On the phenomenon of Knighthood in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century: raising the issue
ENThis article deals with a rather narrow problem that is set in a broad peripheral context. The historiography discusses whether knighthood in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania could have functioned as a socio-cultural phenomenon. Current historiography argues that the phenomenon emerged and spread in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the end of the 14th century, after the conversion of Lithuania. Meanwhile, earlier receptions of the ideas of knighthood are hardly visible. This article attempts to review three well-known sources relating to the reign of Gediminas in which the importance of chivalry becomes clear. These sources testify that the ruler understood the importance of the phenomenon of knighthood in the first half of the 14th century and updated it. We also know that there were knights in Gediminas’ entourage who were personally close to him. Finally, among the members of the dynasty, we can see an awareness of the expression of chivalric culture and ethics. All this suggests that the phenomenon of knighthood was known in Gediminas’ surrounding as well as that it was gradually adapted. Further research may reveal the spread of this phenomenon. Keywords: Gediminas, 14th century, knighthood, letters of Gediminas, Philippe de Mezieres, Jean d’Outremeuse (Jean des Preis). [From the publication]
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