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| Skirgaila | |
|---|---|
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| Grand Duke of Lithuania | |
| Reign | 1386–1392 |
| Predecessor | Jogaila |
| Successor | Vytautas |
| Co-ruler | Władysław II Jagiełło |
| Duke of Trakai | |
| Reign | 1382–1392 |
| Predecessor | Kęstutis |
| Successor | Vytautas |
| Prince of Kiev | |
| Reign | 1395–1397 |
| Predecessor | Vladimir Olgerdovich |
| Successor | Ivan Olshansky |
| Born | c. 1354 Vilnius,Grand Duchy of Lithuania |
| Died | January 8, 1397(1397-01-08) (aged 42–43) Kiev,Principality of Kiev,Grand Duchy of Lithuania |
| Burial | |
| Issue | A daughter |
| Latin | Schirgalo |
| Belarusian | Скіргайла Альгердавіч |
| Polish | Skirgiełło |
| Dynasty | Gediminid |
| Father | Algirdas |
| Mother | Uliana of Tver |
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Skirgaila,[a] also known asIvan/Iwan (c. 1353 or 1354 – 11 January 1397; baptized 1383/1384 asCasimir), was aregent of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for his brotherJogaila from 1386 to 1392. He was the son ofAlgirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his second wifeUliana of Tver.
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After Algirdas' death in 1377, Jogaila became the Grand Duke. It is believed that the dynastic disputes that soon erupted between him and his uncleKęstutis and his cousinVytautas the Great were largely inspired by Skirgaila. It is known about his travels to theTeutonic Knights in 1379 just a year prior to the controversialTreaty of Dovydiškės. Skirgaila was the chief supporter of his brother Jogaila and helped him to imprison both Kęstutis and Vytautas inKreva castle during theLithuanian Civil War (1381–1384). Some historians speculate that Kęstutis' death after a week in prison was in fact assassination carried out by Skirgaila. As a reward for a job well done, Skirgaila received theDuchy of Trakai.
When Jogaila was preparing for theUnion of Kreva, Skirgaila was actively involved in the negotiations and even headed a diplomatic mission to Poland. The negotiations succeeded and Jogaila marriedJadwiga of Poland and was crowned asKing of Poland in 1386. He appointed Skirgaila on 13 March 1386 as governor in Lithuania, not only on his behalf but also on behalf of queen Jadwiga and Polish Crown.[2]
As ruler of Lithuania, Skirgaila had to deal with his oldest brotherAndrei, who still was refusing to accept Jogaila as a Grand Duke. First he defeated Andrei's allySviatoslav II of Smolensk in abattle of the Vikhra River nearMstislavl on 29 April 1386, during which Sviatoslav lost his life. Sviatoslav sonYury of Smolensk was forced to accept Lithuanian suzerainty in exchange of princely throne. Later Skirgaila attacked Polatsk; his first expedition in October was unsuccessful, but the next on March 1387 resulted in Andrei's capture and death of his son Simeon, who was killed in a battle.[3] Next month Skirgaila was invested in Polatsk and once again pledged his loyalty to Jogaila, Jadwiga and Polish Crown, promising return of his land in case of his heirless death.[3] Skirgaila was now directly ruling over large portion of Lithuania, including the duchy of Vilnius, ruled on behalf of Jogaila. On February 20, 1387, Jogaila elevated his brother above other Lithuanian princes and extended his authority over Ruthenian lands.[3]
In 1389, hestarted a new civil war, but after an unsuccessful attack onVilnius he had to seek help from theTeutonic Knights. In 1392 Jogaila and Vytautas signed theOstrów Agreement, and Vytautas became his regent of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. TheDuchy of Trakai was returned to Vytautas as his patrimony.
As a compensation Skirgaila received a portion ofVolhynia andKiev since 1395. The circumstances surrounding his death are not entirely clear. He was interred in theKiev Pechersk Lavra.
Skirgaila had one known child, a daughter by an unknown mother, who was mentioned in sources in 1393.[4]
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Media related toSkirgaila, Grand Duke of Lithuania at Wikimedia Commons
Skirgaila Born: c. 1353/54 Died: 1397 | ||
| Preceded by | Grand Prince of Lithuania as regent ofJogaila 1386–1392 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Duke of Trakai 1382–1392 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Prince of Kiev 1395–1397 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
