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Vaidila

1301 – 1381

Lithuanian noble, brother-in-law of Jogaila

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About Vaidila

Lived 1301 – 1381 (aged 79–80). Vaidila was a Lithuanian.

Vaidila (Woidiło, Voydiło, Woydylo; executed in 1381) was a favorite and brother-in-law of Jogaila, Grand Duke of Lithuania. The Lithuanian Chronicles present Vaidila as a kitchen assistant who rose to the top and entered the nobility only through his marriage to Jogaila's sister Maria in 1379. However, this portrayal is likely biased propaganda. It was a known practice to denounce political opponents as a common peasant.

The Lithuanian Chronicle blames him and Uliana of Tver, Jogaila's mother, for initiating the Treaty of Dovydiškės, which caused the Lithuanian Civil War (1381–1384). After Vaidila's death Maria was married off to David of Gorodets.

If Vaidila was indeed a low-born peasant, he would be the most striking example of social mobility within Lithuanian classes. He was the only Lithuanian duke known to marry a daughter of a Gediminid ruler. This marriage might be an indication that Jogaila needed domestic alliances to keep his throne after his father Algirdas died in 1377 and his elder brother Andrei of Polotsk challenged the last will.

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Important facts

Born
1301
Birth century
Died
1381
Positions held
Starosta of Lida

People in Vaidila's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Vaidila's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Vaidila?

Lithuanian noble, brother-in-law of Jogaila

When was Vaidila born?

Vaidila was born in 1301.

When did Vaidila die?

Vaidila died in 1381.

What nationality was Vaidila?

Vaidila was Lithuanian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Vaidila

· Wikidata: Q2090817

· DBpedia: Vaidila

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Vaidila. https://biography.guide/vaidila/

MLA: "Vaidila." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/vaidila/.

Chicago: "Vaidila." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/vaidila/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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