Князья Олельковичи – претенденты на власть в Великом княжестве Литовском

ENThe dynasty of Olelkovichs led their origin from the grand duke Olgerd, and it was considered the second after the Jagiellons ducal family in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This is what gave them the right to state a claim for a higher power in this country. Indeed, some members of the Olelkovichs genus several times acted as candidates for the throne in the 15th century. However, despite considerable support in the country, they did not achieve their aim. The various aspects of justifi cation by the Olelkovichs their special position in the state are considered in this article: dynastic politics, striving to take the fi rst place among the Orthodox believers in so-called Lithuanian Rus, the construction and other activities in Kiev, which was their residence for a long time.