First Mention of Lithuanians

Historical Context:

7th century: Latvian language begins to diverge from Lithuanian

1009: The phrase “…in confinio Rusciæ et Lituæ a paganis…” appears in the annals of  Quedlinburg Abbey

1198-1290: Livonian Crusade to convert Baltic and Finnic pagans

1211: Bishop Albert of Riga divides his lands, first mention of “…terra, quae Lettia dicitur…”

1231: Danish Census Book (Liber Census Daniæ) mentions “Littonia” paying tribute to the Danes

1236: Grand Duchy of Lithuania established

1236: Pope declares a Lithuanian Crusade after Livonian Brothers of the Sword lose to pagans

1251-53: Mindaugas baptized and then crowned (first and last) “King of Lithuania”

1263: Mindaugas assassinated, Grand Duchy re-established as pagan for over 120 years

1283: Lithuanian Crusade led by Teutonic Knights begins (does not end until 1422)

1311: Bongars publishes, in 1611, Pietro Vesconte’s first mappa mundi (circular world map)

1321: Sanudo publishes second Vesconte mappa mundi

1325: Dulcert/Dalorte creates his first Portolan (vellum – calfskin – sailing chart)

1375: Cresques Abraham and his son create The Catalan Atlas