindaugas to relapse from Christianity and attack the Teutonic Order, though the attack was ineffective and the Teutonic Knights were barely weakened. Mindaugas began to question his alliance with Treniota. However, before he was able act against his pagan nephew, Treniota together with Daumantas assassinated Mindaugas and his two elder sons in 1263. Treniota usurped the throne and reverted the nation back to paganism, but only ruled for a year before being deposed and replaced by Vaišvilkas, the younger son of Mindaugas.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • (Lithuanian) Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.), Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.) (Rulers of Lithuania (13-18th centuries)), Mokslo ir enicklopedijų leidybos institutas, Vilnius 2004. Page 23. ISBN 5-420-01535-8
Preceded by
Mindaugas
Grand Prince of Lithuania
1263-1264
Succeeded by
Vaišvilkas
In other languages