King Mindaugas was a powerful and intelligent duke who became the ruler of the united lands of Lithuania around 1250. At that time, pagan Baltic lands were often attacked by the knights of the Teutonic Order which wanted to baptize Lithuania. However, Mindaugas was a good politician and understood that it would be difficult for the pagan religion to live near Christian countries. Therefore, he baptized himself and Lithuania to avoid enemy attacks. Although Mindaugas was a pagan at heart, after his baptism he was called the bright king.
In 1260 After the victory of Durbe's battle with the Crusaders, Samogitia offered Mindaugas to become the ruler of their land as well, and Mindaugas accepted this offer and returned to the Paganism. Until the 14th century, the Gods of nature were worshipped in the lands of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy, and the Teutonic Order organized increasingly violent attacks.
Mindaugas' marriage to Queen Morta was accompanied by murders, political intrigues and unconditional devotion. The future king killed Morta's first husband Vismantas and his brothers Gedvilas and Sprudeikis. Morta failed to change Mindaugas's opinion on cooperation with the Christians, and her warnings about future betrayal did not work. The first queen of Lithuania died in the second half of the 13th century, before the tragic continuation of the conflict.
Shortly after Morta's death, Mindaugas married her sister, Duke Daumantas' wife. Although it is said that Mindaugas wanted to have a wife like Morta, Martha herself asked her husband to marry her sister.
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