Congress of Lutsk

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Congress of Lutsk
MakevichusVytautLutsk.jpg
DateJanuary 1429
Location Lutsk, Grand Duchy of Lithuania

The Congress of Lutsk was a diplomatic gathering held in Lubart's Castle in Lutsk, Grand Duchy of Lithuania over a 13-week period beginning on January 6, 1429. The main topic of discussion was the coronation of Vytautas as the King of Lithuania. Other topics included: the siege of Moldavia, a potential coalition against the Ottoman Empire, the desire for improved relations between Denmark and the Hanseatic League, religious unions and divisions, as well as various economic, trade, and tax-related issues.

Contents

Participants and delegates

The congress was hosted by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: Vytautas, other Lithuanian – Ruthenian aristocrats as well as local religious leaders

Foreign delegates attending the congress included:

Feasting and political intrigue

Guests celebrated, feasted, and hunted until diplomatic negotiations began. Seven hundred barrels of honey, wine, 700 oxen, 1,400 sheep, hundreds of elk, wild boar, and other dishes were consumed daily. Guests also competed in jousting during negotiation breaks.

Working for Vytautas, the Jester Henne spied on Sigismund of Luxemburg under the pretense of entertaining the delegates. The diplomatic meeting is thought to have taken place in the Palace of Lubart's Castle, although it is speculated that it may have taken place instead in the Palace of Vytautas, located near the Dominican Monastery.

Political proceedings

The main aim of the council, a defense strategy to protect Europe from the Ottoman Turks, was not achieved because the Congress was dominated by another event. King Sigismund encouraged the crowning of Vytautas as the King of Lithuania. He was interested in dividing Lithuania and Poland, with a separate kingdom of Lithuania, to reduce the influence of Poland.

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References