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Important Information to Know-

  • First and Foremost, This will be edited. I have a tendency to only notice errors or grammatical mistakes after posting. Additionally, I may change the TL itself if something comes to attention that is incorrect.
  • This is a TL is centered on failed negotiations with the Polish Nobles for Jogaila to take the throne of Poland, leading to Jogaila accepting the offer brought to him by his mother, marriage to Sophia, daughter of Dmitry Donskoy, as well as conversion to Orthodoxy.
  • Comments are Always Welcome! Also, I will try to make maps myself, but if anyone wants to do some feel free.
  • Alright, that's all. Lets get started!
Chapter I: The Treaty of Smolensk
Part I- It was 1384, and Jogaila had to make a choice. He could follow the conditions of the Treaty of Dubsya1 (1382), however, this risked falling under the influence of the Teutonic Order, and perhaps eventually owing allegiance to the hated enemy of his entire country. With the treaty never having been ratified, despite various attempts by the Order, Jogaila still had some options. However, the Teutonic Order had resumed there war against Lithuania the previous year, putting Jogaila was in a bad position to refuse. However, a proposal was brought to Jogaila by his mother, Uliana of Tver. Propose by her was Jogaila marrying Sophia, daughter of Dmitry Donskoy, Grand Prince of Moscow. Despite being a appealing offer, it had one major pitfall. Conversion to Orthodoxy was no better in the eyes of the Catholic Teutonic Order, and would do seemingly nothing to stop the war with the Teutonic Order.
Over in the Kingdom of Poland, there was a succession crisis. With a brief civil war, Jadwiga was crowned King2 of Poland. However, being a women, it was expected that she would be married and her husband would rule. She was betrothed to William of Austria, however, the Polish Nobles, looking out for there own interests, did not want William on the throne. Looking for other options, the some of the Polish Nobles went to Jogaila of Lithuania. In mid 1385, Jogaila sent a official delegation to Poland. Negotiations went extremely poorly, to say the least. While modern accounts of it differ, it is clear that Jogaila's delegation committed a major Faux Pas while in Poland, and negotiations fell apart with neither side being particularly friendly with the other to begin with.
Faced with no other option, Jogaila sent his delegation to Moscow in order to begin negotiations. One thing Jogaila made sure was clear to Moscow, he would need assistance against the Teutonic Order if any agreement was to be reached. Meanwhile, the Succession Crisis in Poland still loomed...
1- The Treaty of Dubsya, an agreement between Lithuania and Teutonic Order during wartime, was an agreement for the conversion of Lithuania to Catholicism within a period of four years, as well as peace.
2- Despite being a women, Jadwiga was crowned King of Poland in order to help solidify her claim to the throne.
Thanks for Reading, Comments Always Welcome! :D
- And So the Rise of Moskva-Litva begins...
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