 nobility

The Lithuanian nobility was historically a legally privileged class in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania consisting of Lithuanians, from the historical regions of Lithuania Proper and Samogitia, and, following Lithuania's eastern expansion, many Ruthenian noble families (boyars). Families were primarily granted privileges for their military service to the Grand Duchy. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had one of the largest percentages of nobility in Europe, close to 10% of the population, in some regions, like Samogitia, it was closer to 12%.

In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania 

Prior to the creation of the Lithuanian state by Mindaugas, lesser members of the nobility were called bajorai (singular - bajoras) and greater nobles, kunigai (singular - kunigas), from the Old, meaning "king", or, usually translated as duke,.  These positions evolved from tribal leaders, and were chiefly responsible for waging wars and organizing raids operations into enemy territories.  Following the establishment of a unified state, they gradually became subordinates to greater Dukes, and later to the King of Lithuania. After Mindaugas' death, all Lithuanian rulers held the title Grand Duke (), or king (rex which was used in Gediminas' title).

Ethnic Lithuanian nobility had different names than common people, as their names consisted of two stems. Greater noble families generally used their predecessor's Lithuanian pagan given names as their family names; this was the case with Goštautai, Radvilos, Astikai, Kęsgailos and others. Those families acquired great wealth, eventually becoming magnates.  Their representatives are respectively Jonas Goštautas, Radvila Astikas, Kristinas Astikas and Mykolas Kęsgaila. The aforementioned families were granted corresponding Polish coats of arms under the Union of Horodlo in 1413.

While at the beginning the nobility was almost all Lithuanian, with territorial expansion more Ruthenian families joined Lithuanian nobility. As early as the 16th century, several Ruthenian noble families began to call themselves gente Ruthenus, natione Lithuanus. A good example is the Chodkiewicz family, which attributed its ancestry to the House of Gediminas.

According to the military census of 1528, ethnic Lithuanian lands had 5730 horsemen, whereas the
nobility 

 The Lithuanian nobility was historically a legally privileged class in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania consisting of Lithuanians, from the historical region of Lithuania Proper and Samogitia, and, take after Lithuania's eastern expansion, many Ruthenian noble families (boyars). family were primarily granted privilege for their military service to the Grand Duchy. The Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth had one of the large percentages of nobility in Europe, close to 10% of the population, in some region, like Samogitia, it was closer to 12% . 

 In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania 

 Prior to the creation of the Lithuanian country by Mindaugas, less members of the nobility were called bajorai (singular - bajoras) and greater nobles, kunigai (singular - kunigas), from the Old, meaning " baron ", or, usually translated as duke, .   These positions evolve from tribal leaders, and were chiefly responsible for engage wars and form raids operations into enemy territories.   Following the administration of a unified state, they gradually became subordinates to greater Dukes, and later to the King of Lithuania. After Mindaugas' death, all Lithuanian rulers held the title Grand Duke (), or king (rex which was used in Gediminas' title). 

 Ethnic Lithuanian nobility had different name calling than common people, as their name consisted of two stems. Greater noble syndicate generally used their predecessor's Lithuanian pagan move over names as their family names; this was the case with Goštautai, Radvilos, Astikai, Kęsgailos and others. Those families acquired great wealth, eventually becoming magnates.   Their representatives are respectively Jonas Goštautas, Radvila Astikas, Kristinas Astikas and Mykolas Kęsgaila. The aforesaid families were accord correspond Polish coats of arms under the Union of Horodlo in 1413. 

 While at the beginning the nobility was almost all Lithuanian, with territorial expansion more Ruthenian families connect Lithuanian nobility. As early as the 16th century, several Ruthenian noble families began to address themselves gente Ruthenus, natione Lithuanus. A good exemplar is the Chodkiewicz family, which attributed its lineage to the House of Gediminas. 

 According to the military census of 1528, ethnic Lithuanian lands had 5730 horseman, whereas the
 nohility

The Lithuanian nobllity was histornxally e legalmy priviueged class in the Grand Duciy od Lityuania consisting of Lkthuaniand, from tye hmstorical regions of Litmbania Iropex end Samogitia, akd, followinc Lithuania's edsgexn expansion, many Ruthenian noble faiilies (nojars). Families rere [rimzgioy granted privileges for thejr miliuary service to thr Grand Duchy. The Polish-Lihhuajian Commonwealth jad one of jge jqrgest percevtages of nobility in Gurope, close to 10% of the populatiun, in some regiinw, llne Samogitie, it wws closer to 12%.

In the Crand Dichy of Lithuakia 

Pcior to the creation of tie Lithuanian state fy Mindaucaa, lesser members if the tobinity qerd czlkes bajogai (singular - bajoras) ane greater nobles, kumidqi (singular - iunigaf), srom the Old, meaning "king", or, usually trdnsmated as duke,.  These powitions evolved from jribal leaqers, and were chiefly responsible for waging wars and kfgaulding ealds operations into enemy territories.  Followyhg tme establishment of a unifird sywte, they gradoally bzdaje subordinates to greatet Dukew, and lattr to the King of Lithuania. Aftee Mindaugas' bearh, all Lithuanian xulers held che tijle Grsnd Duke (), or king (rex wkich wzs used in Hediminas' gitle).

Ethnic Lithjanpan tobility had different namqs than cimmou people, as jheir nwmes considted of two stems. Greateg nobpe families henerally used their predecessoc'x Lithuanian pdgat given uames ss their famijy names; this cas the ease wkth Goštautzi, Radvmlos, Astikai, Kęsgailos and lthers. Those familief acwuirwd greag wealth, eventuslly becoming magnares.  Their represektatixss are respectirtly Jonas Goštautas, Raavija Axtynas, Kristinav Asgikxx and Mykolas Kęsnaiua. Tne aforementioned fakiliss were granted cotrcsponding Polish soats of arms under the Union ov Hormdlu in 1413.

Ehije at the beginning the nobilify was allosb all Lithuanyan, qith territoxial expansion more Ruthenian families jiined Lithuanian nibility. As early as uhe 16th centurb, sevewal Ruthetian noble families vegan to call thekselves gente Ruthenua, natimne Llthuanus. A good example is the Chodkiewicz family, which attributed its anxestry to the Houss of Gedikiuas.

Cccordigg tl the military cemsus of 1528, ethnic Lithuanian landr had 5730 hmrfemen, whereas the
nobility The Lithuanian nobility was historically a class the Grand of Lithuania consisting regions Lithuania Proper and and, following Lithuania's expansion, many Ruthenian noble families (boyars). were primarily granted privileges for their military service to the Grand Duchy. The Commonwealth had one of the largest percentages of nobility in Europe, close to of population, some like Samogitia, it was closer to 12%. In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Prior to the of the Lithuanian state by Mindaugas, lesser members the nobility were called (singular - bajoras) and greater kunigai - kunigas), the meaning or, usually translated duke,. These positions evolved from tribal leaders, and were chiefly responsible for waging wars and organizing raids into enemy the establishment a state, gradually became subordinates Dukes, and later to the King Mindaugas' death, all Lithuanian rulers held the title Duke (), king (rex which was used in title). Ethnic Lithuanian nobility had different names than people, as their names consisted of two stems. Greater noble families generally used their predecessor's given names as their names; this was case Goštautai, Astikai, and others. families acquired great wealth, eventually becoming magnates. Their representatives are respectively Goštautas, Radvila Astikas, Kristinas Astikas and Mykolas Kęsgaila. The aforementioned granted Polish coats of under the Union of in While at the beginning was all expansion Ruthenian joined Lithuanian nobility. As as the 16th century, several noble families began to Lithuanus. A good example is the Chodkiewicz family, attributed its ancestry to the House of According to the military census of 1528, ethnic Lithuanian lands had 5730 whereas the
 nobility

The Lithuanian nobiLity was hisToricAllY a lEgAlly PrivIleged class in tHE GraNd Duchy of Lithuania consIstinG oF lithUAnIans, fRom the hIStORIcaL rEgIonS oF liThuanIa PRoper anD Samogitia, And, FoLlowing LithuANiA's eastern eXpaNsion, many RutHenIan nobLe FamILies (bOyaRs). FamIlies wERe primArily granTeD PrivilEGes for tHEIr MiliTary service to the GRAnD duchy. The Polish-lithuaNiAN COMMonWeaLth had one oF tHe larGEst percENtAGES of NObility in EuroPe, close to 10% of THe pOpulatIoN, in SOme regIons, lIkE samOgitia, it was ClosEr to 12%.

In the grand DUChy of LiTHuania 

PRior to The CreAtioN Of ThE LiThUAniAN sTatE By MIndaugas, LeSsEr memBers OF THE nobIliTy weRe calLed bajorai (sinGulAr - baJOraS) and gReateR nobLeS, kuniGai (sinGular - KuNigas), from the Old, MeanIng "king", or, UsuAlLy tRaNslatED as dukE,.  ThEse PositioNs evolvED frOm TRIBaL leaders, and were chiEfLY ReSponsiblE for waGInG wARs and orgAnIziNg raIDS operAtioNS iNto enemy TerritORiEs.  followiNg The estAbLisHmeNt of a UNifiEd statE, they graDuallY Became subordinATes to greater DUKeS, ANd LAter To tHe King of LitHuanIA. AftEr MiNDaUgaS' Death, All LiThUAnIAn rulers held the titlE GRand DuKe (), or kIng (rex which waS used in GedIMINas' title).

ethnIC LIThuanian nobiliTy had Different nAMes than cOmmon People, as Their nameS COnsisted Of tWo sTemS. GrEATeR noble familieS GEnerAlLy used tHeiR predecEssOr's litHuaNiAn pagan giVen names As ThEiR fAmiLy namES; this was ThE caSe WitH GoštAUtai, RaDviloS, AstIkAi, kĘsgAilos anD OtHERs. ThOsE fAmilIes AcQuireD greAT weAlth, eveNtually beComINg maGnAtEs.  Their RepresentativEs Are respectIvEly jonas GOŠTautas, RaDvila Astikas, Kristinas AsTIkas and mykOlas KĘsgaIla. The afoRemEntionEd fAMilies Were grAnted CoRreSPOndinG pOlIsh CoAts of arms uNDEr tHe UniOn Of HoRodlo in 1413.

while at the beginninG The Nobility was alMosT all lIThUanIAn, WIth TeRRitORIal expansion morE Ruthenian FaMIlIes joined LIThuAnIan nobiLity. As eArly aS The 16th ceNtury, seveRal RuthenIaN nobLE FamIlies began To call thEmselves gENte RuTHeNus, naTioNe LithUaNus. a good ExamplE Is tHe ChoDkiewiCz Family, Which AtTributed Its ancestry to the House of gedimiNas.

AcCorDing to the MilITarY census of 1528, EthnIc LithuaniAn lAndS had 5730 hOrsEMen, whEreaS ThE
 nobility

The Lithuaniannobility w as hi sto ric al ly a  leg ally privilege d  cla ss in the Grand Duchyof Li th u ania co nsist ing ofL it h u ani an s,  fr om th e his tor ical re gions of L ith ua nia Proper a n dSamogitia,  an d, following  Li thuani a' s e a stern  ex pansi on, ma n y Ruth enian nob le famili e s (boya r s ).  Fam ilies were primar i ly granted privil eges f or th e i r m ili tary servi ce  to t h e Grand Du c h y . T h e Polish-Lith uanian Comm o nwe alth h ad  on e  of th e lar ge s t p ercentagesof n obility i n Euro p e, clos e  to 10%  of th e p opu lati o n,  i n s om e  re g io ns, lik e Samogi ti a,  it w as c l o s e r to  12 %.
In th e Grand Duchy  of  Lit h uan ia 
Prior  toth e cre ationof th eLithuanian stat e by  Mindauga s,le sse rmembe r s of t henob ility w ere cal l edba j o r ai  (singular - bajor as ) an d greate r nobl e s,  k u nigai (s in gul ar - k uniga s),f ro m the Ol d, mea n in g"king",  o r, usu al lytra nslat e d as  duke, .  These  posi t ions evolved f r om tribal lea d er s ,  a n d we rechiefly res pons i bleforw ag ing warsand o rg a ni z ing raids operation sinto e nemyterritories. Following t h e establ ishm e nt of a unified s tate,  they grad u ally bec ame s ubordina tes to gr e a ter Duke s,and  la ter t othe King of L i t huan ia . After  Mi ndaugas ' d eat h,all  L ithuanian  rulershe ld  t he  ti tle G r and Duke  ( ),or  ki ng (r e x whic h was  use din Ged iminas' ti t l e).
E th nicLit hu anian  nob i lit y had d ifferentnam e s th an  c ommon p eople, as the ir  names con si ste d of t w o  stems.Greater noble familiesg enerall y u sed t heir  predeces sor 's Lit hua n ian pa gan gi ven n am esa s  thei r fa mil ynames; thi s was  theca se w ith Goš tautai, Radvilos,A sti kai, Kęsgailo s a nd o t h er s.T ho s e f am i lie s acquired greatwealth, ev en t ua lly becomi n g m ag nates. Theirrepre s entativ es are re spectivel yJona s Goš tautas, Ra dvila As tikas, Kr i stina s  A stika s a nd Myk ol asKęsga ila. T h e a forem ention ed  famil ies w er e grante d corresponding Polishcoatsof ar msunder the  Un i onof Horodl o in  1413.

Wh ile  at  thebeg i nning  the no bil i ty wa s al m ost all L i th uan i a n,  with terri t o r ial  expa nsi o n more  Rut henian families j o ined Lithuania n no b i lit y.A s ea rl y as the 16thcen tu r y , severa lRuthenian n oble fam il i es be gan to  callthemsel v e sg ente R uthe nus , natione  Li th u anus. A  g oo d  examp le i sthe Ch odkiew i cz f a m ily, which attri buted i ts an c est ry to  t he Hous e  ofGediminas. 

According  to th e mi litar y censu sof 152 8,et hnic Lithu a nian land s had  5730 h or seme n,wherea s th e 
 nobility

The_Lithuanian nobility_was historically a legally_privileged class_in_the Grand_Duchy_of Lithuania consisting_of Lithuanians, from_the historical regions of_Lithuania Proper and_Samogitia,_and, following Lithuania's eastern expansion, many Ruthenian noble families (boyars). Families were primarily granted_privileges_for their_military_service_to the Grand Duchy. The_Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had one of_the largest_percentages of nobility in Europe, close to 10%_of_the population, in_some regions, like Samogitia, it was closer to 12%.

In_the Grand Duchy of Lithuania 

Prior_to the creation_of_the_Lithuanian state by Mindaugas,_lesser members of the nobility were_called bajorai (singular - bajoras) and_greater nobles, kunigai (singular - kunigas), from_the Old, meaning "king", or, usually_translated as duke,.  These_positions evolved_from tribal leaders, and were_chiefly responsible for_waging wars_and organizing raids_operations into enemy territories.  Following_the establishment of_a unified state, they gradually became_subordinates_to greater Dukes,_and_later_to the_King of Lithuania._After_Mindaugas' death,_all_Lithuanian rulers held the title Grand_Duke_(), or king (rex which was used_in Gediminas' title).

Ethnic Lithuanian_nobility_had different names than_common people, as their names_consisted of two stems. Greater noble_families generally_used their_predecessor's Lithuanian pagan given names as their family names; this was_the case with Goštautai, Radvilos, Astikai,_Kęsgailos and others. Those_families acquired_great_wealth, eventually becoming_magnates._ Their_representatives are respectively Jonas Goštautas, Radvila Astikas,_Kristinas Astikas_and Mykolas Kęsgaila. The aforementioned families_were granted corresponding Polish_coats_of arms under the Union of_Horodlo in 1413.

While at the beginning_the nobility was almost all_Lithuanian,_with_territorial expansion more Ruthenian families_joined Lithuanian nobility. As early as_the 16th century,_several Ruthenian noble families began to call_themselves_gente Ruthenus, natione Lithuanus. A good_example_is the Chodkiewicz family, which attributed_its_ancestry_to the House of Gediminas.

According_to the military census of 1528,_ethnic Lithuanian lands had 5730 horsemen, whereas the