1. Stefan Czarniecki was a Polish nobleman, general and military commander.
22 Facts About Stefan Czarniecki
1. 2.
Stefan Czarniecki is remembered as an accomplished military commander, and regarded as a Polish national hero.
3.
Stefan Czarniecki's father, Krzysztof Czarniecki, was a soldier who participated in several wars in the late 16th and early 17th century, and eventually became a courtier to Polish queen Constance of Austria.
4.
However, Stefan Czarniecki had ten siblings, and divided into that many parts, the family resources would be stretched rather thinly.
5.
Stefan Czarniecki fought later against Gustavus Adolphus.
6.
In 1627 Stefan Czarniecki, serving in his brother's choragiew, was promoted to chorazy.
7.
Stefan Czarniecki led a cavalry charge at Kumejki which was instrumental in the Polish victory there.
8.
Stefan Czarniecki took an active part in the battles against the Cossacks in the Khmelnytsky Uprising.
9.
Stefan Czarniecki was part of the fighting at the battle of Berestechko and battle of Bila Tserkva in 1651.
10.
Later that year Stefan Czarniecki received territories from the king, along with the office of Crown obozny.
11.
When Charles X of Sweden invaded Poland in 1655, Stefan Czarniecki distinguished himself by his defence of Krakow, which he eventually surrendered on good terms, retreating with his army.
12.
Stefan Czarniecki remained loyal to the Polish king, even when much of the army, including most of the senators and the hetmans, temporarily joined the Swedes.
13.
Stefan Czarniecki led guerrilla warfare against Swedish troops of Charles X, a type of a campaign he authored, despite the objections of the hetmans, who by that time returned to serve under John Casmimir Vasa.
14.
Stefan Czarniecki's defeats were limited, and in most cases he was able to retreat with most of his army in good order.
15.
Stefan Czarniecki led an army against the Russians, but the Siege of Hlukhiv was not successful, and a new Cossack uprising of Ivan Sirko forced the Polish troops to fall back.
16.
Stefan Czarniecki received a state funeral in Warsaw, and has been interred in the tomb chapel of the church founded by him in Czarnca.
17.
Stefan Czarniecki is remembered as one of the most able Polish commanders of all times.
18.
Stefan Czarniecki is seen as instrumental in defeating the Swedes during the Deluge, although he was even more successful in his battles against the Russians.
19.
Stefan Czarniecki's career, rising from a simple noble family to the rank of a hetman and a wealthy magnate, was unprecedented in the Commonwealth's history.
20.
Jak Stefan Czarniecki do Poznania Po szwedzkim zaborze, Dla ojczyzny ratowania Wrocim sie przez morze.
21.
Stefan Czarniecki's legend had begun growing even during his lifetime, as he became a hero of poems and songs.
22.
Stefan Czarniecki appears in the poem Przedswit of Zygmunt Krasinski, but much more significant was his portrayal in The Trilogy of Henryk Sienkiewicz, particularly the second book, The Deluge.