Mapping the Boundaries of Vyžuonos: 15th-Century Personal Names and the Enduring Legacy of North-Eastern Lithuania

Abstract

The article explores a unique manuscript housed in the Jagiellonian University Library in Krakow, Poland, focusing on a witness interview protocol dated between 1469 and 1477. The protocol highlights two key historical elements relevant to both historical and linguistic research: the Brinkliškės road, which defined part of the Vyžuonos estate boundaries at the time, and the naming of 99 witnesses. The paper delves into the history of protocol archiving, investigates the location and etymology of the Brinkliškės road, and examines the transmission of historical memory. Additionally, the study analyses the witness names to uncover the trends in personal identification and naming practices prevalent in the latter half of the 15th century and the factors influencing these practices.