Margiris

Margiris or Margis (died 25 February 1336) was a medieval Lithuanian/Samogitian prince, mentioned by Caspar Schütz, via Wigand of Marburg, as the heroic defender of Pilėnai fortress in 1336.

In primary written sources his name is mentioned only twice, in 1329 as Margalis by chronicler Jean d'Outremeuse in Ly myreur des histors[2] and as Marger in 1336 by Caspar Schütz in Historia Rerum Prussicarum.

This incident is briefly mentioned in several contemporary chronicles, including those by Francis of Prague and Peter of Zittau, but described in detail only by Jean d'Outremeuse.

He did so with coins minted by Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, which were most likely stolen during the 1326 Lithuanian raid into Brandenburg.

[6] Margiris and his heroic tale of desperate defense and sacrifice has spread, inspired other works, including the Polish epic poem Margier by Władysław Syrokomla in 1855, and became popular in Lithuania.

Hill of Margiris in Punia , the traditional location for Pilėnai castle
Duke Margiris defending Pilėnai against the Teutonic Order by Władysław Majeranowski [ pl ] (1817–1874)