Vaišvilkas or Vaišelga (also spelled Vaišvila, Vojszalak, Vojšalk, Vaišalgas;[1] died 18 April 1267) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1264 until his death in 1267.[2] He was a son of Mindaugas, the first and only Christian King of Lithuania.[2]
Vaišvilkas
16th–17th century imaginative depiction of Vaišvilkas
Monastery that was presumably founded by Vaišvilkas (painting by Napoleon Orda)
Nothing is known about the youth of Vaišvilkas as he entered historical sources only in 1254 when he made a treaty, in the name of his father King Mindaugas, with Daniel of Halych-Volhynia. In the treaty, Halych-Volhynia transfers Black Ruthenia with center in Navahrudak to Lithuania. To solidify the treaty, Daniel's son Shvarn was married to Vaišvilkas' sister.[3] Vaišvilkas was appointed as duke of some of these lands. After Vaišvilkas was baptized in a Greek Orthodox rite, he was drawn to religious life so much that he transferred his title and lands to Roman Danylovich, son of Daniel of Halych.[3] He founded a monastery traditionally identified with Lavrashev Monastery on the bank on the Neman River and entered it as a monk.[4] He set off on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos in Greece. However, he did not reach the destination due to wars in the Balkans and returned to Navahrudak.[3]
In 1264, he escaped an assassination plot by Treniota and Daumantas against his father and two of his brothers. Treniota was murdered by former servants of Mindaugas. Vaišvilkas allied himself with his brother-in-law Shvarn from Halych-Volhynia. They managed to take control over Black Ruthenia and the Duchy of Lithuania.[5] Then they waged a war against Nalšia and Deltuva, two main centers of opposition to Mindaugas and Vaišvilkas.[6] Daumantas, Duke of Nalšia, was forced to flee to Pskov. Suksė (Suxe), another influential duke from Nalšia, fled to Livonia. Vaišvilkas became next the Grand Duke of Lithuania. As a Christian, he tried to maintain friendly relationships with the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order. He signed a peace treaty with Livonia regarding trade on the Daugava River.[3] Lithuanian support of the Great Prussian Uprising ceased, and the orders made advances against Semigallians and Curonians uninterrupted. Together with Shvarn, Vaišvilkas attacked Poland in 1265 to avenge the Yotvingians' defeat a year prior.[5]
When in 1267 he decided to go back to monastic life, Vaišvilkas transferred the title of Grand Duke to Shvarn. A year later he was killed by Shvarn's brother, Leo I of Halych, who was angry that Vaišvilkas did not divide the powers between him and his brother.[5] He was interred near the Assumption Church in Volodymyr.
Nameedit
The original Lithuanian name of this Grand Duke has puzzled many linguists and historians. Their reconstructions resulted in two credible variants Vaišvilkas, based on Woyszwiłk and Vaišelga, based on Vojšalk. The name Vaišvilkas was first reconstructed by Kazimieras Būga.[7] In fact, the first part of the double-stemmed name vaiš- causes no dispute and is attested in many similar names. However, the second part -vilkas, meaning "wolf" is very rare to non existent in Lithuanian names.[7] This led to the hypothesis that the initial form of the name should have been Vaišvilas.[8] The variant Vaišelga/Vaišalga has gained more popularity in historical writings even though the origins of the element -alg and -elg are not entirely clear.[8] Eventually, some researchers even suggest that he had two names, one of them being Vaišvilas.[9]
^ abcdSimas Sužiedėlis, ed. (1970–1978). "Vaišvilkas". Encyclopedia Lituanica. Vol. VI. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 29–30. LCCN 74-114275.
^Rowell, S. C. (1994). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-Central Europe, 1295–1345. Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series. Cambridge University Press. p. 149. ISBN978-0-521-45011-9.
^ abcKiaupa, Zigmantas; Jūratė Kiaupienė; Albinas Kuncevičius (2000) [1995]. The History of Lithuania Before 1795 (English ed.). Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History. pp. 68–69. ISBN9986-810-13-2.
^Ivinskis, Zenonas (1978). Lietuvos istorija iki Vytauto Didžiojo mirties (in Lithuanian). Rome: Lietuvių katalikų mokslo akademija. pp. 197–199.
^ abValentas, Skirmantas (2002). "ISTORINIS VEIKĖJAS EILĖRAŠTYJE: Воишелкъ, Воишевoлкъ". Literatūra (in Lithuanian).
^ abZinkevičius, Zigmas (2007). Senosios Lietuvos valstybės vardynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 48. ISBN978-5-420-01606-0.
^Kuzavinis, Kazimieras; Bronys Savukynas (1987). Lietuvių vardų kilmės žodynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslas.
vaišvilkas, vaišelga, also, spelled, vaišvila, vojszalak, vojšalk, vaišalgas, died, april, 1267, grand, duke, lithuania, from, 1264, until, death, 1267, mindaugas, first, only, christian, king, lithuania, 16th, 17th, century, imaginative, depiction, grand, duk. Vaisvilkas or Vaiselga also spelled Vaisvila Vojszalak Vojsalk Vaisalgas 1 died 18 April 1267 was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1264 until his death in 1267 2 He was a son of Mindaugas the first and only Christian King of Lithuania 2 Vaisvilkas16th 17th century imaginative depiction of VaisvilkasGrand Duke of LithuaniaReign1264 1267PredecessorTreniotaSuccessorSvarnasDuke of NovogrudokReign1253 12541258 1259SuccessorRoman DanylovychBorn1223Died1267HouseMindaugFatherMindaugasMonastery that was presumably founded by Vaisvilkas painting by Napoleon Orda Nothing is known about the youth of Vaisvilkas as he entered historical sources only in 1254 when he made a treaty in the name of his father King Mindaugas with Daniel of Halych Volhynia In the treaty Halych Volhynia transfers Black Ruthenia with center in Navahrudak to Lithuania To solidify the treaty Daniel s son Shvarn was married to Vaisvilkas sister 3 Vaisvilkas was appointed as duke of some of these lands After Vaisvilkas was baptized in a Greek Orthodox rite he was drawn to religious life so much that he transferred his title and lands to Roman Danylovich son of Daniel of Halych 3 He founded a monastery traditionally identified with Lavrashev Monastery on the bank on the Neman River and entered it as a monk 4 He set off on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos in Greece However he did not reach the destination due to wars in the Balkans and returned to Navahrudak 3 In 1264 he escaped an assassination plot by Treniota and Daumantas against his father and two of his brothers Treniota was murdered by former servants of Mindaugas Vaisvilkas allied himself with his brother in law Shvarn from Halych Volhynia They managed to take control over Black Ruthenia and the Duchy of Lithuania 5 Then they waged a war against Nalsia and Deltuva two main centers of opposition to Mindaugas and Vaisvilkas 6 Daumantas Duke of Nalsia was forced to flee to Pskov Sukse Suxe another influential duke from Nalsia fled to Livonia Vaisvilkas became next the Grand Duke of Lithuania As a Christian he tried to maintain friendly relationships with the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order He signed a peace treaty with Livonia regarding trade on the Daugava River 3 Lithuanian support of the Great Prussian Uprising ceased and the orders made advances against Semigallians and Curonians uninterrupted Together with Shvarn Vaisvilkas attacked Poland in 1265 to avenge the Yotvingians defeat a year prior 5 When in 1267 he decided to go back to monastic life Vaisvilkas transferred the title of Grand Duke to Shvarn A year later he was killed by Shvarn s brother Leo I of Halych who was angry that Vaisvilkas did not divide the powers between him and his brother 5 He was interred near the Assumption Church in Volodymyr Name editThe original Lithuanian name of this Grand Duke has puzzled many linguists and historians Their reconstructions resulted in two credible variants Vaisvilkas based on Woyszwilk and Vaiselga based on Vojsalk The name Vaisvilkas was first reconstructed by Kazimieras Buga 7 In fact the first part of the double stemmed name vais causes no dispute and is attested in many similar names However the second part vilkas meaning wolf is very rare to non existent in Lithuanian names 7 This led to the hypothesis that the initial form of the name should have been Vaisvilas 8 The variant Vaiselga Vaisalga has gained more popularity in historical writings even though the origins of the element alg and elg are not entirely clear 8 Eventually some researchers even suggest that he had two names one of them being Vaisvilas 9 See also editHouse of Mindaugas family tree of Vaisvilkas List of Lithuanian rulersReferences edit Baranauskas Tomas Drevnie litovskie imena in Russian Medieval Lithuania Retrieved 23 January 2008 a b Vaiselga Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia in Lithuanian Retrieved 7 July 2021 a b c d Simas Suziedelis ed 1970 1978 Vaisvilkas Encyclopedia Lituanica Vol VI Boston Massachusetts Juozas Kapocius pp 29 30 LCCN 74 114275 Rowell S C 1994 Lithuania Ascending A Pagan Empire Within East Central Europe 1295 1345 Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought Fourth Series Cambridge University Press p 149 ISBN 978 0 521 45011 9 a b c Kiaupa Zigmantas Jurate Kiaupiene Albinas Kuncevicius 2000 1995 The History of Lithuania Before 1795 English ed Vilnius Lithuanian Institute of History pp 68 69 ISBN 9986 810 13 2 Ivinskis Zenonas 1978 Lietuvos istorija iki Vytauto Didziojo mirties in Lithuanian Rome Lietuviu kataliku mokslo akademija pp 197 199 a b Valentas Skirmantas 2002 ISTORINIS VEIKĖJAS EILĖRASTYJE Voishelk Voishevolk Literatura in Lithuanian a b Zinkevicius Zigmas 2007 Senosios Lietuvos valstybes vardynas in Lithuanian Vilnius Mokslo ir enciklopediju leidybos institutas p 48 ISBN 978 5 420 01606 0 Kuzavinis Kazimieras Bronys Savukynas 1987 Lietuviu vardu kilmes zodynas in Lithuanian Vilnius Mokslas Preceded byTreniota Grand Duke of Lithuania1264 1267 Succeeded byShvarn Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vaisvilkas amp oldid 1179686274, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
