Traidenis

Traidenis (; ; died 1282) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from around late 1267 to 1268 until 1282. He is the second most prominent grand duke of Lithuania in the 13th century after Mindaugas. His reign ended a seven-year unrest period after Mindaugas was assassinated in 1263 and firmly established the Grand Duchy as a pagan state for another hundred years.

Traidenis expanded the Grand Duchy into the territories of Sudovians and Semigalians and strengthened its presence in Black Ruthenia. Unlike Mindaugas, Traidenis did not concentrate on expansion into the east.

Biography

The circumstances surrounding Traidenis' advance to power are not clear. While his ancestors are unknown, it is known that he came from Aukštaitija, as he was Duke of Kernavė. From the outset his relationships with Galicia–Volhynia were tense as he replaced Shvarn, Duke of Galicia–Volhynia and Lithuania. The exact date of his rise to power is not known as according to the chronicle of Galicia-Volhynia Shvarn died before his uncle Vasilko (Who died between 1268 and 1269). The same source says Traidenis ruled for 12 years, and yet he was certainly alive in late 1281. Moreover, Shvarn disappears after 1267 meaning he either died or became politically incapable. At the same time Daumantas of Pskov stopped attacking Lithuania and Traidenis' enemy the noble Stuksė fled the country, meaning Traidenis likely seized power right after the death of Vaišvilkas in late 1267. At first Traidenis had relatively cordial relations with Galicia-Volhynia, but eventually tensions rose and led to the 1274–1276 war which began when Lithuania seized Drohiczyn. Despite Mongol support to Galicia–Volhynia, Traidenis was successful in battle and his control over Black Ruthenia ( Novogrudok, Grodno, Slonim, and other cities) was strengthened, although he did write of Slonim and Volkovysk to Volhynia. Traidenis also made incursions into Poland, especially the surroundings of Lublin and Łęczyca, that continued to about 1306. However, these raids did not affect Masovia as Traidenis established a dynastic link through his daughter Gaudemunda with its dukes. This dynastic relationship was further developed by Gediminas.

Traidenis, known for his devotion to paganism and anti-German attitude, was also successful in fighting with the Livonian Order. In 1270 he won the Battle of Karuse, fought on ice near Saaremaa, and killed Otto von Lutterberg, master of the Order. A new master, Andreas von Westfalen, sought a quick revenge, but was also killed by Traidenis. However, by 1272 the Order retaliated, attacking Semigalia and building Dinaburg Castle in 1273 on lands nominally controlled by Traidenis. Despite four siege engines used to throw stones, he was unable to capture the new fortress and had to retreat in 1278. In 1279 the order attacked Lithuanian lands, reaching as far as Kernavė, but on their way back they suffered a great defeat in the Battle of Aizkraukle. The Order's master, Ernst von Rassburg, became the third master to be killed by Traidenis. The defeat encouraged conquered Semigallians to rebel. The Semigalians, led by Nameisis, were now willing to acknowledge Lithuania's superiority and asked Traidenis for assistance. In 1281, Traidenis conquered Jersika Castle in the present-day Preiļi district, and was able to exchange it for Dinaburg Castle. However, Traidenis died soon afterwards, and assistance to Semigalians, exhausted by constant warfare. The exact circumstances of Traidens' death are unkown. He is last mentioned in the Autumn of 1281, so historians believe that the next year he probably died. His death was likely nit natural as immedeatly after the Spring of 1282 Lithuania's foreign policy strategy changes drastically, it suddenly attacks Traidenis' former allies and shifts atention to the east rather than south and North.

Family

;Brothers
* Bardis, Liesis, and Svalkenis were Eastern Orthodox and died in fights with Galicia–Volhynia
* Sirputis assisted his brother in military campaigns
;Daughter
* Gaudemunda, married Bolesław II, Duke of Masovia, becoming Duchess of Masovia

References

Further reading

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1220s births
1282 deaths

Grand dukes of Lithuania