List of Lithuanian monarchs

This is a list of Lithuanian monarchs who ruled Lithuania from its inception until the fall of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1795. The Lithuanian monarch bore the title of Grand Duke, with the exception of Mindaugas, who was crowned king in 1253.^[1][2] Other Lithuanian rulers, such as Vytautas the Great, also attempted to secure a royal coronation, but these efforts were unsuccessful.^[3]

Until 1569, the Lithuanian monarchy was hereditary. In 1386, Grand Duke Jogaila was elected King of Poland. From that point onward, with some interruptions, the two states were united in a personal union, sharing a common ruler until 1569, when they were formally merged by the Union of Lublin to form the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.^[4] The monarch of this new state was elected in a free election by the entire nobility.^[5]

From the Christianization of Lithuania until 1569, the inauguration of the Grand Duke took place in Vilnius Cathedral, where the Bishop of Vilnius placed Gediminas' Cap on the ruler’s head.^[6] After the Union of Lublin, the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania was assumed during the coronation in Kraków.^[5]

In 1918, there was an attempt to establish the Kingdom of Lithuania under German auspices, but the plan ultimately failed.^[3]

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