User:Renata3/hist
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The history of Lithuania between 1285 and 1377 deals with the growth and expansion of the first Lithuanian state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Despite increasing presure from the Teutonic Knights to convert to Christianity, Lithuania gained substantial territories in the east.
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[edit] Reign of Vytenis
[edit] Reign of Gediminas
[edit] Jaunutis
Before his death, Gediminas divided lands of the Grand Duchy among his sons: Manvydas received Kernavė and Slonim, Narimantas got Pinsk, Algirdas ruled Vitebsk and Kreva, Kęstutis became Duke of Trakai and Samogitia, Karijotas inherited Navahrudak, Liubartas remained in Volhynia. Vilnius and the title of Grand Duke passed onto Jaunutis.<r-280> Such partition leaves several important questions open: why not all Grand Duchy's lands are mentioned (for example, Minsk and Polatsk)? why was Jaunutis chosen as the Grand Duke?<kiaupa-118> There are many theories why Jaunutis, not mentioned in any sources prior to Gediminas' death,<r-282> became the Grand Duke. He was not the eldest son, but some argued that he might have been the eldest son of Gediminas' second wife. Others believe Jaunutis was an acceptable compromise between pagan (Algirdas and Kęstutis) and Orthodox (Narimantas, Karijotas, Liubartas) sons of Gediminas.<kiaupa-118> It was suggested that Jaunutis was placed to keep Algirdas and Narimantas from fighting each other.<r-282>
