Vaišvilkas

Deceased Person

1223 – 1268

59

Who was Vaišvilkas?

Vaišelga or Vaišvilkas was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. 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 son Shvarn was married to Vaišvilkas' sister. 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. He founded a monastery, traditionally identified with Lavrashev Monastery on the bank on the Neman River and entered it as a monk. He set off on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos in Greece. However, he did not reach the destination due to wars in the Balkans and returned to Navahrudak.

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. Then they waged a war against Nalšia and Deltuva, two main centers of opposition to Mindaugas and Vaišvilkas. Daumantas, Duke of Nalšia, was forced to flee to Pskov. Suksė, 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 treaty with Livonia regarding trade on the Daugava River. Lithuanian support of the Great Prussian Uprising ceased, and the orders made advances against Semigallians and Curonians uninterrupted. Together with Shvarn Vaišvilkas attacked Poland in 1265 to avenge devastation of Yotvingians in 1264.

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Born
1223
Also known as
  • Vaisvilkas
Parents
Died
Dec 9, 1268

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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