The grand duchy of Lithuania, bordering on Poland, was spread over a region of sixty thousand square miles.

The grand duke, Jaghellon, a burly pagan, had married Hedwige, Queen of Poland, promising, as one of the conditions of this marriage which would unite Lithuania and Poland, to embrace Christianity.[3] He was married and baptized at Cracow, receiving the Christian name of Ladislaus.

He then ordered the adoption of Christianity throughout Lithuania, and the universal baptism of his subjects.

In order to facilitate the baptism of over a million at once, the inhabitants were collected at several central points.

They were arranged in vast groups, and were sprinkled with water which had been blessed by the priests.