Jan III Sobieski
From Poland of To-Day and Yesterday by Nevin O. Winter, 1913.
From: 1674 C.E. To: 1696 C.E.
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
From Poland of To-Day and Yesterday by Nevin O. Winter, 1913.
After the death of Michael Korybut, one of the most turbulent Diets in Polish history met at Warsaw in April, 1674, to elect a successor. There were several candidates for the position, among them being Charles of Lorain, Philip of Neuburg, and the Prince of Conde. The first named was Austria's choice, the second France's protege, and the third was the favourite of a large element of the Poles themselves. France and Austria were always rivals in the effort to influence the election of Poland's kings.
While the Diet was in its most turbulent condition, one of the nobles was heard above all the other confusion to say: “No more foreigners. Let a Pole rule over Poland. Among us is a man who, having saved the state ten times by his counsels and his victories, is regarded by all the world, as well as by ourselves, as the greatest, the first of the sons of Poland.” Then at the close of this speech, advocating the choice of one of their own number, he shouted: “Take for your king John Sobieski."
Sobieski was not without his enemies, and these made themselves heard. It was late in the evening, and many wanted to make a choice that night, as they had become tired of the sittings. Sobieski himself made a speech advising delay until the morning, but it was this speech that won him his election, and he was at once chosen king, with the title of John III, on the 19th of May, 1674.
John Sobieski had already made a reputation for himself as a soldier in leading Polish troops against Poland's enemies, and in particular the Turks. The victory of Chocim, over the Turks, on the day following Michael’s death, had placed him before the people in the light of a popular hero.
During the latter part of Michael's reign he had practically wielded the sceptre. He was descended from illustrious ancestors. Both his father and grandfather had distinguished themselves in Polish history, the former being castellan of Cracow. He had studied the art of war in France, whither he had been sent in his youth. There he joined in all the frivolity of that age. But he soon afterwards threw aside dissipation, and developed into the greatest warrior of his age.
In person this king is described by a contemporary writer, quoted by Mr. Morfill, as “a tall and corpulent prince, large-faced, and full eyed, and goes always in the same dress with his subjects, with his hair cut round about his ears like a monk, and wears a fur cap, but extraordinary rich with diamonds and jewels, large whiskers (moustaches) and no neck-cloth... He carries always a large scimitar by his side, the sheath equally flat and broad from the handle to the bottom, and curiously set with diamonds.”
Some enthusiasts acclaim Sobieski's election as a popular uprising on the part of the people, while others charge him with continual and deliberate scheming for the election. I am inclined to the latter view as the more natural one, but that does not discredit him or his patriotism. He was far superior to most of his predecessors. War with the Turks began so soon after Sobieski 's election that the coronation ceremonies had to be delayed while he took the field against the enemy. He fought the Turks with a vengeance, as though each one was a personal enemy to be destroyed.
It was ten years after his election that Sobieski 's greatest military triumph came, and one which is noted in the world's annals. This was the rescue of Vienna from the Turks. The Moslem general, Kara Mustapha, with a force of three hundred thousand men, had marched in from Belgrade, burning and plundering all before him wherever resistance was offered, and was now besieging Austria's capital. He had been joined by the Hungarians, who were in revolt against Leopold of Austria, and his journey through Hungary had been practically unopposed. The besiegers had thrown themselves around that city in a crescent formation. The march of the Turks had been like an Oriental invasion, for in addition to men and horses they had herds of camels and buffaloes. Sobieski himself writes of the luxury of the Turkish camp. “It is impossible to describe,'' says he in a letter to his wife, “the refinement of luxury which the Vizier had collected in his tents. There were baths, little gardens with fountains, even a parrot, which our soldiers pursued but could not capture.”
The Austrian emperor, Leopold, fled in terror from his capital of Vienna, followed by the principal nobility. An urgent call came to Sobieski to lead his Polish troops to the defence of Christendom. A little matter of etiquette and personal pride nearly defeated this coalition. Sobieski declined to lend aid unless Leopold addressed him as "His Majesty,” and Leopold refused for some time.
At last the Austrian emperor reluctantly yielded, and Sobieski at once sent a message that he would start for Vienna just as soon as his troops could be ready. Leopold had become very humble, for he writes: “It is not, therefore, your troops, sire, that we expect, but your majesty's own presence; being fully persuaded that if your royal presence will vouch-safe to appear at the head of our forces, though less numerous than those of the enemy, your name alone, which is so justly dreaded by them, will make the defeat certain.” He had now been king for several years, and during the last five years he had not taken any active part in warfare, as peace had reigned in Poland. It was only an external peace, however, for never before had the assemblies of the nobles been so rebellious; never before had such anarchistic conditions existed in the political life.
The force within the walls of Vienna was comparatively small—only about twenty thousand armed men—and the hardships were increasing daily because of the large number of non-combatants who had to be fed. There were mines and counter-mines; ferocious assaults of the enemy were met by the determined resistance of the defenders. Courage and intrepidity were everywhere exhibited.
By the time Sobieski approached Vienna his army was swelled to some seventy thousand men, made up of Poles and Germans. The city was almost in its last gasp. A serious fire, and disease due to poor food, had added to the horrors of the continual bombardment. The heroism of a Pole, named Kolszicki, who acted as a spy, is noted in Vienna. Conversant with the Turkish language and customs, he successfully passed through the encircling lines and reached the Austrian army, but not without many exciting adventures. His return trip was equally successful, and he brought back a definite promise of succor. As a reward Kolszicki was given permission to establish the first coffee-house in Vienna. This is the reason—so it is said—that Vienna rolls came to be made in the shape of the crescent.
On the 12th day of September, 1683 (Sunday), after mass had been heard, Sobieski appeared at the head of his troops with his head shaven after the Polish fashion, and started the assault. He at once saw the weak points of the enemy's position. “This man,” says he, “is badly encamped; he knows nothing of war; we shall certainly beat him.”
The Turkish army had begun to become demoralized by the length of the siege, disease and superstition. The assault was made simultaneously on the centre and wings of the enemy. Sobieski kept himself in the thickest of the battle, crying: “Not to us, not to us, Lord, but to thy name be the glory.”
The Turks, although greatly outnumbering their assailants, were overpowered by the fiery onslaught of the Poles. Several of the pashas were slain, and the Vizier himself fled with the remnant of his army. “I told you,” one of the generals is reported to have told the Grand Vizier, after he had recognized Sobieski, “that if we had to deal with him (Sobieski), all we could do would be to run away.”
This unfortunate officer was compelled to submit to death for this defeat. But he did so stoically. When he beheld the messengers of the sultan approach, he yielded to the bow-string and his head was sent to the sultan. The skull may now be seen in the Arsenal Museum of Vienna.
''...the Imperial City stands released From bondage threatened by the embattled East, And Christendom respires; from guilt and shame Redeemed, from miserable fear set free By one day's feat, one mighty victory. —Chant the Deliverer's praise in every tongue!"
The booty yielded by this victory was immense, and Sobieski 's share alone is said to have yielded several million ducats. Everything was abandoned by the frenzied Turks in their mad flight. Rich tents, superb equipages, and jewelled weapons were among the trophies. The people in the besieged city went wild over the Polish hero; people fell on their faces before his horse, and even kissed his boots. In a letter he says: “I have been in two churches, where the people kissed my hands, feet, and clothes; others, who could only touch me at a distance, cried out, ‘Ah! let me kiss your victorious hands.” Te Deum was celebrated in St. Stephen's Cathedral. The preacher used for his text: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.'' The people had already suffered much from hunger and the plague.
Excellent accounts of this battle are given in the letters written by Sobieski to his wife, which are still preserved. He addresses her as “Only joy of my soul, charming and much-loved Marietta.'' He took one of the finely enamelled stirrups of the Vizier and gave it to an orderly, saying: "Take this stirrup to the queen, and tell her that the person to whom it belonged is defeated."
Europe went wild with praises of the Polish king—that is, all except France, and Louis XIV could see good in nothing that saved the integrity of Austria. In the following year Sobieski won another victory over the Turks, and took possession of Moldavia. With his Turkish captives he built the fine mansion near Warsaw known as Willanow.
Winter, Nevin Otto. Poland of To-Day and Yesterday. L. C. Page and Company, 1913.
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