Samogitia had its own ducal families, distinct from the Lithuanian elder dukes: in 1219 two of them, Erdvilas and Vykintas, sign apart from the Lithuanians.
Who led them on 1 January 1200 is unknown; the lands they ruled are drawn as the Samogitian provinces.
Who he is
- Name
- not pinned (in 1219 the 'Samogitian dukes' are Erdvilas and Vykintas)
- Title
- dukes of Samogitia
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- The Galician-Volhynian chronicle calls Vykintas the maternal uncle of Tautvilas and Edivydas, the sons of Dausprungas, so his sister married into the Lithuanian elder family (date not pinned); earlier ties are not recorded.
- Confidence
- low
The treaty of 1219 is the first mention. Vykintas led Samogitia against the Livonian Order and against Mindaugas into the 1250s, so in 1200 he was a boy or unborn. The 1200 heads of these families are not named.
What it holds
- the hillforts and people of the Samogitian lands, in shares not recorded
How it was acquired
By inheritance.
Allies and rivals
Allied with the Lithuanian dukes; relations with the Curonians and Semigallians not recorded.
How things stand that morning
Rule Samogitia with the elders of its lands; not pinned in detail.
Wealth
Farming, cattle, horses, forest goods.
Military
Mounted retinues and levies; hillforts.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: First recorded in 1219.
Sources and studies
- Wikipedia, History of Lithuania (1219-1295): the treaty of 1219, the elder dukes, raid counts (Kiaupa 2000, Baranauskas 2003)
- Hypatian Codex (Kievan Chronicle to 1200, Galician-Volhynian Chronicle after), Ukrainian tr. L. Makhnovets, Litopys ruskyi (1989), years 1196-1223 with corrected dates
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.