Jaunutis

Jaunutis (Polish: Jawnuta; Belarusian: Яўнут; lit. 'young man'; Christian name: Ioann; also John or Ivan; c. 1300 – after 1366) was Grand Duke of Lithuania after his father Gediminas died in 1341 until he was deposed by his elder brothers Algirdas and Kęstutis in 1345.^[1]

Succession

According to Polish historian Jan Tęgowski, he was probably born between 1306 and 1309.^[2]

Jaunutis was not mentioned in any written sources prior to Gediminas' death.^[3] There are many theories why Gediminas chose Jaunutis, a middle son, as his successor. Some suggested that he was an acceptable compromise between pagan (Algirdas and Kęstutis) and Orthodox (Narimantas, Karijotas, Liubartas) sons of Gediminas.^[4] Others claimed that Jaunutis was the eldest son of Gediminas' second wife; thus the tradition that Gediminas was married twice: to a pagan and to an Orthodox duchess.^[5]

Rule

Very little is known about the years when Jaunutis ruled. Those were quite peaceful years, as the

The Bychowiec Chronicle mentions that Jaunutis was supported by Jaunė, presumed wife of Gediminas and mother of his children. She died c. 1344 and soon after Jaunutis lost his throne. If he was indeed protected by his mother, then it would be an interesting example of influence held by queen mother in pagan Lithuania.^[3] However, a concrete stimulus might have been a major reise planned by the Teutonic Knights in 1345.^[4]

Later life

Jaunutis was supported by his brother

He is presumed to have died c. 1366 because he is mentioned for the last time in a treaty with Poland in 1366, and not mentioned in a treaty with Livonia in 1367.[5] He had three sons, Symeon Zaslawski, Grzegorz Słucki and Michal Zaslawski.^[7] Michal ruled Zasłaŭje until his death on August 12, 1399 in the Battle of the Vorskla River.

References