Kęstutis

Kęstutis
Seal of Kęstutis
Grand Duke of Lithuania
Reign1345?–1382
Attested:
1349–1351
1381–1382
PredecessorUnclear:
Jaunutis
Algirdas
or Jogaila
SuccessorJogaila
Co-rulerAlgirdas
Jogaila
Bornc. 1297
Senieji Trakai, Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Died1382 (aged 84–85)
Kreva, Grand Duchy of Lithuania
SpouseBirutė
Issue9, including
Vytautas
Sigismund Kęstutaitis
Danutė of Lithuania
DynastyGediminids
FatherGediminas
MotherJaunė
ReligionBaltic religion

Kęstutis (c. 1297 – 3 or 15 August 1382) was the sole Duke of Trakai from 1342 to 1382 and Grand Duke of Lithuania, believed to rule together with his brother Algirdas (until 1377), and with his nephew Jogaila (from 1377 to 1381).

The name "Kęstutis" is a derivative from the old form of the name Kęstas, which is a shortened version of such Lithuanian names as Kęstaras, Kęstautas (there kęs-ti means to cope). Historic writing sources reflect different Lithuanian pronunciation.