XIV a. Medininkų žemės – Žemaitijos centro gynyba: Laukuvos ir Kaltinėnų priedanga

Abstract

During Lithuania's defence wars with the Teutonic Orders, which lasted for about 250 years (1185-1435) when vast Baltic territories between the rivers Vistula and Nemunas and southwest from the Daugava had been conquered, Zemaitija (Samogitia), the lying farthest in the West, became the defence centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Therefore, in the 14th century the central territories of Zemaitija were joined into one land, the region of Medininkai. The defence was concentrated in the highlands of Zemaiciai, the castle of Medvegalis becoming the centre. The attacks of the Teutonic Order on Medininkai region, Lithuania's advanced post in the West, in the years 1314, 1399 and 1400, did not undermine its defence power. During these attacks, the southwestern part of this land - Laukuvos region - had been devastated many times since 1314, and the southern part - the regions of Kaltinenai - since 1370. The Order suffered heavy defeats in 1320, 1370, 1375, 1389, and 1397. Despite heavy devastation of these regions, the attacks did not undermine the country's defence. The enemy was counter-attacked, and the withholding of a powerful enemy in these regions played a very important role in Lithuania's general situation. In the 14th century, the Order received the aid of West European dukes with their numerous knights who came to Prussia and Livonia already conquered by crusaders. They came to these territories from different parts in Germany, from France, Italy, Iberian peninsula countries, Scandinavia, England, Scotland Poland, and so on. Despite this tremendous support, the Order did not reach a decisive superiority in the war with Lithuania. It should be mentioned that a very important part in Lithuania's defence system was played by the castles: Medvegalis (it was last mentioned in the Meco chronicle, Lotharingia, as a strong castle situated in a sacred grove), Laukuva, Kaltinenai and others, situated along the now extinct river Akmena.