Vaišelga or Vaišvilkas (Vojszalak, Vojšalk, Vaišalgas[1], Woyszwiłk) (c. 1220-9 December 1268 in Volodymyr-Volynskyi) was the Prince of Black Ruthenia (1255 – 1267), and the Grand Duke of Lithuania (1264 – 1267). When he captured Navahradak, Vaišelga was baptized in Lavrashev Monastery and became orthodox. In 1255 he made a treaty, in the name of his father King Mindaugas, with Daniel of Halych-Volhynia. In the treaty Halych-Volhynia transfers Black Rutheria to Lithuania. Vaišelga was appointed as duke of some of these lands. He escaped assassination plot against his father. During internal fights and after Treniota's murder Vaišelga managed to regain father's powers and become the Grand Duke of Lithuania. He won against Daumantas, together with Shvarn, brother-in-law, attacked Poland in 1265. When in 1267 he decided to go bact to monastic life, Vaišelga transferred the title to Švarnas. A year later he was killed by Švarnas' brother, Leo I of Halych, who was angry that Vaišelga did not divide the powers between him and his brother.
Name
The original Lithuanian name of the Grand Duke has puzzled many linguists and historians. Their reconstructions resulted in two credible variants Vaišvilkas, based on Woyszwiłk and Vaišelga, based on Vojšalk. The name Vaišvilkas was first reconstructed by Kazimieras Būga. In fact, the first part of the double-stemmed name -vaiš causes no dispute and is attested in many similar names. However, the second part -vilkas, meaning "wolf" is very rare to non existent in Lithuanian names.[2] The incredibility of existence of such element, led to the hypothesis that the initial form of the name should have been Vaišvilas with the Old Slavic suffix -ak. The variant Vaišelga/Vaišalga is more probable, since the element -alg and -elg (generally meaning "to ask") is much more common in Lithuanian names. This name has gained more popularity in historical writings. Eventually, some researchers even suggest him having two names, one of them being Vaišvilas.
See also
- House of Mindaugas – family tree of Vaišelga
- List of Belarusian rulers
- List of Lithuanian rulers
| Preceded by Treniota |
Grand Prince of Lithuania 1264–1267 |
Succeeded by Švarnas |
References
- (Lithuanian) Vytautas Spečiūnas (ed.), Lietuvos valdovai (XIII-XVIII a.) (Rulers of Lithuania (13-18th centuries)), Mokslo ir enicklopedijų leidybos institutas, Vilnius 2004. Page 24. ISBN 5-420-01535-8
- Charles Cawley, Lithuania, Medieval Lands, Foundation for Medieval Genealogy. Accessed August 26, 2006.
