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The monarchy of Lithuania concerned the monarchical
head of state A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...
of Lithuania, which was established as an absolute and hereditary monarchy. Throughout Lithuania's history there were three ducal
dynasties A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A d ...
that managed to stay in power— House of Mindaugas,
House of Gediminas The family of Gediminas is a group of family members of Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania (ca. 1275–1341), who interacted in the 14th century. The family included the siblings, children, and grandchildren of the Grand Duke and played the pivot ...
, and House of Jagiellon. Despite this, the one and only King of Lithuania who has ever been crowned was King Mindaugas I, although there were two more instances of royal nobles who were not officially crowned due to unfortunate political circumstances, but ''
de jure In law and government, ''de jure'' ( ; , "by law") describes practices that are legally recognized, regardless of whether the practice exists in reality. In contrast, ("in fact") describes situations that exist in reality, even if not legally ...
'' received recognition abroad as kings of Lithuania from the
pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
or the Holy Roman emperor—
Vytautas the Great Vytautas (c. 135027 October 1430), also known as Vytautas the Great ( Lithuanian: ', be, Вітаўт, ''Vitaŭt'', pl, Witold Kiejstutowicz, ''Witold Aleksander'' or ''Witold Wielki'' Ruthenian: ''Vitovt'', Latin: ''Alexander Vitoldus'', O ...
by Sigismund of LuxembourgNadveckė, Ineta (6 July 2019
Trys Lietuvos karaliai: vienas tikras, vienas nelabai ir vienas beveik
'' LRT''. and Mindaugas II by
Pope Benedict XV Pope Benedict XV (Latin: ''Benedictus XV''; it, Benedetto XV), born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, name=, group= (; 21 November 185422 January 1922), was head of the Catholic Church from 1914 until his death in January 1922. His ...
, respectively. Others were seen as kings of Lithuania even though they had only considered it and never took further action to claim the throne, as in the case of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...
who was recognised as King of Lithuania by Pope John XXII. The hereditary monarchy in Lithuania was first established in the 13th century during the reign of Mindaugas I and officially re-established as a
constitutional monarchy A constitutional monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in decision making. Constitutional monarchies dif ...
on 11 July 1918, only to be abandoned soon afterwards on 2 November 1918. Lithuania in the present day is a
representative democracy Representative democracy, also known as indirect democracy, is a type of democracy where elected people represent a group of people, in contrast to direct democracy. Nearly all modern Western-style democracies function as some type of represe ...
in a semi-presidential system based on
popular sovereignty Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power. Popular sovereignty, being a principle, does not imply any ...
, as defined in the current
Constitution of Lithuania The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucija) defines the legal foundation for all laws passed in the Republic of Lithuania. It was approved in a referendum on 25 October 1992. History Statutes of Lithu ...
, and has no monarchy.


List of monarchs of Lithuania


House of Mindaugas (1236–1267)

, - , King

1236
–
1253
''(as Grand Duke)''
1253
–
1263
''(as King)'', , , ,
Son of mythological
Ringaudas Ryngold or Ringaudas was a mythological Grand Duke of Lithuania from the Palemonids legends and supposed father of Mindaugas, the first King of Lithuania (1251–1263). In fact, there is nothing known about Mindaugas' father from reliable source ...
, , NN, sister of Morta
2 children
Morta
2 children , , 1263
Aglona , nickname = , settlement_type = Village , motto = , image_skyline =Aglona Basilica.jpg , imagesize = , image_caption = Aglona Basilica , image_flag = , flag_siz ...

Assassinated by
Treniota Treniota ( be, Транята; ''Troniata''; c. 1210–1264) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1263–1264). Treniota was the nephew of Mindaugas, the first and only king of Lithuania. While Mindaugas had converted to Christianity in order to di ...

and
Daumantas Daumantas ( Ruthenian: ''Dowmont'' or ''Domont''; be, Daǔmont; russian: Довмонт) is a given name and a surname. It is the name of two early dukes of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Because they were contemporaries, they are often confused with ...

Aged about 60 , ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Son of mythological
Ringaudas Ryngold or Ringaudas was a mythological Grand Duke of Lithuania from the Palemonids legends and supposed father of Mindaugas, the first King of Lithuania (1251–1263). In fact, there is nothing known about Mindaugas' father from reliable source ...
, - , Grand Duke

1263
–
1264, , , , ''Unknown''
Son of NN,
Mindaugas' sister
and Vykintas , , ''Unknown''
1 child , , 1264
Murdered by servants
loyal to Mindaugas' son
Vaišvilkas Vaišvilkas or Vaišelga (also spelled as ''Vaišvila'', ''Vojszalak'', ''Vojšalk'', ''Vaišalgas''; killed on 18 April 1267) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1264–1267). He was son of Mindaugas, the first and only Christian King of Lithu ...
, ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Nephew of
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
, - , Grand Duke

Laurušas
1264
–
1267, , , , ''Unknown''
Son of
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...

and Morta , , Unmarried and
childless, , 1268
Was murdered
by Leo I of Galicia , ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Son of
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
, -


House of Monomakh Monomakhovichi or House of Monomakh was a major princely branch of the Rurik dynasty, descendants of which managed to inherit practically all princely titles in the Grand Duchy of Kiev. The progenitor of the house is Vladimir II Monomakh (son of ...
(1267–1269)

, - , Grand Duke

lt, Švarnas
1267
–
1269, , , ,
Halych Halych ( uk, Га́лич ; ro, Halici; pl, Halicz; russian: Га́лич, Galich; german: Halytsch, ''Halitsch'' or ''Galitsch''; yi, העליטש) is a historic city on the Dniester River in western Ukraine. The city gave its name to the P ...
Son of Daniel of Galicia , , NN, daughter of Mindaugas
No children , ,
Kholm
Aged about 39 , , Offered by
Vaišvilkas Vaišvilkas or Vaišelga (also spelled as ''Vaišvila'', ''Vojszalak'', ''Vojšalk'', ''Vaišalgas''; killed on 18 April 1267) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1264–1267). He was son of Mindaugas, the first and only Christian King of Lithu ...
Brother-in-law
of
Vaišvilkas Vaišvilkas or Vaišelga (also spelled as ''Vaišvila'', ''Vojszalak'', ''Vojšalk'', ''Vaišalgas''; killed on 18 April 1267) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1264–1267). He was son of Mindaugas, the first and only Christian King of Lithu ...
, -


House of Mindaugas (1269–1285)

, - , Grand Duke

1270
–
1282, , , , 1220 , , Ona of Masovia
1 child, , 1282
Kernavė Kernavė was a medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and today is a tourist attraction and an archeological site (population 272, 2011). It is located in the Širvintos district municipality located in southeast Lithuania. A Lithuania ...

Aged 62 , ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Possibly a relative
of
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
, - , Grand Duke

1282
–
1285, , , , ''Unknown'' , , ''Unknown'' , , 3 March 1285
Died in a battle by
Tver Tver ( rus, Тверь, p=tvʲerʲ) is a city and the administrative centre of Tver Oblast, Russia. It is northwest of Moscow. Population: Tver was formerly the capital of a powerful medieval state and a model provincial town in the Russian ...
, , Possibly a son
of
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
, -


House of Gediminas The family of Gediminas is a group of family members of Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania (ca. 1275–1341), who interacted in the 14th century. The family included the siblings, children, and grandchildren of the Grand Duke and played the pivot ...
(1285–1440)

, - , Grand Duke

1285
–
1291, , , , ''None known'' , , ''Unknown''
Son of
Skalmantas (?) , , ''Unknown'' , , 1291 , , Possibly a relative
of
Daumantas Daumantas ( Ruthenian: ''Dowmont'' or ''Domont''; be, Daǔmont; russian: Довмонт) is a given name and a surname. It is the name of two early dukes of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Because they were contemporaries, they are often confused with ...
, - , Grand Duke

1291
–
1295, , , , ''None known'' , , ''Unknown''
Son of
Skalmantas (?) , , ''Unknown'' , , , , Brother of Butigeidis , - , Grand Duke

1295
–
1316, , , , ''None known'' , , 1260
Son of
Butvydas Butvydas or Pukuveras ( be, Будзівід (Budzivid); also known as Боудивидъ, ''Liutauras'', Пукувер (Pukuvier) ''Pukuwer'' or ''Pucuwerus'') (died 1295) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1292 to 1295. His influence was stro ...
, , Vikinda
1 child, , 1316
Aged 56 , , Son of
Butvydas Butvydas or Pukuveras ( be, Будзівід (Budzivid); also known as Боудивидъ, ''Liutauras'', Пукувер (Pukuvier) ''Pukuwer'' or ''Pucuwerus'') (died 1295) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1292 to 1295. His influence was stro ...
, - , Grand Duke

1316
–
1341, , , , ''None known'' , ,
Son of
Butvydas Butvydas or Pukuveras ( be, Будзівід (Budzivid); also known as Боудивидъ, ''Liutauras'', Пукувер (Pukuvier) ''Pukuwer'' or ''Pucuwerus'') (died 1295) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1292 to 1295. His influence was stro ...
, ,
Jaunė Jaunė ( be, Еўна, lt, Jaunė, literally, ''young woman'' in Lithuanian; died ca. 1344) was daughter of Prince Ivan of Polatsk and wife of Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1316–1341). She is mentioned in written sources only once – ...

13 children , ,
Raudonė
Aged about 66 , , Son of
Butvydas Butvydas or Pukuveras ( be, Будзівід (Budzivid); also known as Боудивидъ, ''Liutauras'', Пукувер (Pukuvier) ''Pukuwer'' or ''Pucuwerus'') (died 1295) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1292 to 1295. His influence was stro ...
, - , Grand Duke

1341
–
1345, , , , ''None known'' , ,
Son of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...

and
Jaunė Jaunė ( be, Еўна, lt, Jaunė, literally, ''young woman'' in Lithuanian; died ca. 1344) was daughter of Prince Ivan of Polatsk and wife of Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1316–1341). She is mentioned in written sources only once – ...
, , ''Unknown''
3 children , ,
Aged 57−60 , , Son of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...
, - , Grand Duke
''(
Diarchy Diarchy (from ancient Greek, Greek , ''di-'', "double", and , ''-arkhía'', "ruled"),Occasionally misspelled ''dyarchy'', as in the ''Encyclopaedia Britannica'' article on the colonial British institution duarchy, or duumvirate (from Latin ', ...
with Kęstutis)''

1345
–
1377 , , , , , ,
Son of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...

and
Jaunė Jaunė ( be, Еўна, lt, Jaunė, literally, ''young woman'' in Lithuanian; died ca. 1344) was daughter of Prince Ivan of Polatsk and wife of Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1316–1341). She is mentioned in written sources only once – ...
, ,
Maria of Vitebsk Maria of Vitebsk (died before 1349) was the first wife of Algirdas, future Grand Duke of Lithuania (marriage took place around 1318). Very little is known about her life. The only child of a Russian prince Yaroslav, Maria was the only heir to the P ...

6 children
Uliana of Tver Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver (russian: Юлиания Александровна Тверская; – 17 March 1391) was a daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and Anastasia of Halych (daughter of Yuri I of Galicia). She was the second wif ...

8 children, ,
Maišiagala Maišiagala ( pl, Mejszagoła) is a historic town in Vilnius district municipality, Lithuania. It is located about northwest of Vilnius city municipality near the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway. According to the 2021 census, it had a population o ...

Aged about 81 , ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Son of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...
, - , Grand Duke
''(
Diarchy Diarchy (from ancient Greek, Greek , ''di-'', "double", and , ''-arkhía'', "ruled"),Occasionally misspelled ''dyarchy'', as in the ''Encyclopaedia Britannica'' article on the colonial British institution duarchy, or duumvirate (from Latin ', ...
with Kęstutis)''

May 1377
–
August 1381, , , , , ,
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional urb ...
Son of Algirdas
and
Uliana of Tver Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver (russian: Юлиания Александровна Тверская; – 17 March 1391) was a daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and Anastasia of Halych (daughter of Yuri I of Galicia). She was the second wif ...
, ,
Jadwiga of Poland Jadwiga (; 1373 or 137417 July 1399), also known as Hedwig ( hu, Hedvig), was the first woman to be crowned as monarch of the Kingdom of Poland. She reigned from 16 October 1384 until her death. She was the youngest daughter of Louis the Grea ...

No children
Anna of Cilli Anna of Cilli or Anne of Celje (1386 – 21 May 1416) was Queen of Poland (1402–1416). She was the second wife of Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), King of Poland and Supreme Duke of Lithuania (reigned 1387–1434). Their marriage was po ...

1 child
Elizabeth Granowska
No children
Sophia of Halshany
2 children , , 1 June 1434
Gródek Jagielloński
Aged 72−82 , , Son of Algirdas , - , Grand Duke

1381
–
1382 , , , , , ,
Senieji Trakai
Son of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...

and
Jaunė Jaunė ( be, Еўна, lt, Jaunė, literally, ''young woman'' in Lithuanian; died ca. 1344) was daughter of Prince Ivan of Polatsk and wife of Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1316–1341). She is mentioned in written sources only once – ...
, , Birutė
3 children, , 1382
Kreva
Murdered by the
order of Jogaila while imprisoned
Aged 84–85 , ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Son of
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...
, - , Grand Duke

3 August 1382
–
1 June 1434
''()'', , , , , ,
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional urb ...
Son of Algirdas
and
Uliana of Tver Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver (russian: Юлиания Александровна Тверская; – 17 March 1391) was a daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and Anastasia of Halych (daughter of Yuri I of Galicia). She was the second wif ...
, ,
Jadwiga of Poland Jadwiga (; 1373 or 137417 July 1399), also known as Hedwig ( hu, Hedvig), was the first woman to be crowned as monarch of the Kingdom of Poland. She reigned from 16 October 1384 until her death. She was the youngest daughter of Louis the Grea ...

No children
Anna of Cilli Anna of Cilli or Anne of Celje (1386 – 21 May 1416) was Queen of Poland (1402–1416). She was the second wife of Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), King of Poland and Supreme Duke of Lithuania (reigned 1387–1434). Their marriage was po ...

1 child
Elizabeth Granowska
No children
Sophia of Halshany
2 children , , 1 June 1434
Gródek Jagielloński
Aged 72−82 , ,
Right of conquest The right of conquest is a right of ownership to land after immediate possession via force of arms. It was recognized as a principle of international law that gradually deteriorated in significance until its proscription in the aftermath of Worl ...
Son of Algirdas , - , - ! colspan="7" , Act of Kreva signed in 1385
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...
and Lithuania ''de jure'' are ruled by one monarch but remain to be separate states. , - , King of Poland
and Grand Duke

3 August 1382
–
1 June 1434
''()'', , , , , ,
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional urb ...
Son of Algirdas
and
Uliana of Tver Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver (russian: Юлиания Александровна Тверская; – 17 March 1391) was a daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and Anastasia of Halych (daughter of Yuri I of Galicia). She was the second wif ...
, ,
Jadwiga of Poland Jadwiga (; 1373 or 137417 July 1399), also known as Hedwig ( hu, Hedvig), was the first woman to be crowned as monarch of the Kingdom of Poland. She reigned from 16 October 1384 until her death. She was the youngest daughter of Louis the Grea ...

No children
Anna of Cilli Anna of Cilli or Anne of Celje (1386 – 21 May 1416) was Queen of Poland (1402–1416). She was the second wife of Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), King of Poland and Supreme Duke of Lithuania (reigned 1387–1434). Their marriage was po ...

1 child
Elizabeth Granowska
No children
Sophia of Halshany
2 children , , 1 June 1434
Gródek Jagielloński
Aged 72−82 , , Son of Algirdas , - , - , Grand Duke

1386
–
1392 , , , , , ,
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional urb ...
Son of Algirdas
and
Uliana of Tver Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver (russian: Юлиания Александровна Тверская; – 17 March 1391) was a daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and Anastasia of Halych (daughter of Yuri I of Galicia). She was the second wif ...
, , Unmarried
and childless , , 11 January 1397
Kyiv Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2021, its population was 2,962,180, making Kyiv the seventh-most populous city in Europe. Kyi ...

Possibly poisoned
by the order of the
Russian Orthodox Russian Orthodoxy (russian: Русское православие) is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, whose liturgy is or was traditionally conducted in Church Slavonic language. Most ...
priests
Aged 43−44 , , Offered by Jogaila
Son of Algirdas , - , - ! colspan="7" , Astrava Agreement signed in 1392
Following the Lithuanian Civil War, Skirgaila is replaced by Vytautas. The latter and their successors ''de jure'' act as regents of the King of Poland until 1440. , - , Grand Duke
King-elect of Lithuania

Vytautas the Great
4 August 1392
–
27 October 1430
''()'', , , , , ,
Senieji Trakai
Son of
Kęstutis Kęstutis ( la, Kinstut, ; – 3 or 15 August 1382) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. He was the Duke of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–1382, together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila ...

and Birutė , , Anna
1 child
Uliana Olshanska
No children , , 27 October 1430
Trakai Trakai (; see names section for alternative and historic names) is a historic town and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. ...

Aged about 80 , , Offered by Jogaila
Son of
Kęstutis Kęstutis ( la, Kinstut, ; – 3 or 15 August 1382) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. He was the Duke of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–1382, together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila ...
, - , Grand Duke

October 1430
–
1 August 1432, , , , , , Before 1370
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional urb ...
Son of Algirdas
and
Uliana of Tver Uliana Alexandrovna of Tver (russian: Юлиания Александровна Тверская; – 17 March 1391) was a daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and Anastasia of Halych (daughter of Yuri I of Galicia). She was the second wif ...
, , Anna of Tver
1 child , , 10 February 1452
Lutsk Lutsk ( uk, Луцьк, translit=Lutsk}, ; pl, Łuck ; yi, לוצק, Lutzk) is a city on the Styr River in northwestern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Volyn Oblast (province) and the administrative center of the surrounding Lu ...

Aged about 82 , , Son of Algirdas , - , Grand Duke

lt, Žygimantas Kęstutaitis
1432
–
1440 , , , , , , 1365
Trakai Trakai (; see names section for alternative and historic names) is a historic town and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. ...
Son of
Kęstutis Kęstutis ( la, Kinstut, ; – 3 or 15 August 1382) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. He was the Duke of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–1382, together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila ...

and Birutė, , ''Unknown''
1 child, , 20 March 1440
Trakai Trakai (; see names section for alternative and historic names) is a historic town and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. ...

Murdered by supporters
of Švitrigaila
Aged 75 , , Son of
Kęstutis Kęstutis ( la, Kinstut, ; – 3 or 15 August 1382) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. He was the Duke of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–1382, together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila ...
, -


House of Jagiellon (1440–1569)

, - , King of Poland
and Grand Duke

lt, Kazimieras Jogailaitis
29 June 1440
–
7 June 1492
''()'', , , , , , 30 November 1427
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
Son of Jogaila Algirdaitis
and Sophia of Halshany , , Elisabeth of Austria
12 children , , 7 June 1492
Old Grodno Castle The Old Grodno Castle (also known as the ''Grodno Upper Castle'' and ''Bathory's Castle'') originated in the 11th century as the seat of a dynasty of Black Ruthenian rulers, descended from a younger son of Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev. History C ...

Aged 64 , , Son of Jogaila , - 1263 – 1265, , , , , , , , , King of Poland
and Grand Duke

lt, Aleksandras Jogailaitis
30 July 1492
–
19 August 1506
''()'', , , , , , 5 August 1461
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
Son of Kazimieras Jogailaitis and
Elisabeth of Austria , , Helena of Moscow
No children, , 19 August 1506
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional urb ...

Aged 45 , , Son of
Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir IV (in full Casimir IV Andrew Jagiellon; pl, Kazimierz IV Andrzej Jagiellończyk ; Lithuanian: ; 30 November 1427 – 7 June 1492) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447, until his death. He was one of the m ...
, - 1263 – 1265, , , , , , , , , King of Poland
and Grand Duke

Sigismund I the Old
lt, Žygimantas Senasis
8 December 1506
–
1 April 1548
''()'', , , , , , 1 January 1467
Kozienice
Son of Kazimieras Jogailaitis and
Elisabeth of Austria , , Barbara Zápolya
2 children
Bona Sforza
6 children, , 1 April 1548
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...

Aged 81 , , Son of
Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir IV (in full Casimir IV Andrew Jagiellon; pl, Kazimierz IV Andrzej Jagiellończyk ; Lithuanian: ; 30 November 1427 – 7 June 1492) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447, until his death. He was one of the m ...
, - 1263 – 1265, , , , , , , , , King of Poland
and Grand Duke

lt, Žygimantas Augustas
1 April 1548
–
7 July 1572
''()'' , , , , , , 1 August 1520
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
Son of Žygimantas the Old
and Bona Sforza , , Elisabeth of Austria
No children
Barbara Radziwiłł
No children
Catherine of Austria
No children, , 7 July 1572
Knyszyn Knyszyn ( be, Кнышин, yi, קנישין, translit=Knishin, lt, Knišinas) is a town in north-eastern Poland, northwest of Białystok. It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (since 1999), and was formerly in the Białystok Voivodeshi ...

Aged 51 , , Son of Sigismund I , - ! colspan="7" ,
Union of Lublin The Union of Lublin ( pl, Unia lubelska; lt, Liublino unija) was signed on 1 July 1569 in Lublin, Poland, and created a single state, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the largest countries in Europe at the time. It replaced the per ...
signed in 1569
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...
and Lithuania are united into a single Commonwealth. , - 1263 – 1265, , , , , , , ,


House of Urach A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condit ...
(1918)

, - , King-elect


–

''()'', , , , , , 30 May 1864
Monaco Monaco (; ), officially the Principality of Monaco (french: Principauté de Monaco; Ligurian: ; oc, Principat de Mónegue), is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Lig ...
Son of Wilhelm, 1st Duke of Urach and
Princess Florestine of Monaco , , Duchess Amalie in Bavaria
9 children
Princess Wiltrud of Bavaria
No children, , 24 March 1928
Rapallo Rapallo ( , , ) is a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Genoa, located in the Liguria region of northern Italy. As of 2017 it had 29,778 inhabitants. It lies on the Ligurian Sea coast, on the Tigullio Gulf, between Portofino and Chiav ...

Aged 63 , , ''De jure'' restoration
Offered by the
Lithuanian Council The Council of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Taryba, german: Litauischer Staatsrat, pl, Rada Litewska), after July 11, 1918 the State Council of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Valstybės Taryba) was convened at the Vilnius Conference that took place betw ...
Offer withdrawn , -


Timeline of Lithuanian monarchs

ImageSize=width:1250 height:auto barincrement:12 PlotArea=top:10 bottom:30 right:130 left:20 AlignBars=justify DateFormat=yyyy Period=from:1253 till:1569 TimeAxis=orientation:horizontal ScaleMajor=unit:year increment:100 start:1300 ScaleMinor=unit:year increment:25 start:1255 Colors= id:canvas value:rgb(1,1,1) id:min value:blue id:mon value:orange id:gd value:rgb(0.8,0.8,0.8) id:jg value:red id:eon value:Black Backgroundcolors=canvas:canvas BarData= barset:Rulers bar:eon PlotData= align:center textcolor:black fontsize:8 mark:(line,black) width:25 shift:(0,-5) bar:eon color:eon from: 1253 till: 1267 color: min text:
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
from: 1267 till: 1269 color: mon text: Monomakh from: 1269 till: 1285 color: min text:
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
from: 1285 till: 1440 color: gd text:
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...
from: 1440 till: 1569 color: jg text: Jagiellon width:5 align:left fontsize:S shift:(5,-4) anchor:till barset:Rulers from: 1253 till: 1263 color:min text:
Mindaugas Mindaugas (german: Myndowen, la, Mindowe, orv, Мендог, be, Міндоўг, pl, Mendog, c. 1203–1263) is the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only crowned King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or ...
from: 1263 till: 1264 color:min text:
Treniota Treniota ( be, Транята; ''Troniata''; c. 1210–1264) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1263–1264). Treniota was the nephew of Mindaugas, the first and only king of Lithuania. While Mindaugas had converted to Christianity in order to di ...
from: 1264 till: 1267 color:min text:
Vaišvilkas Vaišvilkas or Vaišelga (also spelled as ''Vaišvila'', ''Vojszalak'', ''Vojšalk'', ''Vaišalgas''; killed on 18 April 1267) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1264–1267). He was son of Mindaugas, the first and only Christian King of Lithu ...
from: 1267 till: 1269 color:mon text:
Shvarn Shvarn, Shvarno ( lt, Švarnas, uk, Шварно Данилович, translit=Shvarno Danylovych; c. 1230 – c. 1269), was the kniaz of western parts of Ruthenia (1264 – c. 1269) and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1267 – c. 1269). An influential l ...
from: 1270 till: 1282 color:min text:
Traidenis Traidenis ( pl, Trojden, be, Трайдзень) (died 1282) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1270 (or 1269) until 1282. He is the second most prominent, after Mindaugas, Grand Duke of Lithuania in the 13th century. His reign ended a seven-y ...
from: 1285 till: 1291 color:gd text: Butigeidis from: 1291 till: 1295 color:gd text:
Butvydas Butvydas or Pukuveras ( be, Будзівід (Budzivid); also known as Боудивидъ, ''Liutauras'', Пукувер (Pukuvier) ''Pukuwer'' or ''Pucuwerus'') (died 1295) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1292 to 1295. His influence was stro ...
from: 1295 till: 1316 color:gd text:
Vytenis Vytenis ( be, Віцень, Vicień; pl, Witenes) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from c. 1295 to c. 1316. He became the first of the Gediminid dynasty to rule for a considerable amount of time. In the early 14th century his reputation outshon ...
from: 1316 till: 1341 color:gd text:
Gediminas Gediminas ( la, Gedeminne, ; – December 1341) was the king or Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which later spanned the area ranging from t ...
from: 1341 till: 1345 color:gd text:
Jaunutis Jaunutis ( pl, Jawnuta, be, Яўнут; literally ''young man''; baptized: Ioann, "Jawnuta", "John" or "Ivan"; ca. 1300 – after 1366) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from his father Gediminas' death in 1341 until he was deposed by his elder bro ...
from: 1345 till: 1377 color:gd text: Algirdas from: 1377 till: 1381 color:jg text: Jogaila from: 1381 till: 1382 color:gd text:
Kęstutis Kęstutis ( la, Kinstut, ; – 3 or 15 August 1382) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. He was the Duke of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–1382, together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila ...
from: 1382 till: 1386 color:jg text: Jogaila (restored) from: 1386 till: 1392 color:gd text:
Skirgaila Skirgaila ( la, Schirgalo; be, Скіргайла; pl, Skirgiełło, also known as Ivan/Iwan; ca. 1353 or 1354 – 11 January 1397 in Kiev (Kyiv); baptized 1383/1384 as ''Casimir'') was a regent of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for his broth ...
from: 1392 till: 1430 color:gd text:
Vytautas Vytautas (c. 135027 October 1430), also known as Vytautas the Great ( Lithuanian: ', be, Вітаўт, ''Vitaŭt'', pl, Witold Kiejstutowicz, ''Witold Aleksander'' or ''Witold Wielki'' Ruthenian: ''Vitovt'', Latin: ''Alexander Vitoldus'', O ...
from: 1430 till: 1432 color:gd text:
Švitrigaila Švitrigaila (before 1370 – 10 February 1452; sometimes spelled Svidrigiello) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1430 to 1432. He spent most of his life in largely unsuccessful dynastic struggles against his cousins Vytautas and Sigismund K ...
from: 1432 till: 1440 color:gd text:
Sigismund Kęstutaitis Sigismund Kęstutaitis ( lt, Žygimantas I Kęstutaitis, pl, Zygmunt Kiejstutowicz; 136520 March 1440) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1432 to 1440. Sigismund was his baptismal name, while his pagan Lithuanian birth name is unknown. He was ...
from: 1440 till: 1492 color:jg text:
Casimir IV Jagiellon Casimir IV (in full Casimir IV Andrew Jagiellon; pl, Kazimierz IV Andrzej Jagiellończyk ; Lithuanian: ; 30 November 1427 – 7 June 1492) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447, until his death. He was one of the m ...
from: 1492 till: 1506 color:jg text:
Alexander Jagiellon Alexander Jagiellon ( pl, Aleksander Jagiellończyk, lt, Aleksandras Jogailaitis; 5 August 1461 – 19 August 1506) of the House of Jagiellon was the Grand Duke of Lithuania and later also King of Poland. He was the fourth son of Casimir IV Jag ...
from: 1506 till: 1548 color:jg text: Sigismund I the Old from: 1548 till: 1569 color:jg text:
Sigismund II Augustus Sigismund II Augustus ( pl, Zygmunt II August, lt, Žygimantas Augustas; 1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. He was the first ruler ...
barset:skip


Union of Lublin

In 1564, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania
Sigismund II Augustus Sigismund II Augustus ( pl, Zygmunt II August, lt, Žygimantas Augustas; 1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. He was the first ruler ...
renounced his rights to the hereditary Lithuanian throne—the separate inauguration ceremony and insignia of the Grand Duke of Lithuania were abolished. On July 1 1569,
Sigismund II Augustus Sigismund II Augustus ( pl, Zygmunt II August, lt, Žygimantas Augustas; 1 August 1520 – 7 July 1572) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548. He was the first ruler ...
united both of the countries into a single bi-
federation A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government ( federalism). In a federation, the self-govern ...
, known as the
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, formally known as the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and, after 1791, as the Commonwealth of Poland, was a bi- confederal state, sometimes called a federation, of Poland and Lithuania ru ...
, which had existed for the next 226 years. The Union included constitutional changes such as creating a formal elective monarchy, which would simultaneously reign over both parties.Norman Davies, ''God's Playground: A History of Poland in Two Volumes'', Oxford University Press, p.153. Two Podlasian officers were deprived of their lands and offices. Following the death of Sigismund II in 1572, the title "Grand Duke of Lithuania" was merged with the Polish Crown on accesssion to the throne, thus losing its former institutional significance. During the
Deluge A deluge is a large downpour of rain, often a flood. The Deluge refers to the flood narrative in the Biblical book of Genesis. Deluge may also refer to: History *Deluge (history), the Swedish and Russian invasion of the Polish-Lithuanian Com ...
of the Second Northern War, the Union temporarily disintegrated in 1655 when the magnates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ''de jure'' signed the Union of Kėdainiai with the
Swedish Empire The Swedish Empire was a European great power that exercised territorial control over much of the Baltic region during the 17th and early 18th centuries ( sv, Stormaktstiden, "the Era of Great Power"). The beginning of the empire is usually ta ...
.Frost (2000), p. 168 However, it was never implemented and short-lived due to Sweden losing the war. The Commonwealth permanently ceased to exist in 1795, following its third partition by the neighbouring powers,
Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an ...
,
Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
and
Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
. Following the partitions, the lands of ethnic Lithuania were divided— Lithuania proper became a part of the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
while Sudovia became a part of the
Kingdom of Prussia The Kingdom of Prussia (german: Königreich Preußen, ) was a German kingdom that constituted the state of Prussia between 1701 and 1918. Marriott, J. A. R., and Charles Grant Robertson. ''The Evolution of Prussia, the Making of an Empire''. ...
.


Titles


King

The full title of the Lithuanian king from 1253 to 1263 was:''Dalijamės sielos džiaugsmu, tautine didybe ir sveikiname visus bendrapiliečius su Valstybės diena – Lietuvos karaliaus Mindaugo karūnavimo iškilmėmis!''
(in Lithuanian). ''Lietuvos vyriausiasis administracinis teismas''. In Lithuanian: ''Iš'' ''Dievo malonės, Lietuvos karalius'' In
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: ''Dei Gratia Rex Lettowiae'' In English: ''By the Grace of God, King of the Lithuania'' 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 Lithuania
Vytenis Vytenis ( be, Віцень, Vicień; pl, Witenes) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania from c. 1295 to c. 1316. He became the first of the Gediminid dynasty to rule for a considerable amount of time. In the early 14th century his reputation outshon ...
was sometimes regarded as ''Rex Lethowinorum'' (King of Lithuanians) while his successor Gediminas took the Latin title of ''Rex Lithuanorum et Multorum Ruthenorum'' (King of Lithuanians and many
Ruthenians Ruthenian and Ruthene are exonyms of Latin language, Latin origin, formerly used in Eastern and Central Europe as common ethnonyms for East Slavs, particularly during the late medieval and early modern periods. The Latin term Rutheni was used in ...
).
Teutonic Knights The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order, is a Catholic religious institution founded as a military society in Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was formed to aid Christians o ...
referred to Algirdas and his wife
Uliana Uliana and Ulyana are feminine given names. People so named include: * Uliana of Tver (c. 1325–1391), daughter of Prince Alexander of Tver and second wife of Algirdas, Grand Duke of Lithuania * Uliana Olshanska, Grand Duchess of Lithuania from ...
as "Grand King of Lithuania" and "Grand Queen of Lithuania".Savukynas, Virginijus (2 June 2019
Kas buvo mūsų valdovai – karaliai ar kunigaikščiai?
(in Lithuanian) '' LRT''.


Grand Duke

Officially, the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania was introduced after the Pact of Horodło in 1413. 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, thus ''de facto'' king. The full title of the Grand Duke of Lithuania was: In Lithuanian: ''Lietuvos didysis kunigaikštis'' In
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
: ''Magnus Dux Lithuaniae'' In English: ''Grand Duke of the Lithuania'' Following the Act of Krėva with
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populou ...
in 1385, the full Latin title was changed to ''Dei Gratia Rex Poloniae Magnus Dux Lithuaniae'' (
By the Grace of God By the Grace of God ( la, Dei Gratia, abbreviated D.G.) is a formulaic phrase used especially in Christian monarchies as an introductory part of the full styles of a monarch. For example in England and later the United Kingdom, the phrase was fo ...
, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania).


History of the monarchy


Kingdom of Lithuania under Mindaugas I

As the conquests of
Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an ...
by the
Teutonic Order The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem, commonly known as the Teutonic Order, is a Catholic religious institution founded as a military society in Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem. It was formed to aid Christians on ...
and of
Livonia Livonia ( liv, Līvõmō, et, Liivimaa, fi, Liivinmaa, German and Scandinavian languages: ', archaic German: ''Liefland'', nl, Lijfland, Latvian and lt, Livonija, pl, Inflanty, archaic English: ''Livland'', ''Liwlandia''; russian: Ли ...
by the Livonian 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 Conversion to Christianity is the religious conversion of a previously non-Christian person to Christianity. Different Christian denominations may perform various different kinds of rituals or ceremonies initiation into their community of believe ...
, and become king. In 1250 or 1251, he was baptised as a
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
. In 1253, probably in Vilnius or Novogrudok, he and his wife Morta were crowned King and Queen, thus establishing a short-lived alliance with the Livonian Order. This laid the basis for the international recongnition of the newly created Kingdom of Lithuania as a Western country.


Attempts of coronation in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

The ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Vytautas the Great Vytautas (c. 135027 October 1430), also known as Vytautas the Great ( Lithuanian: ', be, Вітаўт, ''Vitaŭt'', pl, Witold Kiejstutowicz, ''Witold Aleksander'' or ''Witold Wielki'' Ruthenian: ''Vitovt'', Latin: ''Alexander Vitoldus'', O ...
was widely considered to be King of Lithuania by the European leaders and Lithuanian nobles of the time. Some historical documents suggest that at the time of signing the
Treaty of Salynas The Treaty of Salynas (german: Frieden von Sallinwerder, lt, Salyno sutartis) was a peace treaty signed on 12 October 1398 by Vytautas the Great, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, and Konrad von Jungingen, the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. ...
in 1398, Lithuanian nobles had acknowledged Vytautas as their King as a symbolic declaration of allegiance. Vytautas himself sought to officially establish his reign by coronation at least three times. However, all three attempts were unsuccessful because the political situation was much more complicated—by this point the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state that existed from the 13th century to 1795, when the territory was partitioned among the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Empire of Austria. The state was founded by Lit ...
and the
Kingdom of Poland The Kingdom of Poland ( pl, Królestwo Polskie; Latin: ''Regnum Poloniae'') was a state in Central Europe. It may refer to: Historical political entities * Kingdom of Poland, a kingdom existing from 1025 to 1031 * Kingdom of Poland, a kingdom exi ...
were under a joint rule of the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Jogaila (''Władysław II Jagiełło'') with the Crown being in
Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...
, 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. 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 to
Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
. In the same year of October, Vytautas up until his death had planned his coronation at least two more times but with no success.


Kingdom of Lithuania (1918) ''de jure'' under Mindaugas II

During the
First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, the German Empire wanted Lithuania proper to be annexed and become a part of either
Prussia Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an ...
or
Saxony Saxony (german: Sachsen ; Upper Saxon: ''Saggsn''; hsb, Sakska), officially the Free State of Saxony (german: Freistaat Sachsen, links=no ; Upper Saxon: ''Freischdaad Saggsn''; hsb, Swobodny stat Sakska, links=no), is a landlocked state of ...
, which for 123 years remained to be a part of the
Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
following the Third Partition of the Polish−Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. In an attempt to avoid becoming a province but remain on good terms with Germany, the Council of Lithuania decided to establish a separate constitutional monarchy with Wilhelm von Urach as King with his residence being in
Verkiai Palace Verkiai Palace ( lt, Verkių rūmai) is an 18th-century neoclassical mansion in Verkiai, Vilnius, Lithuania. History Until the end of the 14th century this place was a property of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. There was a wooden manor even in ...
. According to the twelve-point document resembling the rudiments of a Constitution, the Kingdom of Lithuania was supposed to have had a bicameral 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 appointing
courtiers A courtier () is a person who attends the royal court of a monarch or other royalty. The earliest historical examples of courtiers were part of the retinues of rulers. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the official ...
, ministers and other high-ranking public officials who are Lithuanian citizens and speak the country's
official language An official language is a language given supreme status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically the term "official language" does not refer to the language used by a people or country, but by its government (e.g. judiciary, ...
as well as not leaving the state for more than two months per year without the permission of the government. However, as the war was coming to an end, it became clear that Germany would lose the war. On October 5, 1918, in the Reichstag the new Chancellor of Germany Maximilian of Baden announced that his state acknowledged the right of nations to self-determination and supported their efforts of becoming independent countries.Skirius, Juozas
''Gimtoji_isitorija_
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_had_also_unambiguously_proclaimed_to_the_Council_of_Lithuania_and_the_
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_that_having_a_monarch_of_German_descent_would_be_seen_as_unacceptable._On_November_2,_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_a_Satellite_state.html" "title="Seimas.html" "title="French_Third_Republic.html" "title="ative_History
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/nowiki>''">ative History">''Gimtoji isitorija [Native History
/nowiki>''(in Lithuanian). Emokykla. Retrieved 10 May, 2022. Soon afterwards, Germany expressed its official support for the independence of Lithuania. Furthermore, the diplomats of French Third Republic">France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
had also unambiguously proclaimed to the Council of Lithuania and the Seimas">Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...
 that having a monarch of German descent would be seen as unacceptable. On November 2, 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 a Satellite state">satellite A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioi ...
 monarchy and establish a fully independent republic instead.


Monarchism in present-day Lithuania

Although currently there are no Monarchism, monarchist parties in modern Lithuania, there is a monarchist movement, which is in favor of re-establishing the short-lived monarchy of 1918.Jakilaitis, E. (2018
''Paskelbtojo karaliaus Mindaugo II anūkas: monarchija Lietuvai būtų pigiau ir naudingiau''
(in Lithuanian). '' Delfi.'' 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.Giedraitis, Rimantas (7 July 2012
''Turėtume savo karalių, nereikėtų varvinti seilės į svetimus?'' (in Lithuanian)
''
15min 15min () is one of the largest news websites in Lithuania, and is owned by Estonian media company Postimees Group. The website attracts over one million unique users per month and is led by CEO Ramūnas Šaučikovas. 15min was founded in 2 ...
''. 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 the
Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...
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 the
Constituent Assembly A constituent assembly (also known as a constitutional convention, constitutional congress, or constitutional assembly) is a body assembled for the purpose of drafting or revising a constitution. Members of a constituent assembly may be elected b ...
. And while it is true that the latter declared Lithuania to be a democratic republic on May 15, 1920, I have never heard of the Constituent Assembly officially denouncing the State Council's declaration of July 11, 1918, which called to create a constitutional monarchy in Lithuania and invite Mindaugas II to take his throne.
"For Lithuania it is necessary to restore the monarchical institution, which would unite the nation and be a standard of Western welfare in its highest quality. The constitutional monarchy can make Lithuania a
welfare state A welfare state is a form of government in which the state (or a well-established network of social institutions) protects and promotes the economic and social well-being of its citizens, based upon the principles of equal opportunity, equita ...
and save the country from a deep moral crisis," he added.Kontrimavičiūtė, Inga (September 19, 2012).
Lietuvos karalystė – ne tuščia fantazija?
' (in Lithuanian).
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. However, political commentator Česlovas Iškauskas has responded to such claims, by saying:
In 1918,
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
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.
Prince Inigo von Urach, the grandson of Wilhelm von Urach (Mindaugas II), claims that according to ''
Almanach de Gotha The ''Almanach de Gotha'' (german: Gothaischer Hofkalender) is a directory of Europe's royalty and higher nobility, also including the major governmental, military and diplomatic corps, as well as statistical data by country. First publish ...
'' he remains to be the rightful claimant to the Lithuanian throneSalvatore Ferdinando Antonio Caputo
''The Monarchy in Lithuania''
/ref> and is willing to become King of Lithuania, if the nation wants him to. To quote him from an interview for LRT, "It's not my thing to decide it
he idea of officially being crowned King He or HE may refer to: Language * He (pronoun), an English pronoun * He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ * He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets * He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' ...
that's the thing of the population here, of the citizens of Lithuania. It's not my thing o decide But I promise—if they want me, I would be ready for this job."Dėmesio centre. Karaliaus anūkas Inigo von Urachas
'' LRT''. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. He also mentioned that Wilhelm von Urach expressed his will in his Testament of "keeping the claim of the throne" of Lithuania as well as
Monaco Monaco (; ), officially the Principality of Monaco (french: Principauté de Monaco; Ligurian: ; oc, Principat de Mónegue), is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Lig ...
.


References

{{Europe topic, Monarchy of Kings of Lithuania Lithuanian monarchy