The 400th anniversary of the death of Stanisław Żółkiewski, Hetman and Great Crown Chancellor, Senator of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Abstract

In the period of Nobles’ Democracy, the art of war of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth attained the highest level, making a real phenomenon in the then Europe. It owed its development, among others, to outstanding Hetmans of the Crown and Lithuania, victors in many battles, leaders surrounded by fame and admiration, genuine patriots. In the hall of fame of Grand Hetmans, Field Hetmans and Lithuanian Hetmans, a most prominent place is taken by Stanisław Żółkiewski (1747-1620). On 13 June 2019, Members of Parliament passed an occasional resolution dedicating the year 2020 to Stanisław Żółkiewski. The resolution reads, among others, “Stanisław Żółkiewski always put the good of Poland above his own benefits, stood faithfully on the side of successive kings, also in internal conflicts, despite the critical opinion of Sigismund III’s politics. He advocated religious tolerance and easing conflicts. […] The Seym of the Republic of Poland, upon acknowledging the great contributions of Stanisław Żółkiewski, creator of the victory of Klushino and a conqueror of Moscow, tenacious defender of the Mother Country for which he sacrificed his life, establishes the year 2020, which marks the occasion of the 400th anniversary of his death, the Year of Hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski.”

Keywords

• hetman
• chancellor
• senator
• seym
• polish-lithuanian commonwealth