| Monarchy ofLithuania | |
|---|---|
 | |
 KingMindaugas | |
| Details | |
| Style | His/Her Majesty[d] |
| First monarch | Mindaugas I[a] |
| Last monarch | Stanisław II August[b]Mindaugas II[c] |
| Formation | 1236 |
| Abolition | 1795 |
| Residence | Mindaugas' Castle,Voruta(1253−1263) Gediminas' Castle,Vilnius(late 13th century−late 15th century) Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania,Vilnius(late 15th century−1665) New Grodno Castle,Grodno(second half of the 18th century) |
| Appointer | Hereditary(1253–1574) Szlachta(1574–1795) Hereditary(1918) |
| Pretender(s) | Prince Inigo of Urach (disputed) |
This is a list ofLithuanian monarchs who ruledLithuania from its inception until the fall of theGrand Duchy of Lithuania in 1795. The Lithuanian monarch bore the title ofGrand Duke, with the exception ofMindaugas, who was crownedking in 1253.[1][2] Other Lithuanian rulers, such asVytautas the Great, also attempted to secure a royal coronation, but these efforts were unsuccessful.[3]
Until 1569, the Lithuanian monarchy was hereditary. In 1386, Grand DukeJogaila was electedKing of Poland. From that point onward, with some interruptions, the two states were united in apersonal union, sharing a common ruler until 1569, when they were formally merged by theUnion of Lublin to form thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.[4] The monarch of this new state was elected in a free election by the entire nobility.[5]
From the Christianization of Lithuania until 1569, the inauguration of the Grand Duke took place inVilnius Cathedral, where the Bishop of Vilnius placedGediminas' Cap on the ruler’s head.[6] After the Union of Lublin, the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania was assumed during the coronation inKraków.[5]
In 1918, there was an attempt to establish theKingdom of Lithuania underGerman auspices, but the plan ultimately failed.[3]
The first Lithuanian rulers did not leave behind any written documents, so we do not know their native titles, but only those given to them by their neighbors. InRus', they were calledknyaz (kniaz’) or grand knyas (velikii kniaz’), while in the German sphere they were referred to as elder (senior), leader (dux), and sometimes prince (princeps).[7]
After the coronation Mindaugas adopted royal title: "By the Grace of God, King of the Lithuania" (Dei Gratia Rex Lettowiae).[8][9] The first mention of a Lithuanian king predates theestablishment of the Christian kingdom itself: according to theLivonian Rhymed Chronicle, Mindaugas' father was a great king who "had no equal in his time."[10] As the territory of Lithuania expanded eastwards, other king-titled grand dukes who ruled the country adopted similar titles for introducing themselves abroad. For instance, Grand Duke of LithuaniaVytenis was sometimes regarded asRex Lethowinorum (King of Lithuanians) while his successor Gediminas took the Latin title ofRex Lithuanorum et Multorum Ruthenorum (King of Lithuanians and manyRuthenians).[11][12][13][14]Teutonic Knights referred toAlgirdas and his wifeUliana (Julijona) as "Grand King of Lithuania" and "Grand Queen of Lithuania".[15] Even though it is traditionally accepted that Mindaugas was the only true king, all historical records, with the exception of Slavic annals, mention Lithuanian rulers as kings until 1386.[16]
Officially, the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania (Magnus Dux Lithuaniae) was introduced after thePact of Horodło in 1413.[15] Until then, previous monarchs were called by different titles, including kings. This was because in Lithuania, unlike in the majority of other European monarchies, the Grand Duke was a sovereign monarch who was accountable to no one, thusde facto king.[15]
Following theAct of Krėva withPoland in 1385, the full Latin title was changed toDei Gratia Rex Poloniae Magnus Dux Lithuaniae (By the Grace of God, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania).
The title of the Grand Duke of Lithuania mostly came into force during the reign of Grand DukeVytautas the Great, who concluded theOstrów Agreement with his cousin Jogaila in 1392 and the agreement was confirmed in thePact of Vilnius and Radom in 1401. Since then Jogaila was titled the Supreme Duke of Lithuania (supremus dux Lithuaniae).[17][18][19][20] Vytautas the Great gained the factual rule of Lithuania, which was recognized by the treaties.[18] In 1398, theLithuanian nobility declared Vytautas the Great as the King of Lithuania and, following theCongress of Lutsk in 1429, the crowning was sanctioned bySigismund, Holy Roman Emperor. However, Vytautas died before the crown arrived.[21][22][23]
Jogaila's sonWładysław III also titled himself as the Supreme Duke of Lithuania.[19]John I Albert unilaterally declared himself as the Supreme Duke of Lithuania in 1492, but this title was rejected by theLithuanian Council of Lords.[19]
In 1544–1548,Sigismund I the Old expressed his supreme monarchical authority in Lithuania by again using the Supreme Duke of Lithuania title when his sonSigismund II Augustus was hisvicegerent in Lithuania.[19][24]
_of_Alexander_Hilarius_Polubinski%2c_Grand_Marshall_of_the_Grand_Duchy_Lithuania%2c_1675.jpg)
The inaugurations of the Lithuanian monarchs were held inVilnius Cathedral and consisted of the placement ofGediminas' Cap on the Lithuanian monarch's head and the presentation of asword.[6][17] The cap was placed on the head by the Bishop of Vilnius and the sword was presented by theGrand Marshal of Lithuania.[21][25] The regalia of Vytautas the Great consisted of Gediminas' Cap, sword, ring, flag, and seal.[21]
The first inauguration ceremony of a Lithuanian Grand Duke about which there is reliable information is that ofCasimir IV Jagiellon, as reported byJan Długosz.[26]Casimir IV was sent by his older brother King of Poland and Hungary, Supreme Duke of LithuaniaWładysław III, to Lithuania to rule in his name.[27] But instead he was elected as Grand Duke upon his arrival toVilnius on 29 June 1440, with the ringing of church bells and the singing of theTe Deum laudamus.[28][26] This was breaching the agreements of theUnion of Grodno (1432) and terminating thePolish–Lithuanian union.[29][30] It manifested Lithuania as a sovereign state and its ruler Casimir IV Jagiellon stressed himself as a "free lord" (pan – dominus).[30] According to historianEdvardas Gudavičius, Bishop of Vilnius put a Gediminas' Cap in the Vilnius Cathedral on his head, despite thePolish nobility's opposition.[31][30]
Another documented inauguration is the enthronement ofAlexander Jagiellon in 1492. Alexander was appointed Grand Duke by his father, nevertheless, a formal election of the ruler was held as part of a general assembly, which was attended for the first time by representatives from all the lands of the Grand Duchy.[32] The course of the ceremony was documented byMaciej Stryjkowski, who reported that after the election lords elevated Alexander in the cathedral. The newly elected ruler was dressed "in a ducal cap with pearls and precious stones set in it, also the usual robe that today theprinces of the Reich wear at theimperial coronation."[33] Then Bishop of VilniusWojciech Tabor blessed him and held a pastoral exhortation over him. Then the Grand Marshal of LithuaniaPetras Jonaitis Mantigirdaitis handed Alexander a bare sword and a sceptre.[34][35] Subsequently, the Poles considered electing Alexander Jagiellon as the King of Poland, however instead of himJohn I Albert was elected as the King of Poland in August 1492 and this led to another termination of the Polish–Lithuanian union.[36]
Stryjkowski also relayed the election and inauguration of Sigismund I as Grand Duke of Lithuania on 20 October 1509. The ceremony was again attended by Bishop Wojciech Tabor, who this time not only blessed but also placed a cap on the ruler's head. In turn, Grand MarshalMichael Glinski presented him with a sword. Sigismund received the oath of the Lithuanian lords while sitting on the throne.[37] According to Stryjkowski, the cap was: "of red velvet with gold spheres set with precious stones".[38]
The last ceremony to elevate a grand duke took place on 18 October 1529, whenSigismund Augustus was elevated to this dignity during his father's lifetime. The ceremony occurred in the great hall of the newly builtlower castle, as the cathedral burned down that same year.[39][40] The young Sigismund Augustus sat on the throne between his parents, surrounded by members of thecouncil of lords. The cap was placed on the ruler's head by the Bishop of Vilnius, while the Grand Marshal presented him with a sword.[41] Following theUnion of Lublin, which formed the federativePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569, and the death of the last Gediminid rulerSigismund II Augustus in 1572, separate inaugurations in Vilnius Cathedral were abolished, therefore Gediminas' Cap lost its ceremonial significance.[6][21][42] The insignias of the Lithuanian rulers were not preserved and following the Union of Lublin only the seal (kept by theGrand Chancellor of Lithuania) and the flag (carried near the ruler by the Grand Flag Bearer of Lithuania) remained.[21]
The demand of a separate inauguration ceremony of theGrand Duke of Lithuania was raised by the nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (e.g.Mikołaj "the Red" Radziwiłł,Eustachy Wołłowicz,Jan Karol Chodkiewicz,Konstanty Ostrogski) during the negotiations of the Union of Lublin, however it was not officially included into it.[43] On 20 April 1576 a congress of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's nobles was held inGrodno which adopted an Universal, signed by the participating Lithuanian nobles, which announced that if the delegates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania will feel pressure from the Poles in theElection sejm, the Lithuanians will not be obliged by an oath of theUnion of Lublin and will have the right to select a separate monarch.[44] On 29 May 1580, bishopMerkelis Giedraitis in the Vilnius Cathedral presented Grand DukeStephen Báthory (King of Poland since 1 May 1576) aluxuriously decorated sword and a hat adorned with pearls (both were sanctified byPope Gregory XIII himself), while this ceremony manifested the sovereignty of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and had the meaning of elevation of the new Grand Duke of Lithuania, this way ignoring the stipulations of the Union of Lublin.[45][46][47][48] Nevertheless, per Union of Lublin the rulers of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth were elected in joint Polish–Lithuanianelection sejms until theThird Partition in 1795 and received separate titles of the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania.[49][25] During thecoronations ofjoint Polish–Lithuanian monarchs, thePolish crown was also announced as a property of both the Polish and Lithuanian nobles.[21]
| Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Mindaugas 1236 – 1253 (as Grand Duke) 1253 – 1263 (as king) | | c. 1203 Son of mythologicalRingaudas | (1)NN, sister of Morta 2 children (2)Morta 2 children | 1263 Aglona Assassinated byTreniota andDaumantas Aged about 60 | Right of conquest Son of mythologicalRingaudas |
| Grand Duke Treniota 1263 – 1264 |  | Unknown Son ofNN, Mindaugas' sister andVykintas | Unknown 1 child | 1264 Murdered by servants loyal to Mindaugas' sonVaišvilkas | Right of conquest Nephew ofMindaugas |
| Grand Duke Vaišvilkas Laurušas 1264 – 1267 |  | Unknown Son ofMindaugas andNN, Mindaugas' firat wife | Unmarried and childless | 1268 Was murdered byLeo I of Galicia | Right of conquest Son ofMindaugas |
| Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Duke Shvarn Lithuanian:Švarnas 1267 – 1269 |  | c. 1230 Halych Son ofDaniel of Galicia | NN, daughter of Mindaugas No children | c. 1269 Kholm Aged about 39 | Offered byVaišvilkas Brother-in-law ofVaišvilkas |
| Name | Portrait | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Duke Traidenis 1270 – 1282 |  | 1220 | Ona of Masovia 1 child | 1282 Kernavė Aged 62 | Right of conquest Possibly a relative ofMindaugas |
| Grand Duke Daumantas 1282 – 1285 | Unknown | Unknown | 3 March 1285 Died in a battle byTver | Possibly a son ofMindaugas |
| Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Duke Butigeidis 1285 – 1291 | .jpg) | None known | Unknown Son of Skalmantas (?) | Unknown | 1291 | Possibly a relative ofDaumantas |
| Grand Duke Butvydas 1291 – 1295 |  | None known | Unknown Son of Skalmantas (?) | Unknown | c. 1294–1295 | Brother ofButigeidis |
| Grand Duke Vytenis 1295 – 1316 |  | None known | 1260 Son ofButvydas | Vikinda 1 child | 1316 Aged 56 | Son ofButvydas |
| Grand Duke Gediminas 1316 – 1341 |  | None known | c. 1275 Son ofButvydas | Jaunė 13 children | c. 1341 Raudonė Aged about 66 | Son ofButvydas |
| Grand Duke Jaunutis 1341 – 1345 |  | None known | c. 1306−1309 Son ofGediminas andJaunė | Unknown 3 children | c. 1366 Aged 57−60 | Son ofGediminas |
| Grand Duke (Diarchy with Kęstutis) Algirdas 1345 – 1377 |  |  | c. 1296 Son ofGediminas andJaunė | (1)Maria of Vitebsk 6 children (2)Uliana of Tver 8 children | c. 1377 Maišiagala Aged about 81 | Right of conquest Son ofGediminas |
| Grand Duke (Diarchy with Kęstutis) Jogaila Algirdaitis May 1377 – August 1381 | .jpg) |  | c. 1352−1362 Vilnius Son ofAlgirdas andUliana of Tver | (1)Jadwiga of Poland No children (2)Anna of Cilli 1 child (3)Elizabeth Granowska No children (4)Sophia of Halshany 2 children | 1 June 1434 Gródek Jagielloński Aged 72−82 | Son ofAlgirdas |
| Grand Duke Kęstutis 1381 – 1382 |  | | c. 1297 Senieji Trakai Son ofGediminas andJaunė | Birutė 3 children | 1382 Kreva Murdered by the order of Jogaila while imprisoned Aged 84–85 | Right of conquest Son ofGediminas |
| Grand Duke Jogaila Algirdaitis 3 August 1382 – 1 June 1434 (51 years, 302 days) | | | c. 1352−1362 Vilnius Son ofAlgirdas andUliana of Tver | (1)Jadwiga of Poland No children (2)Anna of Cilli 1 child (3)Elizabeth Granowska No children (4)Sophia of Halshany 2 children | 1 June 1434 Gródek Jagielloński Aged 72−82 | Right of conquest Son ofAlgirdas |
| Act of Kreva signed in 1385 Poland andLithuaniade jure are ruled by one monarch but remain to be separate states. | ||||||
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Jogaila Algirdaitis 3 August 1382 – 1 June 1434 (51 years, 302 days) | | | c. 1352−1362 Vilnius Son ofAlgirdas andUliana of Tver | (1)Jadwiga of Poland No children (2)Anna of Cilli 1 child (3)Elizabeth Granowska No children (4)Sophia of Halshany 2 children | 1 June 1434 Gródek Jagielloński Aged 72−82 | Son ofAlgirdas |
| Grand Duke Skirgaila 1386 – 1392 | .jpg) | | c. 1353–1354 Vilnius Son ofAlgirdas andUliana of Tver | Unmarried and childless | 11 January 1397 Kyiv Possibly poisoned by the order of the Russian Orthodox priests Aged 42−44 | Offered byJogaila Son ofAlgirdas Removed byJogaila |
| Astrava Agreement signed in 1392 Following theLithuanian Civil War, Vytautas and his successorsde jure act as regents of the king of Poland until 1440. | ||||||
| Grand Duke King-elect of Lithuania Vytautas Vytautas the Great 4 August 1392 – 27 October 1430 (38 years, 84 days) | .jpg) | | c. 1350 Senieji Trakai Son ofKęstutis andBirutė | (1)Anna 1 child (2)Uliana Olshanska No children | 27 October 1430 Trakai Aged about 80 | Offered byJogaila Son ofKęstutis |
| Grand Duke Švitrigaila October 1430 – 1 August 1432 |  | | Before 1370 Vilnius Son ofAlgirdas andUliana of Tver | Anna of Tver 1 child | 10 February 1452 Lutsk Aged about 82 | Son ofAlgirdas |
| Grand Duke Sigismund Kęstutaitis Lithuanian:Žygimantas Kęstutaitis 1432 – 1440 | .jpg) | | 1365 Trakai Son ofKęstutis andBirutė | Unknown 1 child | 20 March 1440 Trakai Murdered by supporters of Švitrigaila Aged 75 | Son ofKęstutis |
| Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Casimir IV Jagiellon Lithuanian:Kazimieras Jogailaitis 29 June 1440 – 7 June 1492 (51 years, 344 days) | .jpg) | | 30 November 1427 Kraków Son ofJogaila Algirdaitis andSophia of Halshany | Elisabeth of Austria 12 children | 7 June 1492 Old Grodno Castle Aged 64 | Son ofJogaila |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Alexander Jagiellon Lithuanian:Aleksandras Jogailaitis 30 July 1492 – 19 August 1506 (14 years, 20 days) | .jpg) | | 5 August 1461 Kraków Son ofKazimieras Jogailaitis and Elisabeth of Austria | Helena of Moscow No children | 19 August 1506 Vilnius Aged 45 | Son ofCasimir IV Jagiellon |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Sigismund I Sigismund I the Old Lithuanian:Žygimantas Senasis 8 December 1506 – 1 April 1548 (41 years, 115 days) |  | | 1 January 1467 Kozienice Son ofKazimieras Jogailaitis and Elisabeth of Austria | (1)Barbara Zápolya 2 children (2)Bona Sforza 6 children | 1 April 1548 Kraków Aged 81 | Son ofCasimir IV Jagiellon |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Sigismund II Augustus Lithuanian:Žygimantas Augustas 1 April 1548 – 7 July 1572 (24 years, 97 days) |  | | 1 August 1520 Kraków Son ofŽygimantas the Old andBona Sforza | (1)Elisabeth of Austria No children (2)Barbara Radziwiłł No children (3)Catherine of Austria No children | 7 July 1572 Knyszyn Aged 51 | Son ofSigismund I |
| Union of Lublin signed in 1569 Poland andLithuania are united into a singleCommonwealth. | ||||||
| Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Sigismund II Augustus Lithuanian:Žygimantas Augustas 1 July 1569 – 7 July 1572 (24 years, 98 days) | | | 1 August 1520 Kraków Son ofŽygimantas the Old andBona Sforza | (3)Elisabeth of Austria Barbara Radziwiłł Catherine of Austria | 7 July 1572 Knyszyn Aged 51 | Hereditary First monarch to introduce elective monarchy | Jagiellon |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Henry Lithuanian:Henrikas Valua 16 May 1573 – 12 May 1575 (1 year, 362 days) |  |  | 19 September 1551 Fontainebleau Son ofHenry II andCatherine de' Medici | (1)Louise of Lorraine, no children | 2 August 1589 Saint-Cloud Aged 37 | Elected Left Poland in June 1574 to succeed hisbrother in France Interregnum until 1575 | Valois |
| Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess Anna Lithuanian:Ona Jogailaitė 15 December 1575 – 19 August 1587 (de facto) (11 years, 248 days) – 9 September 1596 (de jure) (20 years, 270 days) |  | | 18 October 1523 Kraków Daughter ofSigismund I andBona Sforza | (1)Stephen Báthory, no children | 9 September 1596 Warsaw Aged 72 | Elected co-monarch withStephen Báthory Sole ruler until Báthory's arrival and coronation in May 1576 Ruled after husband's death until her nephew was elected | Jagiellon |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Stephen Báthory Lithuanian:Steponas Batoras 1 May 1576 – 12 December 1586 (10 years, 226 days) |  |  | 27 September 1533 Szilágysomlyó (Șimleu Silvaniei) Son ofStephen Báthory of Somlyó andCatherine Telegdi | (1)Anna Jagiellon, no children | 12 December 1586 Grodno Aged 53 | Elected as co-monarch withAnna Jagiellon Previously Prince ofTransylvania | Báthory |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Sigismund III Lithuanian:Zigmantas Vaza 19 August 1587 – 30 April 1632 (44 years, 256 days) |  |  | 20 June 1566 Gripsholm Son ofJohn III of Sweden andCatherine Jagiellon | (1)Anne of Austria (2)Constance of Austria | 30 April 1632 Warsaw Aged 65 | Elected, nephew of Anna Jagiellon Transferred capital fromKraków to Warsaw Hereditary King ofSweden until deposition in 1599 | Vasa |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Władysław IV alsoLadislaus IV Lithuanian:Vladislovas Vaza 8 November 1632 – 20 May 1648 (15 years, 195 days) |  | | 9 June 1595 Łobzów Son ofSigismund III andAnne of Austria | (1)Cecilia Renata of Austria (2)Marie Louise Gonzaga | 20 May 1648 Merkinė Aged 52 | Elective succession Also titular King of Sweden and elected Tsar of Russia (1610–1613) when the Polish army capturedMoscow | Vasa |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke John II Casimir Lithuanian:Jonas Kazimieras Vaza 20 November 1648 – 16 September 1668 (19 years, 302 days) |  | | 22 March 1609 Kraków Son ofSigismund III andConstance of Austria | (1)Marie Louise Gonzaga (2)Claudine Françoise Mignot (morganatic marriage) | 16 December 1672 Nevers Aged 63 | Elective succession, succeeded half-brother Previously acardinal Disputed withCharles X Gustav between 1655–1657 Titular King of Sweden Abdicated | Vasa |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Michael I Lithuanian:Mykolas Kaributas Višnioveckis 19 June 1669 – 10 November 1673 (4 years, 145 days) |  |  | 31 May 1640 Biały Kamień Son ofJeremi Wiśniowiecki andGryzelda Konstancja Zamoyska | (1)Eleonora Maria of Austria, no children | 10 November 1673 Lwów Aged 33 | Elected Born into nobility of mixed heritage, the son of a military commander and governor | Wiśniowiecki |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke John III Sobieski Lithuanian:Jonas Sobieskis 19 May 1674 – 17 June 1696 (22 years, 30 days) |  |  | 17 August 1629 Olesko Son ofJakub Sobieski andTeofila Zofia | (1)Marie Casimire d'Arquien, 13 children | 17 June 1696 Wilanów Aged 66 | Elected Born into nobility A successful military commander | Sobieski |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Augustus II Lithuanian:Augustas II Stiprusis 15 September 1697 – 1706 (1st reign, 9 years) |  |  | 12 May 1670 Dresden Son ofJohn George III andPrincess Anna Sophie of Denmark | (1)Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife | 1 February 1733 Warsaw Aged 62 | Elected Previously Elector and ruler ofSaxony Dethroned byStanislaus I in 1706 during theGreat Northern War | Wettin |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Stanislaus I Lithuanian:Stanislovas I Leščinskis 12 July 1704 – 8 July 1709 (1st reign, 4 years, 362 days) |  |  | 20 October 1677 Lwów Son ofRafał Leszczyński andAnna Jabłonowska | (1)Catherine Opalińska, 2 children | 23 February 1766 Lunéville Aged 88 | Usurped Nominated as ruler in 1704, crowned in 1705 and deposed predecessor in 1706 Exiled in 1709 | Leszczyński |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Augustus II Lithuanian:Augustas II Stiprusis 8 July 1709 – 1 February 1733 (2nd reign, 23 years, 209 days) | .jpg) | | 12 May 1670 Dresden Son ofJohn George III andPrincess Anna Sophie of Denmark | (1)Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, 1 son by wife | 1 February 1733 Warsaw Aged 62 | Restored | Wettin |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Stanislaus I Lithuanian:Stanislovas I Leščinskis 12 September 1733 – 26 January 1736 (2nd reign, 2 years, 137 days) |  | | 20 October 1677 Lwów Son ofRafał Leszczyński andAnna Jabłonowska | (1)Catherine Opalińska, 2 children | 23 February 1766 Lunéville Aged 88 | Elected His election sparked theWar of the Polish Succession Deposed byAugustus III in 1736 | Leszczyński |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Augustus III Lithuanian:Augustas III Saksas 5 October 1733 – 5 October 1763 (30 years) | _-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) | | 17 October 1696 Dresden Son ofAugustus II the Strong andChristiane Eberhardine | (1)Maria Josepha of Austria, 16 children | 5 October 1763 Dresden Aged 66 | Usurped Proclaimed King of Poland in 1733, crowned in 1734 Dethroned elected predecessor in 1736 | Wettin |
| King of Poland and Grand Duke Stanislaus II Augustus Lithuanian:Stanislovas Augustas II Poniatovskis 7 September 1764 – 25 November 1795 (31 years, 80 days) |  |  | 17 January 1732 Wołczyn Son ofStanisław Poniatowski andKonstancja Czartoryska | Unmarried | 1 February 1798 Saint Petersburg Aged 66 | Elected Born into nobility Last King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, his reign ended in thePartitions of Poland | Poniatowski |
| Name | Portrait | Arms | Birth | Marriage(s) | Death | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King-elect Mindaugas II 11 July 1918 – 2 November 1918 (115 days) |  |  | 30 May 1864 Monaco Son ofWilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach and Princess Florestine of Monaco | (1)Duchess Amalie in Bavaria 9 children (2) Princess Wiltrud of Bavaria No children | 24 March 1928 Rapallo Aged 63 | De jure restoration Offered by theLithuanian Council Offer withdrawn |
| Comparative reigns of Lithuanian monarchs |
|---|
 |
In 1564,King of Poland and Grand Duke of LithuaniaSigismund II Augustus renounced his rights to the hereditary Lithuanian throne—the separateinauguration ceremony andinsignia for Grand Duke of Lithuania were abolished. On 1 July 1569,Sigismund II Augustus united both of the countries into a single bi-federation, known as thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, which had existed for the next 226 years. The Union included constitutional changes such as creating a formalelective monarchy, which would simultaneously reign over both parties.[50] Following the death of Sigismund II in 1572, a joint Polish–Lithuanian monarch was to be elected as in the Union of Lublin it was agreed that the title "Grand Duke of Lithuania" will be received by a jointly elected monarch in theElection sejm on his accession to the throne, thus losing its former institutional significance, however the Union of Lublin guaranteed that the institution and the title "Grand Duke of Lithuania" will be preserved.[6][51] The demand of a separate inauguration ceremony of theGrand Duke of Lithuania was raised by the nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (e.g.Mikołaj "the Red" Radziwiłł,Eustachy Wołłowicz,Jan Karol Chodkiewicz,Konstanty Ostrogski) during the negotiations of the Union of Lublin, however it was not officially included into it.[52] Nevertheless, before the1576 Polish–Lithuanian royal election a congress of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's nobles was held on 20 April 1576 inGrodno which adopted an Universal, signed by the participating Lithuanian nobles, which announced that if the delegates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania will feel pressure from the Poles in theElection sejm, the Lithuanians will not be obliged by an oath of the Union of Lublin and will have the right to select a separate monarch.[44] On 29 May 1580, a ceremony was held in theVilnius Cathedral during which bishopMerkelis Giedraitis presentedStephen Báthory (King of Poland since 1 May 1576) aluxuriously decorated sword and a hat adorned with pearls (both were sanctified byPope Gregory XIII himself), while this ceremony manifested the sovereignty of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and had the meaning ofelevation of the new Grand Duke of Lithuania, this way ignoring the stipulations of the Union of Lublin.[53][46][54][55] During theDeluge of theSecond Northern War, the Commonwealth temporarily disintegrated in 1655 when the magnates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania signed theUnion of Kėdainiai with theSwedish Empire[56] and became itsprotectorate withCharles X Gustav serving as Grand Duke of Lithuania.[57] It was short-lived because Sweden lost the war.[56] The Commonwealth permanently ceased to exist in 1795, following itsthird partition by the neighbouring powers,Prussia,Russia andAustria. Following the partitions, the lands of ethnic Lithuania were divided—Lithuania proper became a part of theRussian Empire whileSudovia became a part of theKingdom of Prussia.
As the conquests ofPrussia by theTeutonic Order and ofLivonia by theLivonian Brothers were coming to an end, both Catholic religious orders began posing an existential threat to then-pagan Lithuania. In response, Duke Mindaugas, who by then had managed to strengthen his grip in various Baltic and Slavic lands, sought to consolidate power and unite Lithuania into one political entity,convert to Christianity, and become king.[58] In 1250 or 1251, he was baptised as a Roman Catholic. In 1253, probably in Vilnius orNovogrudok,[3] he and his wifeMorta were crowned King and Queen, thus establishing a short-lived alliance with theLivonian Order. This laid the basis for the international recognition of the newly created Kingdom of Lithuania as a Western country.
Some historical documents suggest that at the time of signing theTreaty of Salynas in 1398, Lithuanian nobles had acknowledged Vytautas as their King as a symbolic declaration of allegiance.[59] Vytautas himself sought to officially establish his reign by coronation at least three times.[3] All three attempts were unsuccessful because the political situation was much more complicated—by this point theGrand Duchy of Lithuania and theKingdom of Poland were under a joint rule of Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of PolandJogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło) with the Crown being inKraków, Poland. As a consequence, the idea of a fully-fledged Lithuanian monarchy as well as Poland losing its influence over its neighbour was met with fierce resistance from the Polish nobles.[3] The first time coronation was planned on 8 September 1430, but after one of the delegations that transported the crown learned that the first delegation was robbed on its way to Lithuania, they returned toNuremberg. In the same year of October, Vytautas up until his death had planned his coronation at least two more times but with no success.[3]
In 1526, theLithuanian Council of Lords suggested KingSigismund I the Old to grant the Grand Duchy of Lithuania the status of a kingdom, but such a proposal was rejected by the ruling Jagiellonian dynasty.[60]
During theFirst World War, theGerman Empire wantedLithuania proper to be annexed and become a part of eitherPrussia orSaxony,[61] which for 123 years remained to be a part of theRussian Empire following theThird Partition of the Polish−Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. In an attempt to avoid becoming a province but remain on good terms with Germany, theCouncil of Lithuania decided to establish a separate constitutional monarchy withWilhelm von Urach as King with his residence being inVerkiai Palace. According to the twelve-point document resembling the rudiments of a Constitution, the Kingdom of Lithuania was supposed to have had abicameral legislature with a representative role of the monarch. Wilhelm von Urach was also presented with conditions such as adopting the title of Mindaugas II, letting his children to a Lithuanian school, only appointingcourtiers, ministers and other high-ranking public officials who are Lithuanian citizens and speak the country'sofficial language as well as not leaving the state for more than two months per year without the permission of the government. As the war ended, it became clear that Germany was losing. On 5 October 1918, in theReichstag, the newChancellor of GermanyMaximilian of Baden announced that his state acknowledged the right of nations toself-determination and supported their efforts of becoming independent countries.[62] Soon afterwards, Germany expressed its official support for the independence of Lithuania.[62] Furthermore, the diplomats ofFrance had also unambiguously proclaimed to the Council of Lithuania and theParliament that having a monarch of German descent would be seen as unacceptable.[63] On 2 November 1918, as it became apparent that King-elect Mindaugas himself was hesitant to arrive in Lithuania for his coronation due to political unrest, the Council decided to abandon the idea of being asatellite monarchy and establish a fully independentrepublic instead.
Although there are nomonarchist parties in modern Lithuania, there is a monarchist movement, which is in favor of re-establishing the short-lived monarchy of 1918.[31] The movement alongside the Lithuanian Royal Union of Nobility believe that the current Lithuanian state did not undergo all of the complicated and necessary procedures to truly abolish the Lithuanian monarchy.[64] According to the senate marshal of the organization "Palace of the Kingdom of Lithuania", Stanislovas Švedarauskas:
Can we present the specific date when the Kingdom of Lithuania of theMiddle Ages ceased to exist and when did the Lithuanian 20th-century constitutional monarchy end? In the words of historians, when Mindaugas I died in 1263, the Kingdom had disappeared as well. However, after almost 100 years, in the 14th century, Gediminas would send his letters proclaiming to be "King of Lithuanians and many Ruthenians." In November 1918, the State Council left the question of Mindaugas II to theConstituent Assembly. And while it is true that the latter declared Lithuania to be a democratic republic on 15 May 1920, I have never heard of the Constituent Assembly officially denouncing the State Council's declaration of 11 July 1918, which called to create a constitutional monarchy in Lithuania and invite Mindaugas II to take his throne.[64]
Political commentator Česlovas Iškauskas responded:
In 1918,Germany exerted great influence. But now the idea of re-establishing the constitutional monarchy as well as the activities of the "Palace of the Kingdom of Lithuania" to me seems like a game when you have nothing better to do. At the moment Lithuania has much more important issues—it needs to think how to withstand current threats, not about a new monarchy.[65]
Prince Inigo von Urach, the grandson ofWilhelm von Urach (Mindaugas II), claims that according toAlmanach de Gotha he remains to be the rightful claimant to the Lithuanian throne[66] and is willing to become King of Lithuania, if the nation wants him to. To quote him from an interview forLRT, "It's not my thing to decide it [the idea of officially being crowned King], that's the thing of the population here, of the citizens of Lithuania. It's not my thing [to decide]. But I promise—if they want me, I would be ready for this job."[31][67] He also mentioned that Wilhelm von Urach expressed his will in his Testament of "keeping the claim of the throne" of Lithuania as well asMonaco.[67]
Nepaisant prie karalaičio buvusių lenkų ponų prieštaravimo, 1440 06 29 Kazimieras Jogailaitis Vilniaus katedroje buvo vainikuotas Lietuvos didžiuoju kunigaikščiu. (...) Šis lietuvių vienašališkai įvykdytas aktas rodė Gardine 1432 pasirašyto sąjungos akto sulaužymą. (...) Tuo būdu 1440 buvo nutraukta Lenkijos ir Lietuvos sąjunga.
Kazimiero vainikavimas didžiuoju kunigaikščiu, Vilniaus vyskupui uždedant vadinamąją „Gedimino kepurę", manifestavo suverenią Lietuvos valstybė; tas pats Kazimieras vėliau pabrėždavo esąsas „laisvas ponas" (pan – dominus).
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