CALENDAR. JANUARY 7, 1601 425 years ago, during the Polish-Swedish war for Livonia, the troops of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth won a crushing victory over the Swedish army in the Battle of Kiesia (Lat. Cēsis). This clash was one of the first significant successes of the Polish-Lithuanian side in the long and devastating conflict for domination of the Livonia area. The battle was part of the campaign conducted after the Swedish occupation of a significant part of Livonia, which took place after the overthrow of Sigismund III Vasa from the throne of Sweden. The forces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, commanded by Lithuanian Field Hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, used better terrain reconnaissance, maneuver and military discipline, defeating the larger Swedish troops. The victory at Kiesia stopped the Swedish advance into Livonia and forced the enemy to go on the defensive. The clash also had a psychological significance. At a time when Sweden was considered a modern and efficiently commanded military state, the defeat at Kiesia undermined the myth of its invincible army. For the Lithuanian troops, it was a harbinger of future triumphs, which reached their climax a few years later at Kircholm. Interesting fact: the Battle of Kiesia is sometimes referred to as one of the first tests of Jan Karol Chodkiewicz’s talent in the Livonian War. It was the experience from this campaign that allowed him to improve the tactics of using cavalry, including the hussars, which in the following years became the terror of the Swedish army and one of the icons of the art of war in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Although it remains less known today than later great battles, the Kiesia of 1601 was an important turning point, confirming the Commonwealth’s ability to successfully defend its northern borders in the face of the growing power of Sweden.

Historical Calendar #7January1601 #Battle of Kieśą #Polish-Swedish Wars #Livonia #History of Poland #History of Lithuania #Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth