The winner of Kłuszyn, the conqueror of Moscow, the conqueror of the Germans, Swedes, Moldavians, Tatars and Cossacks. One of the greatest men of the era. He aroused fear and respect among the enemies of the Commonwealth. Chancellor and Grand Hetman of the Crown, one of the most outstanding commanders in the history of the Republic of Poland.
Born in 1547 in Turynka near Lviv.
______________________________________________________________
This is how Stanisław Żółkiewski is described by Dr. Edmund Oppman:
The period of Batory's reign — the times of the greatest flourishing of the power of the Commonwealth and the loud fame of the Polish army — was conducive to the birth of noble and great warriors. The example set by King Stefan with his unbending character, personal selflessness, aspirations directed solely for the good of his adopted homeland - Poland, his moral attitude and outstanding military abilities and the qualities of a born leader of the nation, was a real school of life for future heroes of Poland. The hero of Kłuszyn, Moscow and Cecora, Stanisław Żółkiewski, grew up in this sublime atmosphere of Batory's rule and grew up as a true leader.
The Commonwealth, in constant war with the Tatars, exposed to constant invasions, constantly had to be ready for military actions, constantly with a saber in hand, had to repel invasions on its lands and defend itself against the possessiveness of numerous enemies.
The eastern frontiers of the Polish State, which were constantly under the threat of invasions, felt it especially vividly. These most endangered Polish lands also became the cradle of heroes who, in eternal readiness to fight and numerous battles, won the harp of the spirit and contempt for death, and who from their hard experiences brought a passionate love of the Homeland. The son of these borderlands was Żółkiewski.
Stanisław Żółkiewski was born in 1547 in the village of Turynce near Lviv in a wealthy magnate family. His father, a Ruthenian voivode, a citizen widely respected and active in public life, was also an experienced knight, often fighting fearlessly and selflessly for the glory of his homeland.
So Stanisław brought noble knightly traditions from his family home. From his early youth, he was in direct contact with the dangers and war that constantly haunted his native Ruś. No wonder that the purpose of his later famous heroic life was to protect the borders of the Republic of Poland from foreign invasions. Raised very carefully, after finishing his studies in Lviv, he went abroad, as was customary in magnate families.
(...)
source: Dr. Edmund Oppman, "Polish Leaders - Trails of the Glory of Polish Arms", 1938rd edition, Warsaw XNUMX.
Read more... (click to go to the Polish Digital Equestrian Library)
Entry updated: 14.08.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX
Stanislaw Żółkiewski he died on October 7, 1620 in Berezovka, a few kilometers from the border on the Dniester in Moldova, during the retreat from the battlefield of Cecora. He was buried in the collegiate church of St. Wawrzyniec in Żółkiew.
Publications in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library:
Click on the links below to access related materials in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library (will open in a new tab):
“Hussars, the pride of Polish weapons” excerpts – Radosław Sikora
"Polish Leaders - Stanisław Żółkiewski" (1938) - Edmund Oppman
Gallery:
