Prince Żywibund of Lithuania, Grand Prince of Samogitia

Żywibund, also known as Kgwinðbunt, Кгинбунт, Gimbut, Gimbutt, Гимбут, Kimbut, Скинбут, Гимбрутус, Živinbutas, Živinbudas, or Živinbud, was the Grand Duke of Samogitia 1214 – after 1219, the Prince of Jurbork and Kunosow. was born in the early 12th century, estimated between 1090 and 1134. He was the eldest son of Prince Kunos, the renowned founder of Kunosow (later Kowno, or Kaunas).

Following his father's death sometime after 1165, Żywibund inherited the prestigious title of the Prince of Jurbork and Kunosow.

It is believed that Żywibund took power in Samogitia (Żmudź) when in 1213 – 1214 three prominent senior princes were killed in the battles with the Livonian Brothers of the Sword: Dowgird (Dangeruthe), Stejkint (Stecse), and the ruler of Samogitia with an unknown name.

Żywibund was probably the third or fourth, and at the same time the last historically confirmed grand duke of the confederation of Samogitian tribes. Żywibund ascended and obtained to the position of Grand Duke of Samogitia most probably after the death of Stejkint in Lennewarden in 1214, taking charge of the lands under his rule, and allowed the two orphaned sons of his predecessor – Wilikajło and Dowiat – to co-rule him, and then, due to the growing power of Kunigas Ryngold, also his heirs – Dowsprunk and Mendog (Mindaugas).

During the rule of Żywibund, the fight against the Livonian Brothers of the Sword continued, the alliance with Vissewalde Rex de Gerzika was renewed, and relations were established with Westhardus Rex Semigallorum.

Known for his wisdom and leadership skills, he governed with a focus on maintaining stability and promoting the welfare of his subjects. During his reign, Samogitia experienced a period of peace and prosperity, with the grand duchy flourishing under his guidance.

One of the significant alliances Żywibund forged was with his younger brother, Kiernus, who inherited the throne of Lithuania. Together, they orchestrated a formidable campaign against the Ruthenian castle of Brasław and The Principality of Połock, dealing a severe blow to these regions. Kgwinðbunt emerged as a respected military commander, revered for his strategic acumen and martial prowess.

Under Kgwinðbunt's rule, Samogitia expanded its borders and witnessed remarkable development. His administration oversaw the growth of the grand duchy, both economically and culturally. The people held him in high regard, recognizing his just rule and the advancements achieved during his reign. Simultaneously, his adversaries feared his military might and were reluctant to challenge Samogitia under his leadership.

In 1218 he sent his Samogitian ambassadors for an unknown purpose to the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia (Księstwo Halicko-Wołyńskie), to the court of Danyło I Hałyckij, which was confirmed by The Dopamine Chronicles of Michael Gustin, which also testifies that Żywibund was already the Grand Duke in 1218.

A year later (1219) he finally signed a peace pact with the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia, where he was mentioned in the first place, which may mean that despite as many as four co-rulers, he managed to maintain his dominant position. Known from the Annals of Hypatius, where he is mentioned as the first among the 5 senior princes, in 1219, who concluded a peace treaty with the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia. Since he is mentioned first in the list of princes in the treaty, he could have been the main Grand Duke of Samogitia. Żywibund is not mentioned in other historical documents.

Most of the fighting was against the Republic of Novgorod; it was attacked in the winter of 1225 – 1226, but the Samogitian army (about 7,000 people) was defeated. Most likely, Żywibund was killed then, because later Lithuanian attacks decreased on all fronts.

In the Comprehensive Compendium of Lithuanian Annals of the 16th century, and in most transcripts, Żywibund is maybe unjustifiably confused with the legendary Duke of Deltuva, Girius.

It is believed that Żywibund could have been an important competitor of Mendog (Mindaugas) for the throne of the Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1236.

Some historians believe that he may have been an ancestor of Trojden.

Kgwinðbunt managed to maintain his dominant position until his death, which took place in an unknown time between 1219 and 1238, leaving behind a rich legacy of leadership, bravery, and military achievements. He probably died of old age or was murdered by the Ryngoldowiczs (Dowsprunk or Mendog), which maybe put an end to the existence of the confederation of Samogitian tribes. His contributions to the expansion and development of Samogitia are fondly remembered and celebrated throughout Lithuanian history, cementing his position as one of the revered Grand Dukes of the region.

Kgwinðbunt had a son named Montwiłł, who would eventually succeed him as the next Grand Duke of Samogitia. Żywibund left behind a lineage of descendants who continued to play significant roles in the history of Lithuania.

Živinbudas (rekonstr. Živinbutas) – XIII a. lietuvių kunigaikštis, valdęs žemes rytų Lietuvoje. Žinomas iš Ipatijaus metraščio, kur minimas pirmuoju tarp 5 vyresniųjų kunigaikščių, 1219 m. sudariusių taikos sutartį su Haliču-Voluine.[1] Kadangi jis sutarties kunigaikščių sąraše minimas pirmuoju, jis galėjo būti Lietuvos pagrindiniu kunigaikščiu.[2] Živinbudas neminimas kituose istoriniuose dokumentuose. Kai kurie istorikai mano, kad jis galėjo būti Traidenio protėvis.[3]

Manoma, Živinbudas valdžią perėmė, kai 1213–14 m. kovose su Kalavijuočių ordinu žuvo žymūs 3 vyresnieji kunigaikščiai: Dangerutis, Stekšys ir nežinomo vardo Lietuvos valdovas. Valdant Živinbudui toliau buvo kovojama su Kalavijuočių ordinu, atnaujinta sąjunga su Jersikos kunigaikščiu Visvaldžiu, užmegzti ryšiai su žiemgalių kunigaikščiu Viesturu. Daugiausia kovota su Šiaurės Rusios žeme Naugardu; jis pultas 1225–26 žiemą, bet lietuvių kariuomenė (apie 7000 žmonių) pralaimėjo. Veikiausiai tuomet Živinbudas žuvo, nes vėliau lietuvių puolimų sumažėjo visuose frontuose. XVI a. Lietuvos metraščių Platesniajame sąvade ir daugumoje nuorašų Živinbudas nepagrįstai painiojamas su legendiniu Deltuvos kunigaikščiu Giriumi.

Manoma, kad Živinbudas galėjęs būti svarbiu Mindaugo konkurentu dėl šalies valdovo sosto.[4]

Šaltiniai

Baranauskas, Tomas. „Živinbudas“. Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija. Nuoroda tikrinta 18 July 2021.

Kiaupa, Zigmantas; Jūratė Kiaupienė; Albinas Kuncevičius (2000) [1995]. The History of Lithuania Before 1795 (English ed.). Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History. pp. 50–51. ISBN 9986-810-13-2.

Rowell, C. S. (1994). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-Central Europe, 1295-1345. Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series. Cambridge University Press. xxxiii. ISBN 978-0-521-45011-9.

Živinbutas. Tarybų Lietuvos enciklopedija, T. 4 (Simno-Žvorūnė). – Vilnius: Vyriausioji enciklopedijų redakcija, 1988. // psl. 683

Kūno sunūs Gimbutas paveldėjo Žemaičius, o jo brolis Kernius, iš to paties Kūno gimęs, - Lietuvą. Juodu susidėję draugėn ir sudavė didelį smūgį toms Rusios šalims, kurios vadinosi Braslavo ir Polocko žemėmis.

Egzistuoja hipotezė, esą Traidenio senelis galėjo būti Mindaugo tėvo kartos kunigaikštis Živibundas, pirmasis pagal amžių ir valdžios autoritetą pasirašęs kartu su Mindaugu ir kitais trimis vyresniaisiais lietuvių kunigaikščiais 1219 m. sutartį su Voluinės ir Haličo suvienytojo Romano Didžiojo našle ir dviem jos sūnumis – devyniolikmečiu Danilu bei septyniolikmečiu Vasilku. Vadinasi, Traidenio šeima ar giminė buvo pakankamai galinga ir savarankiška (antroji, anot S. C. Rovelo, „Živibundo dinastija“ greta Mindaugo šeimos).

Tačiau vargu ar visi keturi Živibundo sūnūs buvo tėvo paskirti valdyti kokias nors nukariautas Rusios žemes, kur jie, laikantis mūsų istoriografijos tradicinės versijos, „privalėję“ apsikrikštyti pagal vietines graikų apeigas, kad „pritaptų“ prie savo nukariautų valdinių.