You have probably read and heard various stories about how the rulers of old Lithuania tried to establish themselves in power. Whether it was the unification of lands by King Mindaugas, the murder of Grand Duke Kęstutis blamed on Jogaila, Vytautas the Great's adventures with the Crusaders, or dynastic coups, or any other attempts to wrest power and influence from competitors.
And did you know that 480 years ago, in 1544 On October 22, Žygimantas Augustas (1520-1572) solemnly entered Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and settled there as the Grand Duke of Lithuania? In this way, the separation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the Kingdom of Poland and at least formal subordination to the Polish king was symbolically demonstrated.
But about everything at first.
A group of Lithuanian nobles has long been demanding greater separation of the duchy from the Kingdom of Poland. They have been complaining for several years that the Grand Duke lives too little in Lithuania. When he resided in Kraków and in the absence of the ruler's estate in Vilnius, the Poles could influence and interfere in the affairs of Lithuania.
in 1544 autumn Brest The Seimas a number of important state issues related to clergy land management taxes, appointment of officials, LDK farm and treasury were resolved. The father of Žygimantas Augustus, then King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Žygimantas the Elder (1467-1548), also resolved this issue raised by the nobles.
The ruler took into account the request and came up with the idea to strengthen the independence of the LDK by entrusting the management of Lithuania to his 23-year-old son Žygimantas Augustus. The idea also suited nobles. This was what the son himself wanted, and the Radvilas also supported the candidacy. in 1544 October 6 In Brest, Žygymantas Senasis signed a deed handing over control of LDK to his son.
The young ruler became the Grand Duke of Lithuania (magnus dux Lithuaniae), and Žygimantas the Elder became the Supreme Duke of Lithuania (supremus dux Lithuaniae). Although Žygimantas Augustus ruled Lithuania only in the absence of his father, he had considerable influence: he had an independent ruler's court, could appoint all secular and spiritual officials, and could use the grand duke's domain for his own purposes. All documents were approved by Žygymantas Augustas with his seal.
However, the son had to carry out foreign policy in consultation with his father. Also, Žygymantas Senasis maintained the supervision of the treasury of the LDK, paying his son 18000 kapa grasi each year and allocating an additional 8000 gold for the maintenance of two hundred horses.
Since 1544 October LDK had a separate and independent ruler. Žygimantas Augustas became the de facto ruler of Poland only after his father's death in 1548. At first, he opposed the union of LDK with Poland, because he hoped to leave the throne to his heirs. in 1569 after the Union of Lublin took place, Žygymantas Augustas, who established himself in power, automatically became the ruler of the Republic of the Two Peoples without elections.
The 90×70 cm portrait of Žygimantas Augustus, preserved in the art collection of the Vytautas Great War Museum, dates back to the 3th century. 1888 Dec. painted by Jonas Janulis (1973-XNUMX). Coins minted during the reign of Žygimantas Augustus are also kept in the Vytautas Great War Museum. Note the monograms "SA" - Sigismund Augustus.
01 - 4 gram silver coin, 1568 Diameter - 23,8 mm, weight - 4,25 g.
02 - 3 gram silver coin, 1563 Diameter - 21,2 mm, weight - 2,92 g.
03 - 3 gram silver coin, 1562 Diameter - 27,5 mm, weight - 7,13 g.
04 - 2 denar silver coin, 1569 Diameter - 14 mm, weight - 0,46 g.
