Lithuanian nobility
The Lithuanian nobility was historically a legally privileged class in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania consisting of Lithuanians, from the historical regions of Lithuania Proper and Samogitia, and, following Lithuania's eastern expansion, many Ruthenian noble families (boyars). Families were primarily granted privileges for their military service to the Grand Duchy. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had one of the largest percentages of nobility in Europe, close to 10% of the population, in some regions, like Samogitia, it was closer to 12%.
In the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Prior to the creation of the Lithuanian state by Mindaugas, lesser members of the nobility were called bajorai (singular - bajoras) and greater nobles, kunigai (singular - kunigas), from the Old German: kunig, meaning "king", or Lithuanian: kunigaikštis, usually translated as duke, Latin: dux. These positions evolved from tribal leaders, and were chiefly responsible for waging wars and organizing raids operations into enemy territories. Following the establishment of a unified state, they gradually became subordinates to greater Dukes, and later to the King of Lithuania. After Mindaugas' death, all Lithuanian rulers held the title Grand Duke (Lithuanian: Didysis kunigaikštis), or king (rex which was used in Gediminas' title).
Podcasts:
Badger
by: PawI took you down to the station
And I bought your ticket
Lord, I hate to see you go
And as you walk away
Please don't turn around, 'cause
I know you'd hate to see me cry
But I put you on that bus
And as it pulls away
You know I'd really rather be...
Oh, anywhere but here
Nowhere else but here
Anywhere but here
I wish I could take you there, now
Sit around the hotel room
We're playing cards for nickels
It should always be this way
But I'm just a man
And you're a bit too crazy
And being together's always hard
So I put you on that bus
But as it pulls away
You know I'd really rather be...
Oh, anywhere but here
Nowhere else but here
Anywhere but here
I wish I could take you there, now
'Cause I sure as hell don't wanna be here
Oh, now that you're gone
Oh, now that you're gone
Oh, now that you're gone
So now you're gone
And it's my fault
And now that you're gone
I just had this thought
That I can hardly wait to see you
I can hardly wait to be...
Oh, anywhere but here
But I'm just a man
And you're a bit too crazy
And being together is always hard
Lord knows I'd rather be...
Oh, anywhere but here
Nowhere else but here
Anywhere but here
I wish I could take you there, now
'Cause I sure as hell don't wanna be here
Oh, now that you're gone
Oh, now that you're gone
Oh, now that you're gone
I can hardly wait to see you