Vytautas the Great

===1377–1384===

===1377–1384===

{{Main|Lithuanian Civil War (1381–1384)}}

{{Main|Lithuanian Civil War (1381–1384)}}

Vytautas' uncle [[Algirdas]] had been [[Grand Duke of Lithuania]] until his death in 1377. Algirdas and Vytautas' father [[Kęstutis]] had ruled [[Coregency|jointly]], with Algirdas governing the east and Kęstutis the west, primarily responsible for defense against the [[Teutonic Order]]. Algirdas was succeeded by his son [[Władysław II Jagiełło|Jogaila]], and a struggle for power ensued. In 1380, Jogaila signed the secret [[Treaty of Dovydiškės]] with the Teutonic Order against Kęstutis. When Kęstutis discovered this in 1381, he seized [[Vilnius]], imprisoned Jogaila, and made himself Grand Duke. However, Jogaila escaped and raised an army against Kęstutis. The two sides confronted each other but never engaged in battle. Kęstutis was ready to negotiate, but he and Vytautas were arrested and transported to [[Kreva Castle]]. One week later, Kęstutis was found dead. Whether he died of natural causes or was murdered is still a matter of debate.

Vytautas' uncle [[Algirdas]] had been [[Grand Duke of Lithuania]] until his death in 1377. Algirdas and Vytautas' father [[Kęstutis]] had ruled [[Coregency|jointly]], with Algirdas governing the east and Kęstutis the west, primarily responsible for defense against the [[Teutonic Order]]. Algirdas was succeeded by his son [[Władysław II Jagiełło|Jogaila]], and a struggle for power ensued. In 1380, Jogaila signed the secret [[Treaty of Dovydiškės]] with the Teutonic Order against Kęstutis. When Kęstutis discovered this in 1381, he seized [[Vilnius]], imprisoned Jogaila, and made himself Grand Duke. However, Jogaila escaped and raised an army against Kęstutis. The two sides confronted each other but never engaged in battle. Kęstutis was ready to negotiate, but he and Vytautas were arrested and transported to [[Kreva Castle]]. One week later, Kęstutis was found dead. Whether he died of natural causes or was murdered is still a matter of debate.

===1385–1392===

===1385–1392===

{{Main|Lithuanian Civil War (1389–1392)}}

{{Main|Lithuanian Civil War (1389–1392)}}

[[File:Map of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (pink) and the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (red) in 1386 - 1434.png|thumb|Poland and Lithuania, 1386–1434]]

[[File:Map of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (pink) and the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (red) in 1386 - 1434.png|thumb|Poland and Lithuania, 1386–1434]]

In 1385, [[Władysław II Jagiełło|Jogaila]] concluded the [[Union of Krewo]] with [[Poland]], under which he married [[Jadwiga of Poland]] and became King of Poland as Władysław II Jagiełło.

In 1385, [[Władysław II Jagiełło|Jogaila]] concluded the [[Union of Krewo]] with [[Poland]], under which he married [[Jadwiga of Poland]] and became King of Poland as Władysław II Jagiełło.

===Wars against the Teutonic Order===

===Wars against the Teutonic Order===

{{Main|Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War}}

{{Main|Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War}}

[[File:Vytautas the Great Monument in Kaunas.JPG|thumb|[[Statue of Vytautas the Great]] in [[Kaunas]]]]

[[File:Vytautas the Great Monument in Kaunas.JPG|thumb|[[Statue of Vytautas the Great]] in [[Kaunas]]]]

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