Battle of Byczyna
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Byczyna or Battle of Pitschen was the deciding battle of the 1587–1588 War of the Polish Succession, which erupted after two rival candidates were elected to the Polish throne. The battle saw the victory of the "Polish" faction led by the Swedish-born king-elect Sigismund III Vasa
over the army of his rival to the throne, Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria.
Taking place near the Silesian town of Pitschen (modern Byczyna
), then just a few kilometres outside the territory of Poland-Lithuania, on January 24, 1588, the battle ended in an overwhelming victory for Sigismund's supporters under the command of Chancellor
and Hetman
Jan Zamoyski
; the army of the "Austrian" faction was largely annihilated, the archduke was captured and his cause came to an abrupt end. He subsequently renounced his claim to the throne.
Exact location of the battle is still under debate by historians. Many suspect it took place near the village of Roszkowice
, around Hill 218, known to locals as the "hill of death".
, the Swedish
king Sigismund III Vasa
and Habsburg Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria took part in the election to the joint Polish–Lithuanian throne. Each of the two candidates had supporters in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
with the two opposing sides gathered around pro-Sigismund Chancellor
and Hetman
Jan Zamoyski
and the Primate of Poland, Stanisław Karnkowski on one side and the pro-Maximilain Zborowski family
on the other. Bad blood between Zamoyski and the Zborowski family dated years past; tensions during the elections run high.
Sigismund, supported by Zamoyski and the former king's wife, Anna Jagiellon
, was elected King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on 19 August 1587 and recognized as such by the interrex
, the Primate Karnkowski. However, the election was disputed by the other candidate, Maximilian III of Austria and opponents of Sigismund chose not to respect the election outcome, decreeing that Maximilian was the rightful monarch three days later, on 22 August. Zborowscy called for the rokosz
(legitimate right to rebel), and the election ended in chaos, with several killed and many wounded. For both Zamoyski and Zborowski, losing was not an option, as they knew the losing side would likely pay a severe price, from confiscations and prestige loss to a possible death sentence for treason.
Neither Sigismund nor Maximilian were present in the Commonwealth at that time. After receiving news of his election, both Sigismund and Maximilan made haste for Poland. Sigismund arrived at Danzig (Gdańsk) on the 28 September and after approximately two weeks he had departed to Kraków
, where he arrived in 9 December and was crowned on 27 December.
Maximilian attempted to resolve the dispute by bringing a military force to Poland – thereby starting the War of the Polish Succession
. After a failed attempt to storm Kraków
in late 1587, successfully defended by Zamoyski, he retreated to gather more reinforcements, but was pursued by the forces loyal to Sigismund.
The exact position of the Polish Army is unknown, but part of the Polish right flank, moving quietly in the dense mist, encircled Maximilian's left flank. After the mist began to clear, the archduke realized his force was being flanked, and his retreat to Byczyna was threatened. He ordered an attack, but a miscommunication of his orders confused part of his army and the Hungarian regiment begun to retreat. The Polish left wing, under command of future hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski, dispersed the opposing units. The battle saw more infantry action than many other battles of the Commonwealth, but even so, the Polish cavalry
(Polish winged hussars) played a major part. The bloody battle quickly turned into a general retreat and the archduke's army suffered heavy casualties. Maximilian took refuge in Byczyna, but the Poles took control of his artillery and turned the guns on the town. Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner.
Exact casualties are unknown, but the archduke's army suffered heavier losses. Soldiers of both sides were buried in mass graves and contemporary reports spoke of "many thousands" buried. Żółkiewski received a knee wound which lamed him for life.
had to pledge not to make any alliances against Poland with the Muscovy or Sweden
. The town of Lubowla
, taken early in the conflict by Maximilian, was returned to Poland. Upon his return to Vienna
he failed to honor his pledge and renounce his claim to the Polish crown (he would do so only in 1598). Nonetheless, there would be no serious military tensions between the Commonwealth and the Hapsburgs, as each would quickly became concerned with other issues.
Sigismund III Vasa
Sigismund III Vasa was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a monarch of the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1587 to 1632, and King of Sweden from 1592 until he was deposed in 1599...
over the army of his rival to the throne, Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria.
Taking place near the Silesian town of Pitschen (modern Byczyna
Byczyna
Byczyna is a town in Kluczbork County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 3,708 inhabitants .The town of Byczyna was first mention in 1054 when it temporarily served as the capital of the Bishopric of Wrocław...
), then just a few kilometres outside the territory of Poland-Lithuania, on January 24, 1588, the battle ended in an overwhelming victory for Sigismund's supporters under the command of Chancellor
Kanclerz
Kanclerz was one of the highest officials in the historic Poland. This office functioned from the early Polish kingdom of the 12th century until the end of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. A respective office also existed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since the 16th...
and Hetman
Hetman
Hetman was the title of the second-highest military commander in 15th- to 18th-century Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which together, from 1569 to 1795, comprised the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, or Rzeczpospolita....
Jan Zamoyski
Jan Zamoyski
Jan Zamoyski , was a Polish-Lithuanian nobleman, magnate, 1st duke/ordynat of Zamość. Royal Secretary since 1566, Lesser Kanclerz ) of the Crown since 1576, Lord Grand-Chancellor of the Crown since 1578, and Grand Hetman of the Crown since 1581...
; the army of the "Austrian" faction was largely annihilated, the archduke was captured and his cause came to an abrupt end. He subsequently renounced his claim to the throne.
Exact location of the battle is still under debate by historians. Many suspect it took place near the village of Roszkowice
Roszkowice, Kluczbork County
Roszkowice is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Byczyna, within Kluczbork County, Opole Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. It lies approximately east of Byczyna, north of Kluczbork, and north-east of the regional capital Opole....
, around Hill 218, known to locals as the "hill of death".
Background
In 1576, following the death of previous Polish king, Stefan BatoryStefan Batory
Stephen Báthory was a Hungarian noble Prince of Transylvania , then King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania . He was a member of the Somlyó branch of the noble Hungarian Báthory family...
, the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
king Sigismund III Vasa
Sigismund III Vasa
Sigismund III Vasa was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a monarch of the united Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1587 to 1632, and King of Sweden from 1592 until he was deposed in 1599...
and Habsburg Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria took part in the election to the joint Polish–Lithuanian throne. Each of the two candidates had supporters in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
with the two opposing sides gathered around pro-Sigismund Chancellor
Kanclerz
Kanclerz was one of the highest officials in the historic Poland. This office functioned from the early Polish kingdom of the 12th century until the end of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. A respective office also existed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since the 16th...
and Hetman
Hetman
Hetman was the title of the second-highest military commander in 15th- to 18th-century Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which together, from 1569 to 1795, comprised the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, or Rzeczpospolita....
Jan Zamoyski
Jan Zamoyski
Jan Zamoyski , was a Polish-Lithuanian nobleman, magnate, 1st duke/ordynat of Zamość. Royal Secretary since 1566, Lesser Kanclerz ) of the Crown since 1576, Lord Grand-Chancellor of the Crown since 1578, and Grand Hetman of the Crown since 1581...
and the Primate of Poland, Stanisław Karnkowski on one side and the pro-Maximilain Zborowski family
Zborowski family
Zborowski family of the Jastrzębiec coat of arms was a Polish noble family most powerful in the 16th century. First known member of the family was Marcin Zborowski , castellan and voivode. The main line died out with his grandson, Aleksander Zborowski, in 1621.In family's history, the most notable...
on the other. Bad blood between Zamoyski and the Zborowski family dated years past; tensions during the elections run high.
Sigismund, supported by Zamoyski and the former king's wife, Anna Jagiellon
Anna Jagiellon
Anna Jagiellon was queen of Poland from 1575 to 1586. She was the daughter of Poland's King Sigismund I the Old, and the wife of Stephen Báthory. She was elected, along with her then fiance, Báthory, as co-ruler in the second election of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
, was elected King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on 19 August 1587 and recognized as such by the interrex
Interrex (Poland)
The institution of interrex existed in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, whose ruling classes liked to view their Republic or Commonwealth as an heir to Roman republican traditions...
, the Primate Karnkowski. However, the election was disputed by the other candidate, Maximilian III of Austria and opponents of Sigismund chose not to respect the election outcome, decreeing that Maximilian was the rightful monarch three days later, on 22 August. Zborowscy called for the rokosz
Rokosz
A rokosz originally was a gathering of all the Polish szlachta , not merely of deputies, for a sejm. The term was introduced to the Polish language from Hungary, where analogous gatherings took place at a field called Rákos....
(legitimate right to rebel), and the election ended in chaos, with several killed and many wounded. For both Zamoyski and Zborowski, losing was not an option, as they knew the losing side would likely pay a severe price, from confiscations and prestige loss to a possible death sentence for treason.
Neither Sigismund nor Maximilian were present in the Commonwealth at that time. After receiving news of his election, both Sigismund and Maximilan made haste for Poland. Sigismund arrived at Danzig (Gdańsk) on the 28 September and after approximately two weeks he had departed to Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, where he arrived in 9 December and was crowned on 27 December.
Maximilian attempted to resolve the dispute by bringing a military force to Poland – thereby starting the War of the Polish Succession
War of the Polish Succession (1587-1588)
The War of the Polish Succession or the Hapsburg-Polish War took place from 1587 to 1588 over the election of monarch after the death of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Stephen Báthory. The war was fought between factions of Sigismund III Vasa and Maximilian III, with Sigismund...
. After a failed attempt to storm Kraków
Siege of Kraków (1587)
The Siege of Kraków in 1587 took place between 14 October and 29 November of that year, after the contested election of 1587. The election resulted in a double selection of candidates - Zygmunt Waza was elected by the nobility on the 19th of August, while another faction of the gentry chose...
in late 1587, successfully defended by Zamoyski, he retreated to gather more reinforcements, but was pursued by the forces loyal to Sigismund.
The battle
Archduke's army on the night of 24 January took positions east of Byczyna on the royal road leading into Poland. They felt secure in their camp, on the Hapsburg's side of the border, and did not expect the Poles to cross it. Each side had a comparable force, estimated at about 6,000, but the Polish side had a significantly higher cavalry supplement. Maximilian's army had only about 600 cavalry, Polish supporters under the command of the infamous "devil of Łańcut" Stanisław Stadnicki.The exact position of the Polish Army is unknown, but part of the Polish right flank, moving quietly in the dense mist, encircled Maximilian's left flank. After the mist began to clear, the archduke realized his force was being flanked, and his retreat to Byczyna was threatened. He ordered an attack, but a miscommunication of his orders confused part of his army and the Hungarian regiment begun to retreat. The Polish left wing, under command of future hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski, dispersed the opposing units. The battle saw more infantry action than many other battles of the Commonwealth, but even so, the Polish cavalry
Polish cavalry
The Polish cavalry can trace its origins back to the days of Medieval mounted knights. Poland had always been a country of flatlands and fields and mounted forces operate well in this environment...
(Polish winged hussars) played a major part. The bloody battle quickly turned into a general retreat and the archduke's army suffered heavy casualties. Maximilian took refuge in Byczyna, but the Poles took control of his artillery and turned the guns on the town. Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner.
Exact casualties are unknown, but the archduke's army suffered heavier losses. Soldiers of both sides were buried in mass graves and contemporary reports spoke of "many thousands" buried. Żółkiewski received a knee wound which lamed him for life.
Aftermath
After the intervention of a papal envoy, Maximilian was released, but only after spending thirteen months as a "guest" of Zamoyski. In the Treaty of Bytom and Będzin (signed on 9 March 1589) Maximilian had to renounce the Polish crown, and Rudolf II, Holy Roman EmperorRudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor
Rudolf II was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Hungary and Croatia , King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria...
had to pledge not to make any alliances against Poland with the Muscovy or Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. The town of Lubowla
Stará Lubovna
Stará Ľubovňa is a town with approximately 16,000 inhabitants in northeastern Slovakia. The town consists of the districts Podsadek and Stará Ľubovňa.-Geography:...
, taken early in the conflict by Maximilian, was returned to Poland. Upon his return to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
he failed to honor his pledge and renounce his claim to the Polish crown (he would do so only in 1598). Nonetheless, there would be no serious military tensions between the Commonwealth and the Hapsburgs, as each would quickly became concerned with other issues.