Lengvenis (13th century)
Encyclopedia
Lengvenis was one of the local dukes in the early Grand Duchy of Lithuania
during the reign of King Mindaugas
(1230s–1263). First mentioned in 1242, Lengvenis was a nephew of Mindaugas (a son of his sister).
Around 1245, Lengvenis led Mindaugas' armies against Volhynia
and was injured near Mielnik
. Dukes of neighboring lands, three brothers Gineika, Milgerinas (Milgrynas) and Tučė (Dučius), grew unhappy with expanding power of Mindaugas and his clan. Just after the Volhynian campaign, they allied with the Livonian Order
invaded Lengvenis' estate (believed to be in Nalšia
, northeastern Lithuania with the center in Ginučiai
Hillfort). Lengvenis and his family was captured and taken to Riga
. Lengvenis' younger brother attempted to rescue them en route to Livonia, but was killed. After a ransom of 500 half groschen
was paid, Lengvenis returned to his devastated estate. Lengvenis retaliated around 1247, when he successfully led a military campaign against the komtur
of Cēsis
. He defeated 500 men guarding the castle, killing the komtur and eight other knights.
He was mentioned for the last time in June 1260 as a witness to Mindaugas' act granting Lithuania to the Livonian Order in case he died without a legitimate heir. However, the act is considered to be a Livonian forgery.
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
during the reign of King Mindaugas
Mindaugas
Mindaugas was the first known Grand Duke of Lithuania and the only King of Lithuania. Little is known of his origins, early life, or rise to power; he is mentioned in a 1219 treaty as an elder duke, and in 1236 as the leader of all the Lithuanians...
(1230s–1263). First mentioned in 1242, Lengvenis was a nephew of Mindaugas (a son of his sister).
Around 1245, Lengvenis led Mindaugas' armies against Volhynia
Volhynia
Volhynia, Volynia, or Volyn is a historic region in western Ukraine located between the rivers Prypiat and Southern Bug River, to the north of Galicia and Podolia; the region is named for the former city of Volyn or Velyn, said to have been located on the Southern Bug River, whose name may come...
and was injured near Mielnik
Mielnik
Mielnik is a village in Siemiatycze County, Podlaskie Voivodeship, in north-eastern Poland, close to the border with Belarus. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Mielnik...
. Dukes of neighboring lands, three brothers Gineika, Milgerinas (Milgrynas) and Tučė (Dučius), grew unhappy with expanding power of Mindaugas and his clan. Just after the Volhynian campaign, they allied with the Livonian Order
Livonian Order
The Livonian Order was an autonomous Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order and a member of the Livonian Confederation from 1435–1561. After being defeated by Samogitians in the 1236 Battle of Schaulen , the remnants of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword were incorporated into the Teutonic Knights...
invaded Lengvenis' estate (believed to be in Nalšia
Nalšia
Nalšia or Nalšėnai was an ancient land in the early stages of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It is mentioned in written sources from 1229 to 1298. The references to it cease as it was fully incorporated into the Grand Duchy...
, northeastern Lithuania with the center in Ginučiai
Ginuciai
Ginučiai is a village on the shore of the Lake Linkmenas in the Aukštaitija National Park, Ignalina district of Lithuania. According to the 2001 census, its population was 69. It is best known for its 19th-century watermill. It is one of the few mills in Lithuania that survive with the original...
Hillfort). Lengvenis and his family was captured and taken to Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
. Lengvenis' younger brother attempted to rescue them en route to Livonia, but was killed. After a ransom of 500 half groschen
Groschen
Groschen was the name for a coin used in various German-speaking states as well as some non-German-speaking countries of Central Europe , the Danubian principalities...
was paid, Lengvenis returned to his devastated estate. Lengvenis retaliated around 1247, when he successfully led a military campaign against the komtur
Komtur
Komtur was a rank within military orders, especially the Teutonic Knights. In the State of the Teutonic Order, the Komtur was the commander of a basic administrative division called Kommende . A Komtur was responsible for the alimentation of the Knights by the yield from the local estates, he...
of Cēsis
Cesis
Cēsis , is a town in Latvia located in the northern part of the Central Vidzeme Upland. Cēsis is on the Gauja River valley, and is built on a series of ridges above the river overlooking the woods below...
. He defeated 500 men guarding the castle, killing the komtur and eight other knights.
He was mentioned for the last time in June 1260 as a witness to Mindaugas' act granting Lithuania to the Livonian Order in case he died without a legitimate heir. However, the act is considered to be a Livonian forgery.