Michael Žygimantaitis

Michael Žygimantaitis[1] (Lithuanian: Mykolas Žygimantaitis, Polish: Michał Bolesław Zygmuntowicz; before 1406 – shortly before February 10, 1452 in Moscow) was pretender to the throne of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the last male descendant of Kęstutis, Grand Duke of Lithuania.[2]

Prince Michael (as depicted in the Illustrated Chronicle of Ivan the Terrible)

He supported his father Sigismund Kęstutaitis in power struggles with Švitrigaila. In 1435 he led his father's army to victory in the Battle of Pabaiskas. After his father's assassination in 1440, Michael unsuccessfully fought against Casimir IV Jagiellon for the title of the Grand Duke of Lithuania. At first Michael was supported by Samogitia, but in 1441 Casimir issued a privilege confirming Samogitia's semi-autonomous status and thus avoiding a civil war.[1] Until 1447, he was supported by the Dukes of Masovia. In 1448, Michael asked help from the Crimean Khanate. With their help he attacked and shortly took control of Kiev, Starodub, Novhorod-Siversky.[2] Soon he was captured and transported to the Grand Duchy of Moscow where he died under unclear circumstances (possibly poisoned) in 1452.[2] He was buried in Vilnius Cathedral.

At different times Michael was married to two daughters of Alexandra of Lithuania and Siemowit IV, Duke of Masovia: Anna and Catherine.[3] In total he had three wives, all from Masovia: Anna (died in 1435), Eufemia (died in 1436) daughter of Bolesław Januszowic, and Catherine (died in 1479/80).[4]

References
  1. Kiaupa, Zigmantas; Jūratė Kiaupienė; Albinas Kunevičius (2000) [1995]. The History of Lithuania Before 1795 (English ed.). Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History. p. 213. ISBN 9986-810-13-2.
  2. Gudavičius, Edvardas (2004). "Mykolas Žygimantaitis". In Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.). Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.): enciklopedinis žinynas (in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas. p. 97. ISBN 5-420-01535-8.
  3. Vaclovas Biržiška, ed. (1933–1944). "Aleksandra". Lietuviškoji enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). I. Kaunas: Spaudos Fondas. p. 219.
  4. Urban, William (2003). Tannenberg and After. Chicago: Lithuanian Research and Studies Center. p. 1479. ISBN 0-929700-25-2.

Further reading
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