About 1420 the land ruled by Vitold stretched from the Baltic to the Euxine, and from the Western Būg to the Oká River, while his influence went far beyond those limits. Vassili, Grand Prince of Moscow, when dying, committed his young son and heir to Vitold’s protection, and after Vassili’s death the princes of Tver and Ryazan were at least morally dependent on Vitold. Pskoff and Novgorod felt his hand over them, and purchased peace with money. The Crimea Mongols, and those near the Black Sea showed fear and respect before this strong, crafty ruler.
But do what he might, he was controlled by Poland. His alliance with Yagello made him and his cousin the first powers in Europe, but no matter what Vitold accomplished, the whole profit of his action went surely to Poland.
Yagello was not weighty as a ruler. The master mind of the Polish Commonwealth of that day was Olesnitski, Archbishop of Cracow, and Chancellor. In 1410 this man had been in the king’s suite at Tannenberg, and had saved the life of Yagello, whom the Germans came very near killing. From Tannenberg began Olesnitski’s great influence. A man of high gifts, he was unbending in all that gave profit to his religion and his country. Vitold was baffled in everything which was not in favor of Polish interests as Olesnitski understood them.
Vitold, like his predecessors, accustomed to govern as he wished in his own state, could not avoid looking with disquiet at the growing power of Poland in Lithuania and Russia, and the continual decrease of the royal authority in Poland. The nobility and clergy were absorbing all the power in the country; the king was becoming a cipher. This was owing in part to the weakness of Yagello, who gave away the immense lands and wealth at his disposal without [[419]]any return from them. In the union the Poles saw their one opportunity. They looked on Russia and Lithuania as fields in which to win vast wealth and influence. At this point Vitold strove earnestly to stop the advance of Poland, by becoming himself independent. The best means to this end, as he thought, was to make Lithuania and Russia a kingdom.
So in 1429 he arranged a meeting of sovereigns at Lutsk. King Yagello was there, with a great suite, and numerous prelates. Vassili of Moscow, son and heir of the Grand Prince, was present, as were the Ryazan and Tver princes. Among other rulers were the Khan of the Crimea, the Teutonic Grand Master, the papal legate, and an ambassador from Byzantium. The Emperor Sigismund forced the whole company to wait sixteen days for him. Fifteen thousand people were invited; they filled Lutsk, and all places near that city.
The leading questions were opened by Sigismund, and related to Moldavia; the Hussite wars; the union of the Eastern and Western Churches; a crusade against the Turks by all Christians. The great question, however, was the crown of Lithuania and Russia for Vitold. Yagello made no opposition, but would not act unless aided by the magnates of Poland. When the question was raised for discussion, Olesnitski made a fiery speech in opposition. The magnates were roused to the utmost, and, stopping every Polish discussion, they left Lutsk in a body. Yagello left also, without taking leave, even of Vitold. Sigismund followed soon after, agreeing, however, with Vitold on a new meeting at which the crown would be given him most surely. The other guests withdrew now, but all were invited to Vitold’s coronation in Vilna.
The Lutsk meeting lasted seven weeks, and caused an immense outlay of money. Every day one hundred barrels of mead were drunk, besides Muscat, Malvasia and wines of various other sorts. One hundred beeves, as many sheep and wild boars, nine wild bulls, and fourteen elks were consumed daily, besides all kinds of game known in those regions.
Opposition only roused Vitold, and he determined to conquer by removing every obstacle. He set about winning Polish partisans; but he could not influence Olesnitski, or bend him in any way. The Pope, Martin V, who took the side of the Poles, would not [[420]]consent to the crowning, and advised them to abandon the project. Yagello offered to abdicate in favor of Vitold, but the latter refused to be caught in that manner. Olesnitski would not listen to the statement that the kingly dignity of Vitold would not affect the desired union of the countries. Vitold’s main support was Sigismund, who wished above all things to weaken Poland. He was supported also by the Northern Russian nobles, who strenuously opposed union with the Poles. The existence of this Orthodox party, schismatic, according to Catholic understanding, induced the Pope to take the Polish side firmly.
In September, 1430, the assembly met at Vilna. It was nearly the same as at Lutsk, with about the same numbers, and of equal brilliancy. Yagello, Olesnitski, and the Polish magnates were present. Those Poles who had been won over by Vitold did not oppose him, but Olesnitski was as unbending as ever. Nevertheless all preparations were made for the crowning. The assembly was only waiting for the embassy from Sigismund, which was bringing the crown and the regalia. But the embassy came not. Sigismund had sent a confidant with letters to Vilna and the ceremonial of the crowning. This man was captured on the high-road to Vilna, by the Poles, who seized all his papers and cut the crown in two. They placed armed guards at every point, and stopped Sigismund’s embassy. Unable to advance, the embassy halted at Brandenbury, and waited for orders. The Vilna assembly, after long waiting, dissolved by degrees, and departed.
Grievous disappointment destroyed Vitold’s health; a carbuncle appeared between his shoulders. Leaving Vilna for Troki, he grew faint on the way, and dropped to the ground from his saddle. He died two weeks later, October 27, 1430, in his eighty-first year.