Galicia–Volhynia Wars

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Galicia–Volhynia Wars
Date1340–1392
Location
West Ukraine
)
Result
Belligerents
Local Ruthenian factions Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Golden Horde
Local Ruthenian factions
Commanders and leaders
Jogaila
Liubartas
Dmytro Dedko
Vytautas
Tokhtamysh
The Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia (1245–1349)
Map of Kingdom of Poland (1333–70). Note territorial expansion into southeast (light pink).

The Galicia–Volhynia Wars were several wars fought in the years 1340–1392 over the succession in the

Galicia) and Lithuania (Volhynia) and Ruthenia ceased to exist as an independent state. Poland acquired a territory of approximately 52,000 square kilometres (20,000 sq mi) with 200,000 inhabitants.[1]

Background

Brothers

betrothed to Eufemija, daughter of Gediminas. He was poisoned in April 1340 by local nobles who resented growing Polish and Bohemian influence in the court.[3][4]
Yuri Boleslav did not have an heir and his death upset fragile power balance in the region.

Conflicts

First stage

Within days of Yuri Boleslav's murder,

March of Brandenburg and Prussia during this period as well.[5] The raid weakened Polish influence in the principality. In order to assist Casimir, a Hungarian contingent commanded by William Drugeth entered the Ruthenian border and fought against the Mongols. Eufemija, Yuri Boleslav's widow, was drowned in the Vistula in winter 1342 to keep her out of the succession disputes.[3] Detko, who managed to play Poles, Lithuanians, and Mongols against each other, disappeared from written sources in 1344. The same year direct conflict between Poland and Lithuania renewed, but soon a peace treaty was signed: Volhynia was assigned to Liubartas and Galicia to Casimir.[6]

Second stage

After the Lithuanians were defeated in the

Muscovy: Liubartas married an unnamed daughter of Konstantin of Rostov, a relative of Simeon of Moscow,[9] and Algirdas married Uliana of Tver, sister-in-law of Simeon.[6] In spring 1351, Lubartas was taken prisoner by Louis, but was released in summer after a truce was agreed upon with Kęstutis.[6] The deal fell through and more military attacks followed in 1352. Another truce, rather favorable to the Lithuanians, was signed in fall 1352: Lubartas received not only Volhynia and Podolia, but also Belz and Chełm.[6] However, already in 1353, Liubartas attacked again. Casimir responded by organizing a large campaign against the pagan Lithuanians with a special permission from Pope Innocent VI.[6]
After the campaign did not achieve the desired results, Casimir contemplated an alliance with the Lithuanians.

In 1366, Casimir, allied with

Siemowit III of Masovia and nephews of Liubartas, resumed the war. As Algirdas was involved in conflicts in the east and Kęstutis fought with the Teutonic Knights, Liubartas had to defend alone and was defeated.[6] In fall 1366, a treaty was signed: Liubartas retained only eastern Volhynia with Lutsk and became somewhat dependent on Poland (he had to retain neutrality in case Poland attacked Lithuania).[6] Casimir awarded his allies: Yuri, son of Karijotas, received Chełm, his brother Alexander received Volodymyr, and Yuri, son of Narimantas, continued to rule Belz.[6]

Third stage

In 1370, Liubartas took advantage of Casimir's death and captured all of Volhynia, including Volodymyr.

Jogaila to become her husband. Jadwiga and Jogaila signed the Union of Krewo in 1385, creating a personal union between Poland and Lithuania. In 1387, Jadwiga attached Galicia to Poland for good.[1]

Liubartas died ca. 1384 and his throne was inherited by his son Fëdor. Jogaila started limiting Fëdor's sovereignty in Volhynia. Jogaila, hoping to reconcile with his cousin

of 1392, which settled Galician–Volhynian issue for good: Poland took Galicia adopting title Dei gratia rex Polonie et Russie, nec non Cracovie, Sandomirie, Siradie, Lancicie, Cuiavie, et Pomeranieque Terrarum et Ducatuum Dominus et Heres, while Lithuania controlled Volhynia.

References