Lithuania

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a Baltic state ruled from Vilnius. In 1337 Grand Duke Gediminas faced repeated attacks by the Teutonic Knights while inviting merchants and friars to settle.

Under the Union of Krewo in 1385, Jogaila accepted union with Poland; he married its queen and converted in 1386. Vytautas helped defeat the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald in 1410. The Union of Lublin in 1569 created a commonwealth with Poland, while Lithuania kept its own laws, army and treasury. The final partition in 1795 ended the commonwealth.