Lithuania: Difference between revisions
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Lithuania was first mentioned in the ''Annales Quedlinburgenses'' (or, Quedlinburg Chronicles) of 1009 CE, as ''Litua''. (In modern Lithuanian, it is ''Lietuva''.) |
'''Lithuania''' was first mentioned in the ''Annales Quedlinburgenses'' (or, Quedlinburg Chronicles) of 1009 [[CE]], as ''Litua''. (In modern Lithuanian, it is ''Lietuva''.) |
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[[Crusader]]s from the late [[11th century]] onwards visited the area, to fight against the native [[pagan]]s. By the mid-[[13th century]], Mindaugas had risen to power, was [[baptism|baptis]]ed and crowned ruler of the [[Kingdom]] of Lithuania. |
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===The Grand Duchy of Lithuania=== |
===The Grand Duchy of Lithuania=== |
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Lithuania itself did not begin to officially convert to Christianity until 1387, under the Grand Duke Jogaila. The last region to be Christianised was Samogitia in 1413, however pagan practices continued until after the 16th century. |
Lithuania itself did not begin to officially convert to [[Christianity]] until 1387, under the [[Grand Duke]] Jogaila. The last region to be Christianised was Samogitia in 1413, however pagan practices continued until after the [[16th century]]. |
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At the Duchy's peak, the country encompassed land from the Baltic to the Black |
At the Duchy's peak, the country encompassed land from the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] to the [[Black Sea]]s, including the modern-day countries of [[Belarus]] and [[Ukraine]], and the myriad of different cultures and peoples included. Official [[language]]s spoken at [[court]] in the Duchy included [[Old Ruthenian]], [[Latin]], [[German]] and [[Polish]]. |
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===Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth=== |
===Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth=== |
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The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was formed by the union of the Kingdom of [[Poland]] and Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1569. Its |
The [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] was formed by the union of the Kingdom of [[Poland]] and Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1569. Its political system was not a traditional [[monarchy]]. Instead the [[nobility]] directly influenced legislation and the commonwealth's ruler was [[becoming king|elected to his post]]. This system was called the ''Golden Liberty''. |
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===Pre-17th century Lithuanians=== |
===Pre-17th century Lithuanians=== |
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* Martynas Mažvydas (1510-1563), writer of the first printed book in the Lithuanian language. |
* [[Martynas Mažvydas]] (1510-1563), writer of the first printed [[book]] in the Lithuanian language. |
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=== References and More Information === |
=== References and More Information === |
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*Mažiulis, Vytautas. 2005. Dėl Lietuvos vardo 1009 metais (šv. Brunono misija) ''Baltistica'' '''40'''(1). |
*Mažiulis, Vytautas. 2005. Dėl Lietuvos vardo 1009 metais (šv. Brunono misija) ''Baltistica'' '''40'''(1). |
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*Urban, William. 1987. The Conversion of Lithuania 1387. ''Lituanus'' '''33'''(4). |
*Urban, William. 1987. The Conversion of Lithuania 1387. ''Lituanus'' '''33'''(4). |
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[[category:Kingdoms (medieval)]] [[category:countries]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:10, 22 July 2009
Lithuania was first mentioned in the Annales Quedlinburgenses (or, Quedlinburg Chronicles) of 1009 CE, as Litua. (In modern Lithuanian, it is Lietuva.) Crusaders from the late 11th century onwards visited the area, to fight against the native pagans. By the mid-13th century, Mindaugas had risen to power, was baptised and crowned ruler of the Kingdom of Lithuania.
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Lithuania itself did not begin to officially convert to Christianity until 1387, under the Grand Duke Jogaila. The last region to be Christianised was Samogitia in 1413, however pagan practices continued until after the 16th century.
At the Duchy's peak, the country encompassed land from the Baltic to the Black Seas, including the modern-day countries of Belarus and Ukraine, and the myriad of different cultures and peoples included. Official languages spoken at court in the Duchy included Old Ruthenian, Latin, German and Polish.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was formed by the union of the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1569. Its political system was not a traditional monarchy. Instead the nobility directly influenced legislation and the commonwealth's ruler was elected to his post. This system was called the Golden Liberty.
Pre-17th century Lithuanians
- Martynas Mažvydas (1510-1563), writer of the first printed book in the Lithuanian language.
References and More Information
- History of Medieval Lithuania
- Longworth, Phillip. 1997 The Making of Eastern Europe: From Prehistory to Postcommunism. [Second edition] (New York: St. Martin's Press).
- Mažiulis, Vytautas. 2005. Dėl Lietuvos vardo 1009 metais (šv. Brunono misija) Baltistica 40(1).
- Urban, William. 1987. The Conversion of Lithuania 1387. Lituanus 33(4).
