WDF XTRA: Jan Sobieski Biography VIII

[PATRONS] This is definitely my favourite episode yet! Somebody make this man into a Netflix series please!

"From our army, in these heavy times, many good men perished. Because so manly and valorous a force, as had been this Ottoman army, I know the ages never had foreseen their defeat. But because of our men’s extraordinary resolution in our good cause, especially among the hussar banners, we held on and won. Nevertheless the enemy was defeated in three hours. Their senior leaders almost all perished, three pasha’s bodies have already been found on the side and others were taken. Pavilions, beautiful Arabian horses, camels, mules, silver, gold beyond measure fell as spoils into the laps of the men, whose great valour, strength and resolution everyone must admit, and for days did not have sufficient provisions, now in the enemy camp they feasted in an end to their hunger and in thanksgiving."

Thus remarked a triumphant Jan Sobieski, having just defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Chocim (at the fortress pictured), on 11th November 1673. In a campaign fraught with difficulties, with self-doubt and terrible weather, Sobieski had struggled against all odds to inflict one of the most devastating defeats on the Ottoman Empire since Lepanto 100 years before. Its incredible status would be forgotten largely because Sobieski would so outdo himself a decade later outside the walls of Vienna.

In this episode, episode 8 of our ongoing Jan Sobieski biography, we detail the grisly outcome of the battle, the critical boosts in morale that Sobieski helped cultivate, the last minute changes in tactics and loyalty and THAT ABSOLUTELY FREEZING WEATHER! Did I mention it was cold? Sobieski embraced it like a true Pole, and reminded his soldiers that as cold as they felt, their enemy felt far colder. As a battle it formed a critical watershed moment in the Polish-Ottoman War, yet as an event it represented a step towards Sobieski's legendary status and renown. With the Polish King dead, soldiers whispered that only their Grand Hetman, only their Sobieski, had what it took to hoist the Crown. As he returned to Warsaw for the election, not even Sobieski could have imagined what would happen next.

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