Vaišvilkas

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Imaginative 16th-17th century portrait
Imaginative 16th-17th century portrait
Monastery that was presumably founded by Vaišvilkas (painting by Napoleon Orda)
Monastery that was presumably founded by Vaišvilkas (painting by Napoleon Orda)

Vaišelga or Vaišvilkas (also spelled as Vojszalak, Vojšalk, Vaišalgas[1], killed on December 9, 1268) was the Prince of Black Ruthenia (1255–1267), and the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1264–1267). He was son of Mindaugas, the first and only King of Lithuania.

Nothing is known about Vaišvilkas' youth as he entered historical sources only in 1254 when he made a treaty, in the name of his father King Mindaugas, with Daniel of Halych-Volhynia. In the treaty Halych-Volhynia transfers Black Ruthenia with center in Navahrudak to Lithuania. So solidify the treaty Daniel's brother Shvarn was married to Vaišvilkas' sister.[2] Vaišvilkas was appointed as duke of some of these lands. After Vaišvilkas was baptized in Greek Orthodox rite, he was drawn to the religious life so much that he transferred his title and lands to Roman Danylovich, son of Daniel of Halych.[2] He founded a monastery, traditionally identified with Lavrashev Monastery, on the bank on the Neman River and entered it as a monk.[3] He set off on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos in Greece. However, he did not reach the destination due to wars in Balkans and returned to Navahrudak.[2]

In 1264 he escaped assassination plot by Treniota and Daumantas against his father and two of his brothers. Treniota was murdered by former servants of Mindaugas. Vaišvilkas allied himself with his brother-in-law Shvarn from Halych-Volhynia. They managed to take control over Black Ruthenia and Duchy of Lithuania.[4] Then they waged a war against Nalšia and Deltuva, two main centers of opposition to Mindaugas and Vaišvilkas.[5] Daumantas, Duke of Nalšia, was forced to flee to Pskov. Suksė (Suxe), another influential duke from Nalšia fled to Livonia. Vaišvilkas become the Grand Duke of Lithuania. As a Christian, he tried to maintain friendly relationship with the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order. He signed a peace treay with Livonia regarding trade in the Daugava River.[2] Lithuanian support of the Great Prussian Uprising ceased, and the orders made advances against Semigallians and Curonians uninterrupted. Together with Shvarn he attacked Poland in 1265 to avenge devastation of Yotvingians in 1264.[4]

When in 1267 he decided to go back to monastic life, Vaišvilkas transferred the title of Grand Duke to Shvarn. A year later he was killed by Shvarn's brother, Leo I of Halych, who was angry that Vaišvilkas did not divide the powers between him and his brother.[4]

[edit] Name

The original Lithuanian name of the Grand Duke has puzzled many linguists and historians. Their reconstructions resulted in two credible variants Vaišvilkas, based on Woyszwiłk and Vaišelga, based on Vojšalk. The name Vaišvilkas was first reconstructed by Kazimieras Būga.[6] In fact, the first part of the double-stemmed name -vaiš causes no dispute and is attested in many similar names. However, the second part -vilkas, meaning "wolf" is very rare to non existent in Lithuanian names.[6] This led to the hypothesis that the initial form of the name should have been Vaišvilas.[7] The variant Vaišelga/Vaišalga has gained more popularity in historical writings even though the origins of the element -alg and -elg are not entirely clear.[7] Eventually, some researchers even suggest him having two names, one of them being Vaišvilas.[8]

[edit] See also

Preceded by
Treniota		 Grand Duke of Lithuania
1264–1267		 Succeeded by
Shvarn
v • d • e
Monarchs of Lithuania
Early Grand Dukes
Mindaugas (House) · Treniota · Vaišvilkas · Shvarn · Traidenis · Daumantas
Gediminids
Elected

[edit] References

  1. ^ (Russian) Baranauskas, Tomas. Древние литовские имена. Medieval Lithuania. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Vaišvilkas". Encyclopedia Lituanica VI. (1970-1978). Ed. Simas Sužiedėlis. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. 29-30. LCC 74-114275. 
  3. ^ Rowell, S. C. (1994). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-Central Europe, 1295-1345, Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series. Cambridge University Press, 149. ISBN 9780521450119. 
  4. ^ a b c Kiaupa, Zigmantas; Jūratė Kiaupienė, Albinas Kunevičius [1995] (2000). The History of Lithuania Before 1795, English, Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History, 68-69. ISBN 9986-810-13-2. 
  5. ^ (Lithuanian) Ivinskis, Zenonas (1978). Lietuvos istorija iki Vytauto Didžiojo mirties. Rome: Lietuvių katalikų mokslo akademija, 197-199. 
  6. ^ a b (Lithuanian) Valentas, Skirmantas (2002). "ISTORINIS VEIKĖJAS EILĖRAŠTYJE: Воишелкъ, Воишевoлкъ". Literatūra. 
  7. ^ a b (Lithuanian) Zinkevičius, Zigmas (2007). Senosios Lietuvos valstybės vardynas. Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas, 48. ISBN 5-420-01606-0. 
  8. ^ (Lithuanian) Kuzavinis, Kazimieras; Bronys Savukynas (1987). Lietuvių vardų kilmės žodynas. Vilnius: Mokslas.