Maria Kazimiera – the Queen of Poland

The war epopee of Sobieski

Led by King Charles Gustav, the Swedish army invaded Poland at the end of July. Polish troops in Wielkopolska signed an act of capitulation in Ujscie upon Notec, as advised by the Chancellor of the Crown, Hieronim Radziejowski. Soon after that, in a fashion similar to the biblical deluge, the Swedes inundated Poland. Only a few Polish cities, such as Czestochowa and Zamosc, defended themselves successfully.

The King and the court were exiled to Silesia. A large number of high-ranking Polish military, including Sobieski, recognized Swedish rule. Today such conduct would be seen as betrayal. At that time it was understood as favoring one king over another. Both monarchs, Jan Kazimierz and Charles Gustav, were both from the Waza dynasty of Sweden. They could potentially compete for the Swedish throne. Why should they not compete for the Polish one? A large section of the noble class was dissatisfied with the rule of Jan Kazimierz because he did not keep his pre-election promises. His Swedish relative Gustav assured him that the Polish noble class would receive more liberties, general amnesty and freedom of religion under his rule. The Poles were soon to find out that these were empty promises. He treated Poland as an occupied land, where the Swedes were free to do whatever they wanted.

At the end of 1655, the legitimate King of Poland returned to Lvov, and more and more Poles gave him their support. Under the command of Stefan Czarniecki, Polish peasants and highlanders fought on the side of Jan Kazimierz. Soon, the noble class followed their example. Among the noblemen most loyal to the Polish King was Jan Zamoyski. In February 1656, he organized the defense of the city of Zamosc. The victory in this battle was strategically important.

Very little is known about Sobieski’s service to Charles Gustav. He soon realized his mistake, left the side of the Swedish monarch in March 1656 and joined the Czarniecki troops. As ironic as it sounds, Sobieski benefited from the time spent on the side of the enemy. He saw a modern army in action and became familiar with the efficient way of using various types of troops in the battlefield. He later utilized this experience for the sake of Poland. It took him several years to erase the label of the ‘traitor’ and earn the rank of lieutenant. In the battle of Warsaw, Sobieski was able to display his military skills and proved his ability as a commandant.

The traveling royal court

When the young soldier fought with the enemies, the object of his affection was safe in the territories of the German Empire. The royal couple and the court left Warsaw in August to avoid confrontation with the Swedes. For a while, the royals stayed in Krakow at the Wawel Castle, but did not feel safe enough there. They decided to cross the German border and stay in Silesian Glogowek in the castle of Count Oppesdorff. Although the host was very hospitable, the Polish guests felt miserable. The King was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and considered signing an agreement with the Swedes, but his sharp-minded wife prevented this political suicide.

During the Glogowek days, Marysienka was introduced to another rich noble man named Jan Zamoyski. He naturally was impressed by her beauty, but did not have time for courtship. When the King decided to return to Poland, Zamoyski assisted him and was very active with organizing the resistance against the Swedes. After the heroic defense of Zamosc, Zamoyski invited the King to his headquarters for a luscious reception. It was then decided that the Queen and the assisting girls should end their Silesian exile.