Lengvenis (13th century)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lengvenis (Lengewin) was one of the local dukes in early Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the reign of King Mindaugas in the 13th century. First mentioned in 1242, he was a relative of Mindaugas, a son or a husband of his sister. In the 1240's he led Mindaugas' armies against Halych-Volhynia. Three brothers Gineika, Milgerinas and Tučė, dukes of neighboring lands, unhappy with growing power of Mindaugas and his clan, invaded Lengvenis' estate (believed to be in Nalšia, northeastern Lithuania with the center in Ginučiai Hillfort) and captured him and his family. Lengvenis was taken to Riga to the Livonian Order, an ally of the captors, for a ransom. After the ransom was paid, he returned to his devastated estate. Lengvenis is mentioned for the last time in 1260 when he successfully led soldiers against the komtur of Cēsis.

[edit] References

  • (Lithuanian) Varakauskas, Rokas (2004). "Lengvenis". Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas. Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. 22. ISBN 5-420-01535-8. 

[edit] See also