The genesis of the vóivòde district of Trakai

The present article is aimed at an analysis of political – administrative structures in Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Dukes Stakys and Živinbudas, mentioned in a source before the Grand Duke of Lithuania, could have been brothers. Their patrimonial estates were Lithuania (proper mean) and Kernavė. Terra Lithuania (in proper mean) was the patrimony of Mindaugas. Later Kernavė was the domain of Traidenis. Irrefutable is Mindaugas’ relationship with Stakys and Traidenis’ relationship with Živinbudas. When Mindaugas’ family died out, the rule of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was in the hands of Mindaugas’ relatives at least until 1285. The domain of Gediminaičiai was Mindaugas’ and Traidenis’ domains. Trakai became the second most important centre at the end of the 13th century. After the intensification of fights in the west, Lithuania changed its tradition and Trakai became the first most important centre until 1323, when Vilnius became the capital of the Grand Duchy. Kernavė lost its importance and Trakai was ruled by the second man of the hierarchy. The Duke of Trakai was responsible for the southwest territories. Gardinas was dependent on the Duke of Trakai. Its ruler was Dovydas Gardiniškis and later – his son Patrikas. Kęstutis made Gardinas the patrimony of Vytautas, who after 1413 annexed it to the Trakai lands. The system of Panemunės Castles was a part of the Duke’s domain. However, long-lasting fights with the Order was the reason why the system of Panemunės Castles was not annexed to Trakai Vaivadija (district) in 1413. The Vóivòde District of Trakai contained all the lands of Kęstutaičiai, except Naugardukas and Panemunė