Battle of Byczyna
51°6′48″N 18°15′45″E / 51.11333°N 18.26250°E
Battle of Byczyna | |||||||
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Part of the War of the Polish Succession (1587-1588) | |||||||
Poddanie się Arcyksięcia Maksymiliana pod Byczyną, Juliusz Kossak | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Poland–Lithuania | Austria | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Jan Zamoyski | Maximilian III (POW) | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
6,000[1] | 6,500[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1,000 killed[2] | 2,000 killed[2] |
The Battle of Byczyna, also known as the Battle of Pitschen (
Taking place near the Silesian town of Pitschen (modern
Background
In 1586, following the death of the previous
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.[4] The election was disputed, however, by Maximilian and opponents of Sigismund chose not to respect the election outcome, decreeing that Maximilian was the rightful monarch three days later on 22 August.[4][5] The Zborowski family called for a rokosz (legitimate right to rebel) and the election ended in chaos, with several killed and many wounded.[2] For both the Zamoyski and Zborowski families, losing was not an option, as they knew the losing side would likely pay a severe price, from confiscations and loss of prestige to a possible death sentence for treason.[2]
Neither Sigismund nor Maximilian were present in the Commonwealth at that time.
Maximilian attempted to resolve the dispute by bringing a military force to Poland, thereby starting the
Opposing forces
Each side had comparable forces:
The battle
On the night of 24 January the Archduke's army took positions east of the small town of Byczyna on the royal road leading into Poland. They felt secure in their camp, on the Habsburg side of the border, and did not expect the Poles to cross.[2] Zamoyski marshaled his forces into three lines and was able to position them at an angle to the opponent's line.[1]
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.
The entire battle lasted approximately one to two hours.[2][8] Maximilian took refuge in Byczyna, but the Poles took control of his artillery and turned the guns on the town.[2] Before the Polish forces began their assault, Maximilian surrendered and was taken prisoner.[2] The battle, therefore, ended up being the decisive victory for the Polish-Swedish faction.[12]
Aftermath
Exact casualties are unknown, but the Archduke's army suffered heavier losses, estimated at about 2,000, whereas the Poles lost about 1,000 men.[2] Żółkiewski captured an enemy standard, but received a knee wound which lamed him for life.[9] After the intervention of a papal envoy, Maximilian was released, but only after spending thirteen months as a "guest" of Zamoyski.[2] In the Treaty of Bytom and Będzin (signed on 9 March 1589), Maximilian pledged to renounce the Polish crown, and Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, pledged not to make any alliances against Poland with Muscovy or Sweden.[2] The town of Lubowla, taken early in the conflict by Maximilian, was returned to Poland.[2] Upon his return to Vienna he failed to honor his pledge and renounce his claim to the Polish crown and would not do so until 1598.[2][5]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-83-11-08275-5. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q (in Polish) Sławomir Leśniewski. Człowiek, który upokorzył Habsburgów: Zamoyski pod Byczyną, Polityka, 26 March 2010
- ^ ISBN 978-0-231-12817-9. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-00-128802-4. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-295-98093-5. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-83-11-08275-5. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-83-229-2610-9. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dariusz Kramarczyk. "Wojsko europejskie a wojsko polskie w XVI wieku". Na polach bitew. Interkl@asa: Polski Portal Edukacyjny. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ a b Henry Krasiński (1846). Mary Barton: an historical tale of Poland. A.K. Newman and Co. pp. 263–264. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-521-24093-2. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-84176-650-8. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ Janusz Wankowicz (1974). Poland: a handbook. Interpress Publishers. p. 44. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
External links
- (in Polish) Bitwa pod Byczyną, Muzeum Historii Polski (includes a map)
- Winged Hussars, Radoslaw Sikora, Bartosz Musialowicz, BUM Magazine, 2016.