page_title: Kęstutis
section_title: Early life and division of power
hierarchical_section_title: Kęstutis / Early life and division of power
caption_attribution_description: Lietuvių: Senųjų Trakų piliavietė iš pietų, Trakų raj.
context_page_description: Kęstutis was a ruler of medieval Lithuania. He was the Duke of Trakai and governed the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 1342–1382, together with his brother Algirdas, and with his nephew Jogaila. He ruled over the Lithuanians and Ruthenians.
  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. Historic writing sources reflect different Lithuanian pronunciation.
context_section_description: Kęstutis was the son of the Grand Duke Gediminas. His younger brother, Jaunutis, succeeded his father as Grand Duke of Lithuania. Together with his brother Algirdas, Kestutis conspired to remove Jaunutis from power. They were successful in their efforts. They divided their holdings into an eastern and western sphere of influence. The Duchy of Trakai was established in 1337 as a result. Kęstutis's efforts were concentrated in the west, while Algirdas' were concentrated in the eastern part of these territories. Kęstutis organized the defence of western Lithuania and Samogitia against the Teutonic Knights, and organized raids against the German Order. During Kęstutis's rule Teutonic raids into Lithuania reached the peak.
caption: The hillfort of Senieji Trakai Castle where the wedding of Grand Duke Kęstutis and Birutė was held
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