| Lengvenis | |
|---|---|
%2c_1379.jpg) Seal of Lengvenis, dating to 1379 | |
| Prince of Novgorod | |
| Reign | 1389–1392, 1406–1411 |
| Predecessor | Dmitry Donskoy |
| Successor | Vasily III Dmitriyevich |
| Prince of Mstsislaw | |
| Reign | 1392–1431 |
| Predecessor | Karigaila |
| Born | c. 1360 |
| Died | after 19 June 1431 |
| Spouse | Maria Dmitrovna |
| Dynasty | Gediminid |
| Father | Algirdas |
| Mother | Uliana of Tver |
Lengvenis[a] (c. 1360 – after 19 June 1431[1]) was one of the sons ofAlgirdas,Grand Duke of Lithuania, who was theprince of Novgorod (1389–1392; 1406–1411). He was one of the most famous commanders ofVytautas the Great.[1] He was baptized in theEastern Orthodox rite as Semën to be titled the prince of Novgorod.[1][2]
Lengvenis was born to Algirdas and his second wifeUliana of Tver.[1] In 1387, Lengvenis commanded one of Lithuanian formations in a battle with theTeutonic Order.[1] Invited by the Novgorodians themselves, Lengvenis was first regent inGreat Novgorod in 1389–1392, responsible to Jogaila, the Grand Duke of Lithuania.[1] He was baptized in the Eastern Orthodox rite as Semën and received the title of Prince of Great Novgorod.[1][2] After Lengvenis lost this title in 1392,Vytautas the Great appointed him in 1393 as thePrince of Mstislavl in then easternLithuania.[1] In 1406–1411, Lengvenis, once again, was regent of Great Novgorod, this time responsible to Vytautas.[1] As ruler of Novgorod he led battles againstPskov Republic,Livonian Order, andSweden.[1]
In 1410, Lengvenis participated in theBattle of Grunwald. He led his own "banner", and a certain Georgy- the next banner in the famous list of chroniclerJan Długosz. Often this George is considered the son of Lengvenis, Yury. Many historians[clarification needed] believe that under the command of Lengvenis there were three banners ofSmolensk land, which played a significant role in the battle.[3] In 1411 Lengvenis participated in the signing of thePeace of Thorn.[1] He was married toMaria Dmitrovna, princess ofMoscow, the daughter ofDmitry Donskoy.
In 1380, he founded the Monastery of the Dormition in Pustynki near Mstsislaw in then eastern Lithuania, nowBelarus.[4]