The Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century

The article analyses the statehood model of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century. The evaluation of various parameters and the state’s dynamics have led to the identification of several models for describing the Grand Duchy’s statehood. Initially, the state’s centre, Lituania propria, was active in creating a political culture distinguishable by the form of its succession rules, military domination, territorial control, etc., on the basis of which, the Grand Duchy can be called a ‘barbarian state’. But the state’s heterogenic nature does not allow the application of a pure barbarian state model. The debate in historiography over whether Lithuania was a federation or confederation is inaccurate, while the debate over whether it had achieved an imperial level based on its parameters would appear to require further refinement. Keeping in mind that the centre and periphery were ruled on the basis of different principles, which created different cultural environments, different economic ties, and different legal systems even while the centre was closely connected to the periphery through a dynastic factor, it is possible to state that Lithuania functioned as a ‘multiple kingdom’.