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Ryngold, Grand Duke of Lithuania, was born circa 1175 to Algimantas and died circa 1236 of unspecified causes.

Ryngold or Rimgaudas was a mythological Grand Duke of Lithuania from the Palemonids legends and father of Mindaugas, the first King of Lithuania (1251–1263).

Ryngold, son of otherwise unknown Algimantas,[1] is first mentioned in the second redaction of the Lithuanian Chronicle written c. 1515 and has no historical basis.[2] In the chronicle Ryngold returned to Navahrudak after a victorious battle with Mongols on the bank of the Neman River at Mohilna near Minsk.[1] This battle could have some historical basis as Mongols did invade Lithuania, but it happened in late 1230s and early 1240s. However, it is known for a fact that at the time Mindaugas already had supreme power in Lithuania.[3]

The legendary account claimed that Ryngold fathered three sons. He left Navharudak to one of his sons, Vaišvilkas.[2] However, it is known from reliable contemporary sources that Vaišvilkas was son of Mindaugas. Therefore the third redaction of the Lithuanian Chronicle, also known as the Bychowiec Chronicle, made Ryngold father of Mindaugas to correct this clear contradiction.[2] This legendary version was popularized by Maciej Stryjkowski and other medieval historians,[2] and it still survives to this day.[4]

In fact there is nothing known about Mindaugas' father from reliable sources. The Livonian Rhymed Chronicle, a contemporary source, just mentions that he was a powerful duke, but does not provide his name.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c (Lithuanian) Ivinskis, Zenonas (1953–1966). "Ringaudas". Lietuvių enciklopedija. 25. Boston, Massachusetts: Lietuvių enciklopedijos leidykla. pp. 308–309. LCCWp globe tiny 55020366. 
  2. ^ a b c d (Lithuanian) Baranauskas, Tomas (July 2001). "Kiek buvo Lietuvos sostinių?". Kernavė 1 (1). Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  3. ^ Simas Sužiedėlis, ed (1970-1978). "Ringaudas". Encyclopedia Lituanica. IV. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 500–501. LCCWp globe tiny 74-114275. 
  4. ^ Rowell, S. C. (1994). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-Central Europe, 1295-1345. Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series. Cambridge University Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 9780521450119. 

See also


Children


Offspring of Ryngold and unknown parent
Name Birth Death Joined with
Živinbudas (c1192-c1235) 1192 1235
Dausprungas (c1195-c1240) 1195 1240
Mindaugas (c1200-1263) 1200 1263 Aglona, Latvia NN
Morta of Šiauliai (c1210-1262)
Agna of Šiauliai (c1242-c1263)


Residences

Footnotes (including sources)


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