The Pact formally established Vytautas and Jagiełło as coregents, strengthening the Polish–Lithuanian union while defining succession terms for Lithuania.
Key Facts
- Year enacted
- 1401
- Signing locations
- Vilnius and Radom
- Amended prior act
- Union of Krewo (1385)
- Confirmed agreement
- Ostrów Agreement (1392)
- Title granted to Vytautas
- Grand Duke of Lithuania
- Jagiełło's superior title
- Supreme Duke
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earlier Union of Krewo (1385) had left ambiguities about Lithuania's status and Vytautas's authority. Following the Ostrów Agreement of 1392, which recognized Vytautas as ruler of Lithuania, a more formal legal framework was needed to define the relationship between the two states and their respective rulers.
Three acts were passed in Vilnius and confirmed by the Crown Council in Radom in 1401. The pact granted Vytautas the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania alongside Władysław II Jagiełło, King of Poland, who held the superior rank of Supreme Duke, making them formal coregents with Jagiełło as the dominant partner.
The pact clarified succession arrangements, stipulating that upon Vytautas's death Lithuania would pass to Jagiełło or his legal heir. This consolidation broadly strengthened the Polish–Lithuanian union and provided a more durable constitutional basis for the relationship between the two states.
Political Outcome
Vytautas recognized as Grand Duke of Lithuania under Jagiełło's overlordship; Polish–Lithuanian union formally reinforced with defined succession terms.
Ambiguous authority under the Union of Krewo; Vytautas governed Lithuania without formal coregent status
Vytautas formally titled Grand Duke; Jagiełło confirmed as overlord; dual but hierarchical coregency established