The Palemonids, Gediminids, and Samogitians: Some Remarks on Lithuanistics in the Chronicle of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Samogitia Cover Image

Palemonidai, Gediminaičiai ir žemaičiai: kelios pastabos apie lituanistiką „Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės ir Žemaitijos kronikoje“
The Palemonids, Gediminids, and Samogitians: Some Remarks on Lithuanistics in the Chronicle of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Samogitia

Author(s): Eugenijus Saviščevas
Subject(s): Ethnohistory, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, 15th Century, 16th Century
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla
Keywords: Lithuanian Annals; Chronicle of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Samogitia; Bychowiec Chronicle; Theory/Legend of Lithuanian Roman Origin; Gediminids; Palemonids; Samogitia; Onomastics;

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the hypothesis on the possible influence of a Samogitian nobleman on the author of the chronicle of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Samogitia. In the chronicle Lithuania and its ruling dynasty are traced back to Samogitia. The tradition of Gediminids’ pagan names in Samogitia suggests that the author of the chronicle was looking for an informer in this region and perhaps used the local naming tradition to create the names of the legendary Palemonids. The plot of the 1440 Samogitians Uprising, which appears in the Bychowec chronicle, as well as some indirect references, suggest that Stanislovas Orvydas may have been the informer.

  • Issue Year: 2021
  • Issue No: 48
  • Page Range: 8-32
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Lithuanian