XIV a. Medininkų žemės – Žemaitijos centro gynyba Laukuvos ir Kaltinėnų priedanga
The Region of Medininkai – the Defence Centre of Žemaitija (Samogitia) in the 14th Century

Summary/Abstract: The article describes the region of Medininkai as the defence centre of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 14th century. The attacks of the Teutonic Order on Medininkai region, Lithuania’s advanced post in the West, in the years 1314, 1399 and 1400, did not undermine its defence power. During these attacks, the southwestern part of this land – Laukuva region – had been devastated many times since 1314, and the southern part – the regions of Kaltinėnai – since 1370. The Order suffered heavy defeats in 1320, 1370, 1375, 1389, and 1397. Despite heavy devastation of these regions, the attacks did not undermine the country’s defence. The enemy was counter-attacked, and the withholding of a powerful enemy in these regions played a very important role in Lithuania’s general situation. The author pointed out that a very important part in Lithuania’s defence system was played by the castles: Medvėgalis (it was last mentioned in the Meco chronicle, Lotharingia, as a strong castle situated in a sacred grove), Laukuva, Kaltinėnai and others, situated along the now extinct river Akmena.

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