Symon-Dedigaudas Voivode of Kiev and podolsk

Dedigaudas (Symon Dedygoldowicz, Simon Deidygolt, Dedygold, Dedygaudas, Didigozd Gedygołdowicz - often in sources is confused with his father Gedigaudas, Gedygold) - Lithuanian nobleman, Military Commander under Vytautas the Great in 1401, Governor of Kiev until 1411, the Elder of Podolsk from 1415.

Symon-Dedigaudas, son of Gedigaudas, was a mighty politician of Lithuania. Here are some Dedigaudas life facts in chronological order:

• 1410 signed Act of the Union of Vilnius
• 1411 mentioned as Voivode of Kiyv
• 1421 mentioned as Starost (namiestnik) of Podolsk
• died circa 1442.

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His father was Gedigaudas, a Lithuanian Nobleman with the Swan coat of arms. Dedigaudas was born circa 1380 in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He had a brother, Daugirdas-Jonas.

Like his father, during his adult life, Dedigaudas pursued military and political careers—first holding the position of Military Commander under Vytautas the Great in 1401, then Governor of Kiev until 1411, later the Elder of Podolsk from 1415.

Most likely in the Summer of 1410, Dedigaudas, alongside his father Gedigaudas and bother Daugirdas, participated in the Battle of Grunwald.

During the Union of Horodlo in 1413, Gedigaudas and his son Dedigaudas registered with Polish Nobility and accepted Christianity by baptism. Gedigaudas was given the Christian name Jezhy (Juri, or Jurgis - in Lithuanian), and his son Dedigaudas was baptized as Simon (Semen, Szymon, Symon - Polish or Simonas - in Lithuanian). Both father and son remained with the old family coat of arms - the Swan (Łabędź - in Polish, Gulbė - in Lithuanian).

In 1429, Symon-Dedigaudas participated in an event involving the Holy Roman Emperor and his court, spending five days in Lutsk, present-day Ukraine. During this visit, the Emperor received a valuable gift: a richly adorned auroch horn used as a drinking vessel. This horn belonged to Gediminas, a Grand Duke of Lithuania.

The event likely refers to a historical meeting or diplomatic gathering, showcasing the exchange of gifts and the hospitality extended to the Emperor and his entourage. Such events were common in medieval Europe, where rulers would host each other to strengthen alliances and demonstrate their wealth and power.

In 1430, Vytautas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, sent Symon-Dedigaudas to Rome on a diplomatic mission. Symon-Dedigaudas was among several envoys who traveled to Rome as part of this mission. Such missions were often undertaken to strengthen political alliances, seek support from the Pope, or address various diplomatic matters.

The diplomatic mission to Rome in 1430, involving Symon-Dedigaudas (Symon Dedygoldowicz - in the record), had several significant outcomes:

• Strengthening Alliances: The mission aimed to solidify the political alliance between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Papacy. This was crucial for maintaining support against external threats, particularly from the Teutonic Order.
• Recognition of Vytautas: One key goal was to seek the Pope’s recognition of Vytautas the Great as King of Lithuania. Although Vytautas was never officially crowned, the mission helped reinforce his position and prestige in Europe.
• Religious and Political Support: The mission also sought to gain broader support for Lithuania’s political and religious interests, including promoting Christianity in the region.

Dedigaudas died circa 1442 in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. His descendants appear in sources with the surname Dedygoldowicze, but they didn't hold positions of political importance.

Excerpt from the source:
Dzieje Narodu Litewskiego Xięga Jedenasta.
ROZDZIAŁ I. POCZĄTEK WIEKU PIĘTNASTEGO.
1469. R. 1400. Rzeczy Żmójdzkie., by Teodor Narbutt.1837, page 514

... Ze strony Wielkiego Xiążęcia, pojechali do Rzymu, Symon Dedygoldowicz (should be Simon Dedygold or Dedigaudas) i Szedybor, brat Kiezgajłły. Jeszcze Cesarz ze swoim dworem, dni pięć przebawił w Łucku; w końcu wszyscy hojnie uraczeni i udarowani, rozjechali się. Przy tej okazyi, Cesarzowi dostał się w podarunku róg turzy, kosztownie oprawny na puhar do picia, jeden z tych, które Gedymin zdobył po zabiciu tura, przed założeniem Wilna. Zresztą, zjazd ten, trwający w ogóle do siedmiu tygodni, prócz goryczy, niesmaków, a nawet skrócenia wieku, przez nadwerężenie niemi zdrowia i kosztów niezmiernych, nic więcej nie przyniosł dla Wielkiego Xiążęcia...

Dedigaudas - (Dedygaudas Gedigaudaitis, šaltiniuose dažnai painiojamas su tėvu jo Gedigaudu) - Lietuvos bajoras, Vytauto kariuomenės maršalka (1401), Kijevo vaivada iki 1411 m., Podolsko seniūnas 1415 m., Vilniaus vaivada nuo 1425 (ar anksčiau) iki 1432 m.

Šaltiniuose minimas su šiais vardais: Dedygaudas, Дедиголд, Дидигозд, Didigozd.

Ištrauka išversta iš lenkų kalbos:

Jo [Jono] brolis Dedigaudas Gedigaudaitis, galingas Lietuvos ponas, siekęs, švijęs Žygimantą, su savo tautos parama ir savo lėšomis iškelti į valdovus Lietuvos kunigaikštystėje Švitrigailą; tačiau pats pateko į nelaisvę. Šių dviejų (Jono ir Dedigaudo) namų palikuoniai, nadojosi herbu Gulbė. Tiesa, Daugirdų yra ir dabar Lietuvos Kunigaikštystėje.

Dedygold – (Didigozd Gedygoldowicz, w źródłach często mylony z ojcem Gedygoltem czy Gedigoldem) – szlachcic Litewski, marszałek wojsk Witolda (1401), namiestnik Kijowski do 1411, starosta Podolski w 1415, namiestnik Wileński od 1425 (lub wcześniej) do 1432.

W źródłach wymieniany pod imienami: Dedygaudas / Дедиголд / Дидигозд / Didigozd

Potężni wielce w Litwie, Ktory swym ludem i kosztem Swidrygiella na W. Księstwo Litewskie chcial wprowadzic, wypędziwszy Zygmunta Kiejstutowicza. W bitwie pod Oszmianą pojmany.

Brat jego [Jana] Didigozd Gedygoldowicz potęzny Pan w Litwie który swym ludem i kosztem, Swidrygiella na księztwie Litewskiem chcial osadzic, wypędziwszy Zygmunta; ale i on się w niewolą dostal. Domy które od tych dwóch idą, mają się Labędziem pieczętowac. Są wprawdzie Dowgirdowie i teraz w księztwie Litewskiem.

Дедиголд или Дидигозд Гедиголдович (его потомки Дедиголдовичи, Дидигозды), часто в источниках путают с его отцом Гедигольдом (Кдиголд, Ґедиґольд, Гедиго́вт).