Valdovo išdavystės kaip nusikaltimo sampratos ištakos Lietuvoje

The article analyses the circumstances that has made way for the emergence of a definition of high treason in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The research indicated, that the terms set out by the Grand Duke of Lithuania defining high treason did not emerge in local resources until the beginning of the 15th century. This leads to the presumption, that the high treason definition did not exist in the society of pagan Lithuania. Of course consuetudinary norms did exist in pagan Lithuania. For example, insulting the Grand Duke was defined as the first part of the crime of high treason. It goes without saying, because the definition of high treason is a political crime par excellence aimed directly at the monarch (government) and its authority. The research also showed the potential emergence scenario of such a crime in Lithuania. Initially Vytautas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, was accused internationally of committing high treason against the Teutonic order. Only after this occurred did Vytautas start to use the concept of high treason towards a monarch as a political weapon in international relations. The first known traitor was Vytautas’ comrade-in-arms, brother of order and komtur of Brandenburg, Markvard Zalcbach.