Dmitry of Bryansk facts for kids
Dmitry the Older (also known as Dmitry of Bryansk) was an important figure in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He was born in the 1320s and passed away on August 12, 1399, during the Battle of the Vorskla River. Dmitry was the second son of Algirdas, who was the Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his first wife, Maria of Vitebsk. He ruled as the Duke of Bryansk for many years, from 1356 to 1379, and again from 1388 until his death in 1399.
Becoming Duke of Bryansk
In 1356, Dmitry's father, Grand Duke Algirdas, took control of the region of Bryansk. This area included important towns like Trubetsk and Starodub. Algirdas then gave this land to his son Dmitry to govern.
Bryansk was located far to the northeast of the main lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It shared a border with the Grand Duchy of Moscow, which was another powerful state at the time. In 1370, Dmitri Donskoi, the Grand Duke of Moscow, tried to take over Bryansk, but he was not successful. Two years later, in 1372, Dmitry was present when his father Algirdas and Dmitri Donskoi signed an important agreement called the Treaty of Lyubutsk.
Family Conflicts and New Alliances
After his father Algirdas died in 1377, a disagreement arose over who should rule Lithuania next. Dmitry supported his older brother, Andrei of Polotsk. They were against their younger half-brother, Jogaila, who eventually became the new Grand Duke of Lithuania.
Andrei believed he should be the ruler. He formed a group of allies against Jogaila and Lithuania. This group included cities like Polotsk and Pskov, the Livonian Order, and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Dmitry didn't fight directly against Lithuania in this conflict. When Moscow's army attacked his lands in Bryansk in 1379, he didn't defend them. Instead, Dmitry and his family went with the retreating Russian army to Moscow. There, Dmitri Donskoi gave him control of the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky.
In 1380, Dmitry led a group of Russian soldiers in a major battle. This was the Battle of Kulikovo, where they fought against the Golden Horde. Historical records from Russia praise Dmitry and his brother for their excellent battle strategies during this fight.
Later Life and Legacy
After 1380, there are only a couple of mentions of Dmitry in historical writings. His brother Andrei was captured by Skirgaila's forces and held prisoner in Poland. After this, Dmitry made peace with Jogaila in 1388. By this time, Jogaila had also become the King of Poland. Dmitry then returned to rule his lands in Bryansk.
Dmitry's life ended in 1399 during the Battle of the Vorskla River. He was fighting against the Golden Horde once again when he passed away.
Dmitry had a son named Michał Trubetsky. Michał is known as the ancestor of the famous Trubetskoy family.
