The hillfort at Ukmergė on the Šventoji is taken by historians as the centre of the land of Deltuva, whose four dukes sign the treaty of 1219.
The town's name (Vilkmergė) is first written in the 14th century; in 1200 it is an earth and timber fort with a settlement.
Who holds it
- Title
- the dukes and elders of the land
- Since
- not pinned
- Confidence
- low
the dukes of Deltuva (names not pinned; in 1219 Judikis, Pukeikis, Bikšys and Ligeikis)
Lord in 1200
the dukes of Deltuva (names not pinned; in 1219 Judikis, Pukeikis, Bikšys and Ligeikis)
How things stand that morning
Held by the dukes of Deltuva; not pinned in detail.
Charter
none: a hillfort under the dukes and elders of its land, with no written privileges
Council
the assembly of the land's leading men; no town institutions
Communities
local people only; no foreign merchants recorded
Fairs and markets
none recorded
Militia
the men of the surrounding farms, who take refuge in the fort in war
Walls and castle
Earth and timber fort on the river bluff.
Trade and crafts
smiths, potters and bone-workers at the foot of the hill; local exchange (not pinned in detail)
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Deltuva's centre at Ukmergė is a historians' inference.
Primary sources for Lithuanians
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- The Chronicle of Novgorod (kept year by year; the Synodal manuscript written in the 13th and 14th centuries). Novgorod's own record, kept at St Sophia. Read online
- The Livonian Chronicle of Henry, Henry of Livonia (1225 to 1227). The chief source for the Baltic mission. Read online
Sources and studies
- Wikipedia, History of Lithuania (1219-1295): the treaty of 1219, the elder dukes, raid counts (Kiaupa 2000, Baranauskas 2003)
- Wikipedia, Lithuania proper (Lowmianski: between the Neman, the Neris and the Merkys; Baranauskas 2002, 'Kur buvo Lietuvos zeme?': round Asmena)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.