vytautas (c. 1350 – october 27, 1430), also known as vytautas the great (lithuanian: "", , "witold aleksander" or "witold wielki" ruthenian: "vitovt", latin: "alexander vitoldus", old german: "wythaws or wythawt") from the 15th century onwards, was a ruler of the grand duchy of lithuania, which chiefly encompassed the lithuanians and ruthenians. he was also the prince of hrodna (1370–1382), prince of lutsk (1387–1389), and the postulated king of the hussites.