Konstanty Ostrogski

Career

Ostrogski began his military career under John I Albert, King of Poland. He took part in successful campaigns against the Tatars and the Grand Principality of Moscow. For his victory near Ochakiv against Mehmed I Giray's forces, he was awarded with the title of Grand Hetman of Lithuania. He was the first person to receive this title. However, during a war with Muscovy, he was defeated in the Battle of Vedrosha (1500) and held captive for three years. In 1503, he managed to escape and joined king Sigismund I the Old, who allowed him to resume his post as a hetman. As one of the main military leaders (alongside Polish generals Mikołaj Firlej and Mikołaj Kamieniecki) of the alliance he continued to wage war against Moscow, and in 1512, achieved a great victory against the Tatars in the Battle of Wisniowiec.

In 1514, another war with the Russians began and he became the commander-in-chief of all the Polish and Lithuanian forces (amounting to up to 35,000 soldiers). Among his subordinates were Jerzy Radziwiłł, , Witold Sampoliński and the future Hetman of the Crown Jan Tarnowski. On 8 September 1514 he achieved a significant victory in the Battle of Orsha, defeating the army of Vasili III of Russia. However, in 1517, his attempt to besiege the Russian fortress of Opochka became a serious defeat that destroyed any hopes to reconquer Smolensk.

Ostrogski died in 1530 as a well-respected military commander. Despite his steady loyalty to Catholic Poland as well as an old feud with an Orthodox Russia, Ostrogski himself remained a devout Orthodox in traditions of his family. He gave generously for construction of Eastern Orthodox churches and sponsored the creation of many church-affiliated schools for the Orthodox children. As one of the wealthiest Orthodox nobles he was buried in the Dormition Cathedral of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.

Legacy

He is one of the characters on the famous painting by Polish painter Jan Matejko, Prussian Homage.

The town of Starokostiantyniv still bears his name. The Lithuanian–Polish–Ukrainian Brigade is also named after him. For his wars against Crimea see Crimean-Nogai Raids, years 1508–1527, including Battle of Olshanitsa.

Family

He had two wives: Tatiana Koretska, daughter of Simeon Olshanski. He married secondly Aleksandra Słucka who was daughter of Anastasia Slutskaya. He had two sons: Illia Ostrogski with Koretska, and Konstanty Wasyl Ostrogski with Słucka.

Notes

References

References

1. (19 January 1996). "Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945". Bloomsbury Publishing USA.
2. (2002). "Dzieje rodu Ostrogskich". Wydawn. Adam Marszałek.
3. (1844). "Dzieje Litwy i Rusi az do unji z Polska w Lublinie 1569 zawartej". Nakładem i drukiem W. Stefańskiego.
4. "Ostrozky, Kostiantyn".
5. "Kijevo Pečorų lauros vienuolyno kompleksas".