| Algirdas | |
|---|---|
 Fragment from medal byJuozas Kalinauskas | |
| Grand Duke of Lithuania | |
| Reign | 1345–1377 |
| Predecessor | Jaunutis |
| Successor | Jogaila |
| Duke of Zaslawye | |
| Reign | c. 1320–1345 |
| Successor | Jaunutis |
| Duke of Vitebsk | |
| Reign | 1318–1377 |
| Predecessor | Vasilko Briachislavich |
| Successor | Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver |
| Born | c. 1296 |
| Died | Late May 1377 possiblyMaišiagala |
| Spouse | |
| Issue more... | |
| Dynasty | Gediminid |
| Father | Gediminas |
| Mother | Vida |
| Religion | Lithuanian polytheism |
Algirdas[a] (c. 1296 – May 1377) wasGrand Duke of Lithuania from 1345 to 1377.[1] With the help of his brotherKęstutis (who defended the western border of the Duchy) he created an empire stretching from the presentBaltic states to theBlack Sea and to within 80 kilometres (50 miles) of Moscow.[2]
Algirdas was one of the seven sons of Grand DukeGediminas. Before his death in 1341, Gediminas divided his domain, leaving his youngest sonJaunutis in possession of the capital,Vilnius. With the aid of his brother,Kęstutis, Algirdas drove out the incompetent Jaunutis and declared himself Grand Duke in 1345. He devoted the next thirty-two years to the development and expansion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.[3]
After becoming theruler of Lithuania, Algirdas was titled the King of Lithuania (Latin:rex Letwinorum) in theLivonian Chronicles instead of the termsknyaz (English:prince,duke) orvelikiy knyaz (grand prince).[4][5]
Two factors are thought to have contributed to this result: the political sagacity of Algirdas and the devotion of Kęstutis. The division of their dominions is illustrated by the fact that Algirdas appears almost exclusively inEast Slavic sources, while Western chronicles primarily describe Kęstutis. Lithuania was surrounded by enemies. TheTeutonic Order in the northwest and theGolden Horde in the southeast sought Lithuanian territory, whilePoland to the west and theMoscow principality to the east were generally hostile competitors.[citation needed]
"The entireRus' should belong to theGrand Duchy of Lithuania"
.jpg)
Algirdas held his own, also acquiring influence and territory at the expense of the Moscow principality and the Golden Horde and extending the borders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the Black Sea. His principal efforts were directed toward securing theSlavic lands which were part of the formerKievan Rus'. Although Algirdas engineered the election of his sonAndrius as Prince ofPskov and a powerful minority ofNovgorod Republic citizens supported him against the Moscow principality, his rule in both commercial centres was (at best) precarious.[3]
Algirdas occupied the important principalities ofSmolensk andBryansk. Although his relationship with the grand dukes of Moscow principality was generally friendly (demonstrated by his marriages to twoOrthodox Russian princesses), hebesieged Moscow in 1368 and 1370 during theLithuanian–Muscovite War (1368–1372).[7] An important feat by Algirdas was his victory over the Tatars in theBattle of Blue Waters at theSouthern Bug in 1362, which resulted in the breakup of theKipchaks and compelled the khan to establish his headquarters in theCrimea.[3]
In a 1371 letter to Philotheus Kokkinos, theEcumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Algirdas titled himself as a Lithuanian King, demanded a separatemetropolitan bishop (fromMoscow) forKyiv, Smolensk,Tver,Little Russia,Novosil, andNizhny Novgorod, and denied Muscovite complaints that he attacked Moscow without a reason.[8]
According to modern historians, "For Gediminas and Algirdas, retention of paganism provided a useful diplomatic tool and weapon ... that allowed them to use promises ofconversion as a means of preserving their power and independence".[9]Hermann von Wartberge andJan Długosz described Algirdas as a pagan until his death in 1377. Contemporary Byzantine accounts support the Western sources; future PatriarchNilus described Algirdas as a "fire-worshipping prince"[10] and another patriarch,Philotheus, excommunicated all Ruthenian noblemen who helped the "impious" Algirdas.[11] His pagan beliefs were also mentioned in 14th-century Byzantine historianNicephorus Gregoras' accounts.[12]
After his death, Algirdas was burned on a ceremonialpyre with 18 horses and many of his possessions in a forest nearMaišiagala,[13] probably in the Kukaveitis forest shrine located at54°55′42″N25°01′04″E / 54.92833°N 25.01778°E /54.92833; 25.01778.[14] His alleged burial site has undergone archaeological research since 2009.[15] Algirdas' descendants include theTrubetzkoy,Czartoryski andSanguszko families.[citation needed]
Although Algirdas was said to have ordered the death ofAnthony, John, and Eustathius of Vilnius,[citation needed] who were laterglorified as martyrs of theRussian Orthodox Church, the 16th-centuryBychowiec Chronicle and 17th-centuryHustynska Chronicle maintain that he converted to Orthodox Christianity some time before his marriage to Maria of Vitebsk in 1318. Several Orthodox churches were built in Vilnius during his reign, but later assertions about his baptism are uncorroborated by contemporary sources. Despite contemporary accounts and modern studies,[16][17] however, some Russian historians (such as Batiushikov) claim that Algirdas was an Orthodox ruler. TheKiev Monastery of the Caves' commemorative book, underwritten by Algirdas' descendants, recorded hisbaptismal name as Demetrius during the 1460s. Algirdas married Uliana of Tver by 1350.[18]
FollowingWojciech Wijuk Kojałowicz andMacarius I,Volodymyr Antonovych writes that Algirdas took monastic vows several days before his death and was interred at theCathedral of the Theotokos in Vilnius under the monastic name Alexius.[citation needed]
With Maria of Vitebsk:
With Uliana of Tver:
Through his son Vladimir, Algirdas is the fifth great-grandfather ofElizabeth Báthory.
Algirdas balanced himself between Principality of Moscow and Poland, spokeLithuanian andRuthenian (among other languages) and followed the majority of hispagan and Orthodox subjects rather than to alienate them by promotingRoman Catholicism.[fact or opinion?] His sonJogaila ascended the Polish throne, converted to Roman Catholicism and foundedthe dynasty which ruled Lithuania and Poland for nearly 200 years.[3]
Algirdas is also widely honoured inBelarus as a unifier of modern-day Belarusian lands within one state, a successful military commander and ruler.[20][21] A monument to him has been erected inVitsebsk in 2014, as part of the celebration of the city's 1040th anniversary. Algirdas wasDuke of Vitebsk for over 20 years before becoming Grand Duke of Lithuania.[22]
In December 2022, theNational Bank of the Republic of Belarus issued a commemorative coin dedicated to theBattle of Blue Waters with a portrait of Algirdas.[23]
Algirdas features in the 2021 video gameAge of Empires II: Definitive Edition in theDawn of the Dukes campaign, detailing the exploits of himself and his brother Kęstutis.[24]
Algirdas Born:c. 1296 Died: May 1377 | ||
| Preceded by | Grand Duke of Lithuania co-ruler withKęstutis 1345–1377 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Yaroslav | Prince of Vitebsk 1345–1377 | Succeeded by |
