The Return of Ancient Gods: Lithuanian Kingdom

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King Girdenis II

Saulė (the Sun) – the goddess of life and fertility, warmth and health. Saulė was kidnapped and held in a tower by powerful king and rescued by the zodiac using a giant sledgehammer. Saulė and Mėnuo (the Moon) are ex-wife and husband. She has daughters Žemyna (Earth), Aušrinė (Morning Star/Venus), Vakarinė (Evening Star), Indraja (Jupiter), Vaivora (Mercury), Žiezdrė (Mars) and Sėlija (Saturn). Her brothers are Ryto žara (white horse, the morning glow) and Vakaro žara (black horse, the evening glow). Saulė's feast is celebrated during the summer solstice. ​

Unlike his conqueror father Girdenis I, Girdenis II was very popular charismatic ruler who was renowned for his charity and diligence*. Some say that Girdenis I expansion was made possible because of Girdenis II, who was his father’s right hand, was able to consolidate his father’s vassals and keep the strongest foreign powers at bay.

Nonetheless, in 1377, Girdenis II conquered the Duchy of Estonia and on the next year following a quick war against the Kingdom of Bulgaria, Lithuania’s borders reached the Black Sea.

In commemoration of the victory against Bulgarians and gaining access to the Black Sea, Girdenis II organised a Grand Tournament in which Girdenis II proved his melee fighting skills and won it. Two more Gediminaitis won the second and third places.

In 1381, Girdenis conquered Pereyaslavl. However, two years later he died on 21 October 1383.

Unlike his farther, Girdenis I, who had 9 children (the last, Gintaras, a child of his second wife, was born after his death), Girdenis II had just two daughters and one son. His daughter Danilla married the heir of Hungary Bruno Gotthardfi Meinhardiner. His son Girdenis married the youngest daughter of the Queen of Hungary, Klementia which forged a strong dynastic relationship with Hungary.

The King of Hungary, Theodorich who revolted against the Byzantium rule was killed in a battle 1373. His two sisters divided his kingdom into Croatia and Hungary. The oldest sister Beatrix got Hungary and the second sister Elizabeth got Croatia.

Due to the HRE emperors (Dietpold II and later Ordulf) help Beatrix defeated Byzantines and rebels, and became independent. Her sister Elizabeth was not so lucky. She was defeated by Empress Thekla and was blinded. Empress Thelka then died in 1383 and her son Akakios became the next Emperor of Byzantium.

As it was mentioned before, Beatrix’s the only living son Bruno married Girdenis II daughter Dannila. Bruno was so impressed by his father-in-law that he accepted Girdenis II invitation to his court in Vilnius and renounced Christianity.

In 1375, King Azur III of Anatolia cut his ties with Sweden and created an independent kingdom.

After almost 3 decades of fighting in England between Crusaders and Cathars, Cathars prevailed. Luckily for Cathars the HRE emperors were busy fighting Empress Thekla of Byzantium and then the rebellious Kingdom of Bohemia were not involved therefore in the Crusade.

In 1381, Khagan Timur the Wise invaded and conquered with his horde Khiva.

​

* Girdenis I had Diplomacy 11 but Martial 14, but his son Girdenis II had Diplomacy 29 and Martial 8. It looks like Diplomacy came with Mongolian blood. His grandson Girdenis III had Diplomacy 27 and Martial 6. No surprise, Girdenis II rule was very stable.

 

[LordTempest]

And so the reign of the Mongol-Lithuanian Pagan Kings continues...

 

[DensleyBlair]

Is it just me, or did Girdenis II look like a Mongol Franz Ferdinand?

And it's good to see England fought off the crusaders - did anyone actually take up the oath in the end?

 

[tnick0225]

So Cathar England survives and Pagan Lithuania continues to grow ever larger Looking forward to the next update

 

[loki100]

somehow the idea of 'diplomacy' being a particularly Mongolian trait in this era seems ... sort of wrong?

anyways, that is a powerful Kingdom you've constructed and with your pagan allies in the West surviving, it may be time to restore the old faiths to the rest of Europe?

 

[unmerged(47028)]

Your expanding very well! Impressed with the size you've gotten Lithuania to be so far.

And well leave it to the Plantagenets to take over a country like Aragon and start blobbing.

After very slow start I did not expect so fast expansion during Girdenis I long reign. It helps a lot when you do not have pacify your vassals before doing anything else. And as I wrote the biggest luck was capture of Rurikovich dynasty head in one of the first battles. Now Rurikovich are no longer threat at all, the Golden Horde looks idle.

Plantagenets look very capable of ruling. Cathar Plantagenets managed to defeat Crusaders and Catholic Plantagenets defeated rebels and Muslims.

Better to see a Crusade against Cathar England which doesn't end conclusively or soon. Seems that the more the Catholic nations are concerned with England's heretics, the less attention they will pay to heathen Lithuania.

Now when the Crusade is over, the next target could be Poland or even HUngary if my new Pagan Hugarian friend inherits Hungary any time soon.

And so the reign of the Mongol-Lithuanian Pagan Kings continues...

It looks like Girdenis III has Lithuanian-Lithuanian son - Girdenis IV

Is it just me, or did Girdenis II look like a Mongol Franz Ferdinand?

Mustaches?

And it's good to see England fought off the crusaders - did anyone actually take up the oath in the end?

Crusaders were close to winning most of the time. I am not even sure how Cathars managed to get white peace at the end. What oath?

So Cathar England survives and Pagan Lithuania continues to grow ever larger Looking forward to the next update

Well, I expect now clashes between the West and East, say over Hungary or Poland.

somehow the idea of 'diplomacy' being a particularly Mongolian trait in this era seems ... sort of wrong?

It is However, Mongols have much better gene pool than Lithuanian Pagans. Mongols have much bigger choice of high stats brides and ministers. At the beginning my pagan brides and ministers pool was extremely small and low quality, besides giving no alliances

anyways, that is a powerful Kingdom you've constructed and with your pagan allies in the West surviving, it may be time to restore the old faiths to the rest of Europe?

I already practically ended Eastern Expansion. Fighting Mongols would be suicidal because the HRE could back-stab me any time. Mongols are still very strong. Novgorod Republic is also strong but does not give an access to anything.

Now I will concentrate on Hungary (hopefully peaceful union way), Bulgaria and maybe Byzantium. The HRE has twice bigger army. I can take some provinces back only if the HRE is in a major Civil War.

So now is Central Europe and Balkans.

 

[DensleyBlair]

What oath?

Ah, I just meant the crusaders' oath.

 

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Ah, I just meant the crusaders' oath.

Cathars were defending against Papal States, 3 Orders, 10 dukes and the King of France. At some moment the score was 80+.

 

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King Girdenis III (Part I)

Mėnuo (the Moon) – the god of night light, time lord and warrior, and fosterer of vegetation. He is Saulė’s ex-husband and has with her a daughter Žemyna. However he fell in love with beautiful Aušrinė (the morning star), Saulė’s daughter. For his infidelity, Perkūnas punished Mėnuo. Mėnuo was cut into two pieces, but he did not learn from his mistakes and thus the punishment is repeated every month. After the divorce, Mėnuo comes to visit his daughter Žemyna at night while Saulė away. Lithuanian calendar is based on Mėnuo. ​

Girdenis III took over relatively stable and expanding kingdom from his father. Like his father, he received enough skills to rule the country while he was the Counsellor of the Kingdom of Lithuania.

At the beginning of his reign Girdenis III expanded Lithuanian access to the Black Sea and supported his bajorai expansion to Ryazan and Rostov.

In 1384, Girdenis III conquered Novgorod-Seversk. One year later he successfully invaded Novgorod and installed his own governor in Toropets.

In December 1387, Prince Bruno inherited the Kingdom of Hungary. Some his Hungarian vassals immediately revolted against the new pagan ruler. King Bruno asked his brother-in-law Girdenis III for help. Girdenis III immediately responded and sent his troops to Hungary.

While Bruno was fighting rebels in Greece and Girdenis III in the Duchy of Ungvar, in April 1388, Emperor Ordulf declared war against Bruno and invaded the Duchy of Nyitra. Girdenis III, after long consideration decided to support his brother-in-law and declared war against Emperor Ordulf.

In January 1389, Bruno surrendered Nyitra to Ordulf. However, Girdenis III continued fighting. After long manoeuvring and small skirmishes Girdenis III and Ordulf assembled their armies at Jasto. Girdenis III decided to attack Ordulf at dawn of 18 September 1389 before the arrival of further Ordulf’s reinforcements. Heavily entrenched Germans were ready for the attack waiting for Lithuanian light cavalry charge. The battle could decide the faith of Lithuania and the Holy Roman Empire.

​

 

[PineconeKing]

37,100 actively defending, and 21,132 arriving as reinforcements and possible reinforcements located in Hungary and Silesia numbering 85,000, versus around 100,000 Lithuanians who will arrive at different points in the battle. DRAMA.

 

[DensleyBlair]

This does look to prove an epic battle.

As a side note - is that a Swedish Mesopotamia I spy?

 

[PineconeKing]

This does look to prove an epic battle.

As a side note - is that a Swedish Mesopotamia I spy?

No, that's 2/3 of Paphlagonia, and all of Coloneia and Trebizond. I think, at least. Mesapotamia appears to be divided between Rum and the Byzantines.

 

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37,100 actively defending, and 21,132 arriving as reinforcements and possible reinforcements located in Hungary and Silesia numbering 85,000, versus around 100,000 Lithuanians who will arrive at different points in the battle. DRAMA.

This does look to prove an epic battle.

It will be definitely the biggest battle. I also I think it will be my biggest battle ever inland in any of my games. I had only probably a few bigger but at shores where there is a higher supply limit and easy to bring and take out troops.

My largest battle ever was 209,000 (my army) versus 149,000 which I lost losing 79,000 men.

As a side note - is that a Swedish Mesopotamia I spy?

No, that's 2/3 of Paphlagonia, and all of Coloneia and Trebizond. I think, at least. Mesapotamia appears to be divided between Rum and the Byzantines.

Yes, PineconeKing is right about Swedes. Mesapotamia is divided by Rum and Emirate of Thessalonika (revolting against Egypt).

 

[loki100]

that is one epic battle you have set up there

 

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King Girdenis III (Part II)


On 18 September 1389, wave after wave Lithuanian light cavalry and infantry were storming German position. However, outnumbered but well entrenched Germans stood their ground. After heavy losses, Lithuanians retreated.

On the next day, Lithuanians once again assaulted Germans but German moral was not broken once more. In the afternoon German reinforcement of 26,000 arrived from Krakow and Lithuanians retreated. Two days more Lithuanians tried to break through increased but still outnumbered German lines.

On 23 September 1389, Girdenis III ordered the last assault on exhausted Ordulf’s force. By noon, Lithuanian heavy infantry broke through the centre and light cavalry began to chase demoralised enemies. However, exactly on that moment another Imperial army of about 21,000 men arrived from Silesia. A roaring wave heavy knights’ wave struck Lithuanian left flank forcing it to flee. Lithuanian centre soon became surrounded and light infantry fell into an ambush. A slaughter began. Girdenis III soon called retreat but by that time a whole Lithuanian army was fleeing and suffering horrible losses.*

Girdenis III managed to escape. More than 40,000 Lithuanians lost their lives. Many were taken captive.

One by one castles and cities surrendered to Ordulf and Girdenis III sought truce. Girndenis III met Ordulf in Krakow and signed a peace treaty. Girdenis III renounced his claim on Silesia and recognised Ordulf’s claim on Nytria. He also agreed to pay war reparations of 165,000 ducats.

The backbone of Lithuanian army was destroyed. Reparations caused internal unrest and economic decline in Lithuania.**

The next four years, Girdenis III was fighting peasant and bajorai rebels and paying off debts. In order to reduce his debt, he also sold Novgorod Seversky County for 20,000 ducats to one of magnates of Lithuania, Prince Kesgaila, Duke of Tver and Novgorod Seversky. Following a prolonged period of illness Girdenis III died on 1 May 1393 at age 35.

Girdenis III had five sons and two daughters. Girdenis IV was just 11 year old but his father already betrothed him to Princes of Hungary Anele, the oldest daughter of King Bruno. Girdenis III left the Kingdom infested with rebels and internal fighting. Jaunutis, Duke of Livonia, Cubearer of Lithuania brother of King Girdenis the Ill-ruler became the Regent of Lithuania.

Richest magnates of the Kingdom of Lithuania

Most powerful magnates of the Kingdom of Lithuania


During ten years of Girdenis III reign, Europe and Asia Minor was plagued by civil wars. King Luis of Castile was fighting the Duke of Cordoba. Aragonese rebelled against Plantagenet rule in Argon, Duke Artau de Barcelona claiming the crown. Trond, Duke of Moray rebelled against young King Gregory Dunkel of Scotland claiming his throne. King Glum af Frondholm of Denmark was struggling to defeat Duke Gorm af Frondholm of Sjaelland. Young King Niklas af Erik of Anatolia was besieged by Asbjorn Farla, Duke of Anatolia. Ioakim Asen, King of Bulgaria clashed with Duke Ognen of Armenia Minor.

Although Crusaders were defeated by English Cathars, Catholics staged the successful palace coup. On 30 October 1384, Alan Plantagenet overthrew six year old King Peter III ending Cathar rule in England. Peter III escaped to his sister Constance in Navara leaving some hope to Cathars.

A civil war in Egypt already lasted for 18 years. This period of instability was used well by Khagan Timur who conquered Persia and expanded his empire.

Emperor Ordulf, not only crushed King Kunik Premyslid usurping his crown of the Kingdom of Bohemia but also defeated Kingdoms of Hungary and Lithuania. Ordulf became a living legend in Christian world after routing an overwhelming pagan army at Jasto.

Rumours arrived from the Holy Roman Empire to Lithuania that the Emperor was already preparing for new war against underage Girdenis IV.

​

* The battle was very long and at one moment I thought I won it but then newly arrived Imperial heavy cavalry began slaughtering my army 2500 men per turn. This was my second biggest battle in CK2 and the biggest in this game. I lost both biggest battles.

** I had to pay 1,650 gold. In addition most of my retinue was annihilated. Both light cavalry and heavy infantry suffered enormous casualties. Retinue was still in rebuilding when Girdenis III died. Funnily enough a lot of peasants rebelled (coincidence?).

 

[DensleyBlair]

And it all looked so promising - having looked at the charts for a while, I see little reason why you should have lost. I guess the Imperial Heavy Cavalry arrived at a perfect time...

Girdenis IV should have an interesting reign, what with all the starting troubles.

 

[unmerged(47028)]

that is one epic battle you have set up there

That was an epic battle after all just not Lithuanians celebrated it However, it is not sunset yet - Lithuania will prevail :ninja:

And it all looked so promising - having looked at the charts for a while, I see little reason why you should have lost. I guess the Imperial Heavy Cavalry arrived at a perfect time...

Girdenis IV should have an interesting reign, what with all the starting troubles.

This is not the first time Imperial Cavalry squash my army. I need to find yet a way to defeat it.

I just checked magnates of Lithuania and they look not very promising. 4 out of 5 strongest magnates do not like the new king. One of them, Jaunutis, is actually the Regent. So Girdenis IV life could be short :unsure:

 

[unmerged(75409)]

I just checked magnates of Lithuania and they look not very promising. 4 out of 5 strongest magnates do not like the new king. One of them, Jaunutis, is actually the Regent. So Girdenis IV life could be short :unsure:

Appease two of them, imprison the third, and when the fourth rebels, crush him ^^

 

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King Girdenis IV the Great(Part I)

Kovas (fight, battle) – the god of war and power. His symbols are a black horse, black rooster or rook. The first month of spring is called Kovas (March) because war campaigns are started in the first month of spring. Warriors pray for Kovas riding horses, wearing armour and with weapons in hands. Sometimes war prisoners are sacrificed for Kovas. The most faithful followers formed the Order of Rook. ​

Girdenis IV ascended to the throne when he was just 11 year old. Jaunutis, Duke of Livonia was appointed the Regent of Lithuania. Polish magnates and even some of the most powerful Lithuanian magnates were unhappy with a weak boy taking the throne in face of imminent danger from the west. There were rumours about a conspiracy against the young King involving the Regent of Lithuania himself, the oldest member of Gediminaitis dynasty. In order to protect her son, the Queen Mother Klementia Meinhardiner, daughter of late Queen Beatrix I of Hungary used all her influence to fire Jaunutis from the Council and remove him from the palace under an escort of troops loyal to the Mother Queen on 10 August 1393.

Three days later Emperor Ordulf declared war which probably saved Lithuania from a nasty civil war. However, the Emperor knew that the Queen Mother could not raise big enough army to resist the invasion. Besides Lithuania was at war with Count Oleg Rurikovich of Galich Mersky, who was the de facto ruler of Principality of Vladimir and all its armies were in the east since 1391.

Klementia, decided not to wait for the Imperial forces to arrive to Lithuania but to invade the Empire herself. Lithuanian army of about 35,000 men entered Imperial Pomeralia and began a siege of Schlawe. Lithuanians managed to win several skirmishes against Imperial forces sent to relieve Schlawe. In mid October 1393 about 20,000 Imperial troops were assembled at Colberg. Klementia was confident in her victory and marched her army to meet Teutons. On 20 October 1393, the armies met at Colberg. The battle resulted in carnage of Lithuanian army. Once again Imperial Heavy Cavalry proved its superiority on a battlefield. The siege of Schlawe was lifted and the remnants of Lithuanian army retreated to Danzig.

The main armies of Emperor Ordulf arrived to Greater Poland few days later and laid it waste. In late November 1393, Klementia sought peace and a treaty was signed on 8 December 1393 whereby Greater Poland was passed to the Holy Roman Empire’s control.

After securing western border Klementia pressed Count Oleg and forced him to surrender Pereyaslavl Zalesky on 27 March 1394.

In April 1394, a plot to assassinate Girdenis IV was discovered and plotters were punished. It was rumoured that Mother Queen Klementia in fact fabricated accusations in order to get rid of some unwanted people. Two months later Polish magnates under leadership of Duke Sieciech II Subislawowic of Pomeralia revolted. The revolt was supported by Duke Mieszko VII of Lesser Poland, Duke Przemyslaw II of Sandomiersk, Duke Jaunutis of Livonia and some other lesser bajorai.

The civil war lasted for two years until Emperor Ordulf declared war against Duke Sieciech II. In the light of the new danger white peace was agreed between Mother Queen Klementia and the rebels.

On 22 November 1397, King Girdenis IV came of age and Mother Queen Klementia passed the rule of the kingdom to him. One of the first things Girdenis IV did was a military reform. He knew very well already that Lithuanian cavalry did not have a chance to defeat seemingly invincible Imperial Heavy Cavalry. It was also obvious that Lithuanian archers were inefficient against heavy armour.

A son of Baron Virmantas of Suvalkai Lubartas is Suvalkai, Hetman of Lithuania was given the task of modernisation of Lithuanian army. Hetman Lubartas focused on heavy infantry and developed a tactics suitable for it which included a fortified defence in the initial stage of a battle and then pursuit of exhausted attackers.

On 12 July 1394, King Bruno the Wicked of Hungary died and his throne was taken by his son Gedvilas Gediminaitis who was just a 3 year old toddler.

In April 1402, Emperor Ordulf crushed King Heinrich VI von Hohenstaufen of Sicily which ended the 208 year von Hohenstaufens' rule of the Kingdom of Sicily. Following extensive preparations, on 25 March 1403, Ordulf declared war against Gedvilas of Hungary. Mother Queen Dannila, Regent of Hungary asked for help from Girdenis IV. Like his mother Klementia, Girdenis IV decided to avoid a direct confrontation with the heavily outnumbering Ordulf’s army. Lithuanian levies, about 40,000 men, led by Duke Kantibutas II of Moskva marched to Pomerania to capture cities and castles not too far from the Baltic Sea where Lithuanian army could be easily supplied and evacuated in the face of great danger if it was necessary. Another army of about 40,000 soldiers led by Hetman Lubartas marched to Hungary through hostile Silesia.

Lubartas is Suvalkai, Hetman of Lithuania *


Kantibutas II defeated several German local armies and took one city after another without significant resistance.

Ordulf practically ignored Lithuanian army in Pomerania and with about 150,000 men devastated the Duchy of Esztergom. In September 1403, Christian Hungarians and Germans led by Duke Moric Rurikovich of Slovakia rebelled against Gedvilas rule.

On 24 June 1404, Gedvilas army of 37,000 men led by Mayor Bruno of Krosno met advancing Imperial Army of 34,000 led by Duke Philipp Gediminaitis of Beneveto at Heves. Hungarians fought bravely and destroyed Philipp’s army. Bruno was heavily injured and later died on 7 July 1404. Philipp managed to escape from the battlefield but was later accused with cowardice and removed from the command of Imperial Army.

Ordulf assembled together his three armies and one week later on 14 July 1404 attacked still recovering Hungarian army at the same Heves. The Second Battle of Heves was a disaster for Gedvilas. His 26,000 men were annihilated by 80,000 Teutons led by Duke Ordulf Ludowinger of Thuringia.

Hetman Lubartas arrived to Esztergom in September 1404. His task was to liberate Hungarian cities and towns without engaging Ordulf’s armies. However, on 18 October 1404, Lubartas’ army was caught by Imperial Army led by Duke Markward von Hohenstaufen of Calabria. Contrary to Girdenis IV orders instead of retreating Lubartas decided to prepare for a battle and face dreaded Imperial Heavy Cavalry at Bazin.

On 19 October 1404, 40,000 Lithuanians stood against 37,000 Teutons. Teutons expecting easy victory once again charged Lithuanian lines. However, Lithuanians did not shatter this time. Imperial Heavy Cavalry charge was blunted by wolf pits, long pikes and a wall of shields of heavy infantry. An Imperial infantry assault also failed terribly and well organised Lithuanian heavy infantry broke through panicking Teutons. At last Lithuanian light and heavy cavalry which was in reserves all the time began pursuit of defeated enemies. Only 9,000 Teutons, including Duke Markward managed to escape and only 5,000 Lithuanians laid their heads at Bazin.

It was the biggest ever Lithuanian victory so far and Lubartas’ army stayed intact. Girdenis IV arrived to congratulate Lubartas. The army liberated towns and castles in Pressburg County and marched to Sopron.

Ordulf was shocked to find out about the defeat. He organised the remaining troops in Hungary into another massive army. Girdenis IV received information from his Hungarian allies about coming Imperial Army and tried to leave Sopron by crossing the Danube. However, Ordulf’s army marched to Sopron day and night and stumbled on Girdenis IV army at Gyor.

On 12 December 1404, Lubartas positioned his army between the Danube, left flank and the Mosoni Danube, right flank and centre. The weather was not very freezing and ice was not formed on the rivers. Even though 76,000 strong Imperial Army had numerical superiority against 36,000 strong Lithuanian army, Teutons had to cross the Mosoni Danube.

At dawn of the same day, Ordulf sounded an attack. After initial missile fire, Imperial infantry and light cavalry began an assault. Lithuanians were pushed back from the Mosoni Danube and Imperial Heavy Cavalry joined the fight. However, then a heavy infantry company of the Order of the Black Axe, which was hiding south of Gyor, attacked Teutons from behind slaughtering stunned Imperial archers. Panic began and many routed Teutons drowned in the Danube and the Mosoni Danube. Lithuanian cavalry of the Order of Rook chased the rest and captured Imperial camp together with Duke Ordulf, commander of the right Imperial flank. It was the same Duke Ordulf who commanded Imperial army at Jasto 15 years ago and decisively defeated Girdenis III. Due to the lack of funds and high respect Duke Ordulf was soon released in exchange for a ransom.

The Battle of Gyor **

The victory was astonishing but about 32,000 Imperial soldiers, including the majority of Imperial Heavy Cavalry avoided capture. Girdenis IV decided to march his 18,000 strong army back to Pressburg. All spring Lithuanians ravaged Nyitra but on 23 July 1405, Duke Markward’s army of 25,000 men defeated Hetman Lubartas’ 12,000 strong army at Nyitra. Lubartas was fatally wounded by an arrow at the beginning of the battle which caused confusion and subsequent defeat. Lithuanian reinforcements were too late. Girdenis IV then marched his army back to Lithuania for reorganisation while Duke Kantibutas II significantly reduced army continued town sieges in the Duchy of Mecklenburg.

At the same time Duke Visvaldis of Galich, who became the Duke of Galich in 1383 then lost it in 1387 to Volodar II Rurikovich and then took it back after several years of wars in 1397, waged his own expansionist wars inside and outside of Lithuania. In 1405 he conquered the last Moldavian province Birlad further expanding the Kingdom of Lithuania.

Civil wars in Europe calmed down. King Luis of Castile united Castile once again. Aragon Plantagenets defeated Duke Artau de Barcelona. King Ioakim of Bulgaria subdued Duke Ognen but he soon after that died. His son Sava ascended to the throne and a new civil war began.

King Niklas of Anatolia kept his crown. After 25 years, the civil war ended in Egypt.

The King of Serbia in light of pagan threat from the north swore fealty to Empress Thekla the Great. However, Queen Elizabeth II of Croatia followed her mother’s steps and rebelled against Byzantine rule again.

​

* It is a picture of the first Hetman of Lithuania Konstantinas Ostrogskis.

** It is a picture of the Battle of Orsha when 25,000-30,000 Lithuanians and Poles led by Konstantinas Ostrogskis defeated 80,000 Russians.

 

[DensleyBlair]

A very interesting update - and good to see a Lithuanian victory in a battle against the Empire.

Hopefully this will breed more successes for Girdenis and his descendants.