Butigeidis

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Butigeidis (Budikid; Belarusian: Будзікід; died 1290 or 1291) was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1285 to 1290 or 1291.^[1] He assumed power after the death of Daumantas.^[2] He is the first known and undisputed member of the Gediminids.^[2]

He started his rule when the Livonian Order and the Teutonic Knights were finalizing their conquest of the Baltic tribes.^[2] In 1289, leading about 8,000 troops, Butigeidis attacked Sambia.^[2] In 1289 the Teutonic Knights built a castle in Tilsit and their raids intensified. Lithuanians were forced to abandon Kolainių Castle located on the other bank of the Neman River.^[2] Butigeidis was the first to build strong castles along the Neman River.^[2] The castle system was further developed after his death and helped to resist the raids until the second half of the 14th century.^[2]

Butigeidis transferred Vawkavysk to Galicia-Volhynia in exchange for peace.^[2] He died in 1290 or 1292, and his brother Butvydas (also known as Pukuveras) inherited the crown.^[2]