 army of the Ruthenian lands of the Grand Duchy consisted of 5372.

Evolution 

In the late 14th century Grand Dukes Jogaila and Skirgaila began forming professional forces. Instead of calling all men to war, a class of professional warriors – bajorai (future nobles) – was formed. In the early 15th century, Vytautas the Great reformed the army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania further: as there were not enough warriors, Vytautas relieved soldiers from taxes and labour on the land by granting them veldamai status, a class of dependent peasants. At first the land was given to the serving men until death (benefice), but during the 14th and 15th centuries most of it became patrimony, granted by grace of the monarch. Whilst throughout the 14th century the Grand Duke possessed ownership of about ⅔ of the Duchy's land, the expanse of his direct ownership decreased to ⅓ by 1569.

In the 15th century, the noble social class was already formed and in full effect throughout Lithuania; for quite a long time social mobility remained open and anyone could become ennobled as a reward for services to the Grand Duke. In time, the influence of lesser nobles decreased while greater nobles acquired increasingly more power, especially during the interregnum fights following Vytautas' death.

Wealthier families were distinct from other nobles due to latifundia in different lands including Lithuanian, Ruthenian and even Polish. In the 15th century, the biggest landowners began to call themselves "lords" (ponai or didikai), and the Lithuanian Council of Lords was established to represent their interests. In time, most of them received titles such as dukes and counts, borrowed from the Holy Roman Empire. Grand Duchy of Lithuania offices were held almost exclusively by magnates.

In the 16th century, Lithuanian nobility stopped calling themselves bajorai; they adopted Polish term szlachta () instead. Landlords called themselves  ziemionys or ziemiane.

Privileges 
Following his distribution of state land, The Grand Duke became dependent on powerful landowners, who began demanding greater liberties and privileges. The nobles were granted administrative and judicial power in their domains and increasing rights in state politics. The legal status of the nobility was based on several
army of the Ruthenian lands of the Grand Duchy consisted of 5372. 

 Evolution 

 In the late fourteenth hundred Grand Dukes Jogaila and Skirgaila begin forming professional force. rather of calling all men to war, a course of professional warriors – bajorai (future nobles) – was formed. In the early fifteenth hundred, Vytautas the Great reformed the army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania far: as there were not enough warriors, Vytautas remedy soldiers from taxes and labour on the land by granting them veldamai condition, a class of dependent peasants. At foremost the land was given to the serving men until death (benefice), but during the fourteenth and 15th hundred most of it became patrimony, granted by seemliness of the monarch. Whilst throughout the 14th century the Grand Duke possessed ownership of about ⅔ of the Duchy's land, the sweep of his direct ownership decreased to ⅓ by 1569. 

 In the 15th century, the noble social class was already formed and in full effect throughout Lithuania; for quite a retentive time social mobility remained candid and anyone could become ennoble as a reward for services to the Grand Duke. In time, the influence of less nobles decreased while greater nobles develop increasingly more power, especially during the interregnum fights following Vytautas' death. 

 Wealthier families were clear-cut from other nobles due to latifundia in different lands include Lithuanian, Ruthenian and even Polish. In the 15th hundred, the boastful landowners began to call themselves " lord " (ponai or didikai), and the Lithuanian Council of Lords was established to represent their interests. In meter, most of them received titles such as dukes and counts, adopt from the Holy Roman Empire. Grand Duchy of Lithuania offices were halt almost exclusively by baron. 

 In the 16th century, Lithuanian nobility stopped calling themselves bajorai; they adopt Polish term szlachta () rather. Landlords called themselves   ziemionys or ziemiane. 

 Privileges 
 Following his distribution of state domain, The Grand Duke became subject on powerful landowners, who began demanding greater autonomy and privileges. The nobles were allow administrative and judicial power in their domains and increasing rights in state politics. The legal condition of the nobility was based on several
 arly of the Ruthenian landr of the Grand Bychy cmnsistsd of 5372.

Evulution 

In the late 14th centucy Geand Eukes Jogaila and Skireaila begwn formibg pcofessional forcxa. Instead of dwlliug all men to wat, a class of professional fafrnors – bajorai (future nobles) – was foried. In yhf early 15th cenjury, Nyeautzs the Great reformed the army of fhe Graid Duchy of Litnuania further: as there wege nlt enough warriors, Vytautas rgmiedwd soldiers wrom taxes and labour kn the land by granting them veudaman status, a xlqss mf dependenv peaswnts. At firsb the ldnd was given to the xerting men until death (benehice), but during the 14jh and 15th weuturies most of it bexane pajrimoty, gfqntdd gy gdace ov tie monarch. Shilst throyghout the 14th centuty nne Grand Duks possqsfed ownership of about ⅔ of the Duchy's ldnd, the expanse of his dirwct ownership decreasgd to ⅓ by 1569.

Yn the 15th century, the noble social class was alreddy fkfmeb and kb vull effect throughout Lithuania; for quite a jknb nime social mobillty remained open snf sgyone could bgcome euhogled as a reward flr servyces ro the Grwnd Cuke. In time, the influence if lesser noylew decreased while yreater noblzs acqoired oncreasingly more power, espscially durlng the ihgerregnum fights foklmwing Vyuxutas' death.

Wealthyer familmes wzre distknct from jther noblfs duc to latifundia in fiffetent ldnds inclufing Lithuanian, Ruthenian and etxn Polish. In jhe 15th century, the niggest landownqrs began to ccll themfelver "lords" (pohai or vidikai), and ehe Lithuaniat Council of Nords waf esrablushed tu represent theor interests. In timw, most of them reccived fitles such as bbkts and counts, botroded fgom tra Holy Roman Empkre. Brand Duchy of Llthjanis offices were held dlmoat exclusively by kannates.

In jhe 16th cegtury, Lithuanoan nobility stopptd calninj themxeldes bajorai; they adopted Polisg term szpacmta () instead. Jandoords called themselves  ziemionys or ziemiane.

Privioeges 
Following hiw distribution of sjatt land, The Grend Duhe became dependent on powerfyl landowners, who began demanding greafer litertifs and privileges. The nobles were granted administrative and judicial powwr in vhqir domains and incrvasnng rightf in rtate politics. Tne legal status of the nobility was basad on several
army of the Ruthenian lands of the consisted 5372. Evolution the late 14th Skirgaila forming professional forces. of calling all to war, a class of professional – bajorai (future nobles) – was formed. In the early 15th century, Vytautas Great reformed the army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania further: as there not warriors, relieved from taxes and labour on the land by granting them veldamai status, a class of dependent At first the land was given to the men until death (benefice), during the 14th and 15th most it became granted grace the monarch. Whilst the 14th century the Grand Duke possessed ownership of about ⅔ of the Duchy's land, the expanse his direct to ⅓ 1569. the century, the noble was already formed and in full for quite a long time social mobility remained and anyone become ennobled as a reward for to the Grand Duke. In time, the influence lesser nobles decreased while greater nobles acquired increasingly more power, especially during the interregnum fights death. Wealthier families were from other nobles to in lands Lithuanian, Ruthenian even Polish. In the 15th century, the biggest landowners began to themselves "lords" (ponai or didikai), and the Lithuanian Council of established represent their interests. time, most of them titles as dukes and counts, the Roman of offices held almost exclusively by In the 16th century, Lithuanian stopped calling themselves bajorai; () instead. Landlords called themselves ziemionys or ziemiane. Following his distribution of state land, The Duke became dependent on powerful landowners, who began demanding greater liberties and The nobles administrative and judicial power in their domains and rights in state politics. legal status of the nobility was based on several
 army of the Ruthenian lands of The Grand DuChy coNsiSteD oF 5372.

EvoLutiOn 

In the late 14th cENturY Grand Dukes Jogaila and SKirgaIlA BegaN FoRming ProfessIOnAL ForCeS. INstEaD Of CalliNg aLl men to War, a class oF prOfEssional warrIOrS – bajorai (fuTurE nobles) – was foRmeD. In the EaRly 15TH centUry, vytauTas the gReat reFormed the ArMY of the gRand DucHY Of lithUania further: as theRE wERe not enough warRiors, VYtAUtAS RelIevEd soldiers FrOm taxES and labOUr ON THe lANd by granting tHem veldamai STatUs, a claSs Of dEPendenT peasAnTS. At First the lanD was Given to thE serviNG men untIL death (bEneficE), buT duRing THe 14Th And 15Th CEntURiEs mOSt oF it becamE pAtRimonY, graNTED By grAce Of thE monaRch. Whilst throUghOut tHE 14th CentuRy the granD DUke poSsesseD owneRsHip of about ⅔ of the duchY's land, the ExpAnSe oF hIs dirECt owneRshIp dEcreaseD to ⅓ by 1569.

In THe 15tH cENTUrY, the noble social claSs WAS aLready foRmed anD In FuLL effect tHrOugHout lIThuanIa; foR QuIte a long Time soCIaL mObility ReMained OpEn aNd aNyone COuld Become Ennobled As a reWArd for services TO the Grand Duke. iN tIME, tHE infLueNce of lesser NoblES decReasED wHilE GreatEr nobLeS AcQUired increasingly moRe Power, eSpeciAlly during the InterregnuM FIGhts follOwinG vyTAutas' death.

WealThier Families weRE distincT from Other nobLes due to lATIfundia iN diFfeRenT laNDS iNcluding LithuANIan, RUtHenian aNd eVen PoliSh. IN thE 15th CenTuRy, the biggEst landoWnErS bEgAn tO call THemselveS "lOrdS" (pOnaI or diDIkai), anD the LIthuAnIaN couNcil of LORdS WAs esTaBlIsheD to RePreseNt thEIr iNterestS. In time, moSt oF Them ReCeIved titLes such as dukeS aNd counts, boRrOweD from tHE holy RomaN Empire. Grand Duchy of LithUAnia offIceS were Held Almost excLusIvely bY maGNates.

IN the 16th CentuRy, litHUAnian NOBiLitY sTopped callING thEmselVeS bajOrai; theY adopted Polish term SZlaChta () instead. LaNdlOrds CALlEd tHEmSElvEs  ZIemIONys or ziemiane.

PrIvileges 
FoLlOWiNg his distrIButIoN of statE land, ThE GranD duke becAme dependEnt on poweRfUl laNDOwnErs, who begaN demandiNg greater LIbertIEs And prIviLeges. THe NobLes weRe granTEd aDminiStratiVe And judIcial PoWer in theIr domains and increasing rIghts iN statE poLitics. The LegAL stAtus of the NobiLity was basEd oN seVeral
 army of the Ruthenian lan ds of theGrand  Du chy  c onsi sted  of 5372.

Evo l utio n 

In the late 14th c entur yG rand Du kes J ogailaa nd S kir ga il a b eg a nformi ngprofess ional forc es.  I nstead of ca l li ng all men  to  war, a clas s o f prof es sio n al wa rri ors –  bajor a i (fut ure noble s) – wasf ormed.I n  t he e arly 15th century ,  V y tautas the Gre at ref or m ed t hearm y of the G ra nd Du c hy of L i th u a n iaf urther: as th ere were no t  en ough w ar rio r s, Vyt autas  r e lie ved soldier s fr om taxesand la b our ont he land  by gr ant ing  the m  v el dam ai sta t us , a cla ss of de pe nd ent p easa n t s .  Atfir st t he la nd was giventothes erv ing m en un tilde ath ( benefi ce),bu t during the 14 th a nd 15th c ent ur ies  m ost o f  it be cam e p atrimon y, gran t edby g r ac e of the monarch.Wh i l st  through out th e  1 4t h  century  t heGran d Dukeposs e ss ed owner ship o f  a bo ut ⅔ of  t he Duc hy 'slan d, th e  exp anse o f his di recto wnership decre a sed to ⅓ by 1 5 69 . 
I n  the  15 th century,  the nobl e so c ia l c l ass w as al re a dy formed and in fullef fect t hroug hout Lithuani a; for qui t e a long t imes oc i al mobility re maine d open and anyone c ouldbecome e nnobled a s a reward  fo r s erv ice s to  the Grand Du k e . In  t ime, th e i nfluenc e o f l ess erno bles decr eased wh il egr ea ter  nobl e s acquir ed  in cr eas ingly more p ower,  esp ec ia l lyduringt he i nter re gn um f igh ts  foll owin g  Vy tautas'  death.
Wea l thie rfa milieswere distinct  f rom otherno ble s duet o  latifun dia in different landsi ncludin g L ithua nian , Rutheni anand ev enP olish.  In th e 15t hcen t u ry, t h e  b igg es t landowne r s  be gan t ocall  themse lves "lords" (pona i  or  didikai), an d t he L i t hu ani a nC oun ci l  of L ords was establ ished to r ep r es ent theiri nte re sts. In  time,mosto f themreceivedtitles su ch  asd u kes  and count s, borro wed fromt he Ho l yRoman  Em pire.Gr and  Duch y of L i thu aniaoffice swere h eld a lm ost excl usively by magnates.

I n the16thcen tury, Lit hua n ian  nobility  sto pped calli ngthe mselv esb ajora i; t h ey  ad o ptedPoli s h term sz l ac hta ( )instead. La n d l ord s cal led themse lves   ziemionys or zi e miane.

Privil eges Fol low i ng h is  distributionofst a t e land,Th e Grand Duk e became  d e pende nt onpowerf ul land o w ne r s, who  beg andemanding  gr ea t er libe rt ie s  and p rivi le ges. T he nob l es w e r e granted admini strat i v e and jud icial  p ower in thei r domainsand increas ing ri ghts  in s tate po li tics.The  l egal statu s  of the n obili ty wasba sedonsevera l
 army_of the_Ruthenian lands of the_Grand Duchy_consisted_of 5372.

Evolution_

In_the late 14th_century Grand Dukes_Jogaila and Skirgaila began_forming professional forces._Instead_of calling all men to war, a class of professional warriors – bajorai (future_nobles)_– was_formed._In_the early 15th century, Vytautas_the Great reformed the army_of the_Grand Duchy of Lithuania further: as there were_not_enough warriors, Vytautas_relieved soldiers from taxes and labour on the land_by granting them veldamai status, a_class of dependent_peasants._At_first the land was_given to the serving men until_death (benefice), but during the 14th_and 15th centuries most of it became_patrimony, granted by grace of the_monarch. Whilst throughout the 14th_century the_Grand Duke possessed ownership of_about ⅔ of_the Duchy's_land, the expanse_of his direct ownership decreased to_⅓ by 1569.

In_the 15th century, the noble social_class_was already formed_and_in_full effect_throughout Lithuania; for_quite_a long_time_social mobility remained open and anyone_could_become ennobled as a reward for services_to the Grand Duke._In_time, the influence of_lesser nobles decreased while greater_nobles acquired increasingly more power, especially_during the_interregnum fights_following Vytautas' death.

Wealthier families were distinct from other nobles due to_latifundia in different lands including Lithuanian,_Ruthenian and even Polish._In the_15th_century, the biggest_landowners_began to_call themselves "lords" (ponai or didikai), and_the Lithuanian_Council of Lords was established to_represent their interests. In_time,_most of them received titles such_as dukes and counts, borrowed from_the Holy Roman Empire. Grand_Duchy_of_Lithuania offices were held almost_exclusively by magnates.

In the 16th century,_Lithuanian nobility stopped_calling themselves bajorai; they adopted Polish term_szlachta_() instead. Landlords called themselves _ziemionys_or ziemiane.

Privileges 
Following his distribution of_state_land,_The Grand Duke became dependent_on powerful landowners, who began demanding_greater liberties and privileges. The nobles were granted administrative_and judicial power_in their domains and increasing_rights_in_state politics. The legal status of the nobility was based_on several