KÃÂstutis ( â 3 or 15 August 1382) was the sole Duke of Trakai from 1342 to 1382 and Grand Duke of Lithuania, believed to rule together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila (from 1377 to 1381).
The name "KÃÂstutis" is a derivative from the old form of the name KÃÂstas, which is a shortened version of such Lithuanian names as KÃÂstaras, KÃÂstautas (there kÃÂs-ti means to cope). Historic writing sources reflect different Lithuanian pronunciation.
KÃÂstutis was the son of the Grand Duke Gediminas. His younger brother, Jaunutis, succeeded his father as Grand Duke of Lithuania. Together with his brother Algirdas, KÃÂstutis conspired to remove Jaunutis from power. They were successful in their efforts. They divided their holdings into an eastern and western sphere of influence. The Duchy of Trakai was established in 1337 as a result. KÃÂstutis' efforts were concentrated in the west, while Algirdas' were concentrated in the eastern part of these territories. KÃÂstutis organized the defence of western Lithuania and Samogitia against the Teutonic Knights, and organized raids against the German Order. During KÃÂstutis's rule, Teutonic raids into Lithuania reached their peak.
KÃÂstutis wielded significant influence during the reign of Algirdas, and it appears the two were officially co-rulers as Grand Dukes, with Algirdas being the dominant co-ruler. It is uncertain at what point KÃÂstutis started to use the title of the Grand Duke, but he is attested in the office in years 1349-1351.
KÃÂstutis employed different military as well as diplomatic means in his struggle on the western borders of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1349, to avoid further clashes with the Teutonic Order, he started negotiations with Pope Clement VI for the Christianization of Lithuania, receiving promises for royal crowns for him and his sons. Algirdas willingly remained aside of the business and was concerned with the order in the Ruthenian part of the state. The intermediary in the negotiations, Polish King Casimir III, made an unexpected assault on Volhynia and Brest in October 1349, which ruined KÃÂstutis' plan. During the Polish-Lithuanian war for Volhynia, King Louis I of Hungary made a peace agreement with KÃÂstutis on 15 August 1351, according to which KÃÂstutis obliged himself to accept Christianity and provide the Kingdom of Hungary with military aid, in exchange for the royal crown. The agreement was approved with a pagan ritual by KÃÂstutis to convince the other side. In fact, KÃÂstutis had no intentions to comply with the agreement and ran away on the way to Buda.
In March 1361, KÃÂstutis, along with his son Patrikas and his brother Algirdas, destroyed and took over the Teutonic Eckersberg and Johannisburg castles. A small squad of Teutonic knights that were returning from this event attacked the camp of KÃÂstutis and Algirdas near the Ublik (Wobel) lake. After, a skirmish KÃÂstutis, who was captured by the crusaders, was detained in Malbork Castle. KÃÂstutis, being over 60 years old at the time, was only defeated by the third experienced knight who attacked him. Negotiations regarding KÃÂstutis's liberation were arranged two times but without results. The ransom the crusaders asked for in exchange for KÃÂstutis' freedom was most likely too high. KÃÂstutis managed to escape from captivity about half a year later. He, with the help of his servant Alfas, broke a hole in a three meter-thick wall and left the castle by horses dressed up as Teutonic knights. The escape was well planned and it is assumed that Algirdas and BirutÃÂ, KÃÂstutis's wife, greatly contributed to the planned escape.
Algirdas died in 1377 and left the throne to Jogaila, his chosen son from his second marriage to Uliana of Tver. KÃÂstutis and Vytautas continued to recognize Jogaila's authority even when his right of inheritance was challenged by Andrei of Polotsk, Algirdas' eldest son from his first marriage to Maria of Vitebsk. The Teutonic Knights continued their crusade against pagan Lithuania and both Jogaila and KÃÂstutis looked for opportunities to establish a truce. On September 29, 1379, a ten-year truce was signed in Trakai. It was the last treaty that KÃÂstutis and Jogaila signed jointly. In February 1380, Jogaila, without KÃÂstutis, made a five-month truce with the Livonian Order to protect his Lithuanian domains and Polotsk.
On 31 May 1380, Jogaila and Grand Master Winrich von Kniprode signed the secret Treaty of Dovydià ¡kÃÂs. Based on the terms of the accord, Jogaila agreed not to intervene during attacks by the Teutonic Knights against KÃÂstutis or his children. However, if providing aid to KÃÂstutis would be necessary to help to avoid any suspicions, it would not be a violation of the treaty. The motives behind the treaty are not entirely clear. Some historians blamed Uliana, mother of Jogaila, or his adviser Vaidila, while others pointed out generational differences: KÃÂstutis was about 80 years old and determined not to accept Christianity, while Jogaila was about 30 years old and was looking for ways to convert and modernize the country. Still, others suggested that the treaty was primarily directed against Andrei and his allies â brother Dmitry of Bryansk and Grand Duke of Moscow Dmitri Donskoi. Jogaila, having secured his western front, allied himself with the Golden Horde against the Grand Duchy of Moscow for the upcoming Battle of Kulikovo.
Without violating the Treaty of Dovydià ¡kÃÂs, the Teutonic Knights raided the Duchy of Trakai and Samogitia twice. In August 1381, Komtur of Osterode informed KÃÂstutis about the secret treaty. In the same month, KÃÂstutis took advantage of Polotsk's rebellion against Skirgaila. Jogaila was away to subdue the rebellion and his absence provided a good opportunity to capture Vilnius, capital of the Grand Duchy. KÃÂstutis declared himself the sole Grand Duke while Jogaila was taken prisoner on his way back to Vilnius. Jogaila pledged his loyalty to KÃÂstutis and was released. He received his patrimony, Kreva and Vitebsk. KÃÂstutis resumed the war with the Teutonic Knights; his army raided Warmia and attempted to capture Georgenburg (Jurbarkas).
On 12 June 1382, while KÃÂstutis was away to fight Dymitr Korybut of Novhorod-Siversky and Vytautas was away in Trakai, residents of Vilnius, led by merchant Hanul of Riga, let Jogaila's army into the city. The merchants were dissatisfied with KÃÂstutis's policies as they were hurting the economy, especially trade with Livonia. Jogaila recaptured the throne and allied with the Teutonic Knights. In the meantime, KÃÂstutis rallied his supporters in Samogitia, his son Vytautas sought soldiers in Hrodna, and his brother Liubartas recruited in GaliciaâÂÂVolhynia. In August 1382, the armies of KÃÂstutis and Jogaila met near Trakai for a decisive battle, but it never began. Both sides agreed to negotiate. KÃÂstutis and Vytautas arrived to Jogaila's camp, but were arrested and sent to a prison in the Kreva Castle. Their army was disbanded. On 15 August, five days after imprisonment, KÃÂstutis was found dead by Skirgaila. Jogaila claimed that he hanged himself, but few believed him. Jogaila organized a large pagan funeral for KÃÂstutis: his body was burned with horses, weapons, and other treasures in Vilnius, presumably in à  ventaragis' Valley. Vytautas managed to escape; he later reconciled with Jogaila and was proclaimed his co-ruler as Grand Duke in 1401.
KÃÂstutis is a popular male name in Lithuania. Mikalojus Konstantinas ÃÂiurlionis wrote a symphonic overture KÃÂstutis in 1902. Petras Tarasenka, Lithuanian historian and archeologist, wrote a short story PabÃÂgimas (The Escape) in 1957, depicting KÃÂstutis's escape from the Teutonic Order captivity in Marienburg Castle. A monument to commemorate KÃÂstutis was erected in Prienai in 1937, and was then restored in 1990. The "Grand Duke KÃÂstutis Motorized Infantry Battalion" of the Lithuanian Land Force was named after KÃÂstutis. A military district of Lithuanian partisans was named in honor of KÃÂstutis â KÃÂstutis military district.
The Millennium of Russia monument has a sculpture for KÃÂstutis.
KÃÂstutis is featured in the 2021 video game in a campaign detailing the exploits of himself and his brother Algirdas.
KÃÂstutis married BirutÃÂ around 1344. Together, they had 9 children: