The Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland Jogaila, commemorated the Jagiellonian dynasty of the rulers of Poland and Lithuania.
Inheriting the Lithuanian throne after Algirdas' death (1377), Jogaila initially shared power with his uncle Kęstutis.1381 a conflict arose between Jogaila and Kęstutis and his son Vytautas. Kęstutis Jogaila in 1381. arrested and removed from power. The cause of the conflict was the Jagiellonian and German Order in 1380. the Dovydiškės contract was concluded, which disregarded the interests of Kęstutis. 1382 Jogaila was freed and he in turn managed to arrest his uncle. After Kęstutis' death in 1384. from the Lords of Lesser Poland, Jogaila received an offer to marry Yadwig, who holds the title of King of Poland, and to become King of Poland. At the suggestion of the Polish feudal lords, Jogaila in 1385. August 14 concluded the Krėva Treaty and united the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with Poland.
While the Jagiellon was still king of Poland, he gradually (1392–1401) had to hand over power to Vytautas. One of the most famous European politicians and soldiers, Vytautas the Great (1350–1430) - the Grand Duke of Lithuania since 1392, is commemorated on a postage stamp with a denomination of 0.55 Eur. until his death (son of the Grand Duke Kęstutis, cousin of Jogaila).
1392 according to the Treaty of Astrava, Vytautas regained the entire homeland of Kęstutis, including Trakai, and won the right to rule the entire GDL.
Despite the rivalry of the cousins, the Polish-Lithuanian union was formed during the rule of Jogaila. Jogaila and Vytautas pursued a common foreign policy, which quickly yielded results. It was first turned against the German Order: the war with it was crowned in 1410. The Battle of Grunwald, which ended in victory for the Polish and Lithuanian armies. The Order lost the halo of invincibility, but remained strong for a long time. Only in 1422. The peace of Black has achieved a lasting settlement of the relationship.
1413 The title of Grand Duke and full independence were recognized for Vytautas by the Treaty of Horodle. From the 16th century. In the noble consciousness of Lithuania at the beginning of the 19th century, Vytautas was considered a defender of Lithuanian interests. He was considered the greatest ruler of Lithuania ever, and his name embodied the ideal of the ruler. Since the 19th century. Vytautas Magnus University was named after him during the National Movement in 1918–1939. Many monuments were erected in Lithuanian cities and towns.
