Mindaugas
Mindaugas (approximate English transcription [ˈmın.dəʊ.gʌs], simplified Lithuanian transcription [mindaŭgas]; also known as Ruthenian: Mindowh, Belarusian: Міндо´ўг, Mindoŭh, Polish: Mindowe, Mendog) (c.1203 - 12 September 1263) ruled Lithuania as Grand Duke ("didysis kunigaikštis", "вялікі князь") from c.1236 (a Christian from 1251) and as king ("karalius", "кароль") from 1253.
He united local tribal "duchies", as well as Black Ruthenia. In 1253 July 06 he was crowned as a king. Where he was crowned is still unclear. There are few probably locations (by the probability) Vilnius, Trakai (Old Trakai), or Navahradak. It is known, that for this occasion Catholic Cathedral was built, and that Mindaugas and his wife Morta were crowned by order of pope Innocentius IV.
He and his wife Morta were baptized around 1252 by the Bishop of Kulm (now Chełmno) in the presence of the Master of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. A member of the Order named Christian was consecrated as first bishop of Lithuania.
This raised a huge opposition and the Baltic peoples continued to resist conversion to Christianity, and after defeat by pagan forces in 1260, Mindaugas renounced Christianity. He was killed by his Nephew Treniota and Duke Daumantas of Nalšiai. Under the usurper Treniota, of strong paganist beliefs, the country relapsed into Paganism until the Conversion (1386) of Grand Duke Jogaila.
Only with Gediminas, grand duke from 1316, did Lithuania's revival begin. While most of Lithuanian grand dukes from Jogaila onward reigned also as kings of Poland, their titles remained separate, and Mindaugas was the only King of Lithuania, recognized as such by Western European rulers.
Father
Wife
Brother
Son
- Vaišvilkas (Woyszwiłk, Vojszalak, Vojšalk, Vaišelga, Vaishyalga, Vaišalgas, Rymont Lawrasz, Rimond Laurent; + killed 9 December 1268 Vladimir), Prince of Black Ruthenia 1239 - 1254, Grand Prince of Lithuania 1254, 1258 – 1263