Obrona i poddanie zamku malborskiego Szwedom w 1626 roku oraz rola rotmistrza Wojciecha Pęcławskiego w tych wydarzeniach w świetle relacji miejscowego duchowieństwa katolickiego
The Defence and Surrender of Malbork Castle to the Swedes in 1626: The Role of Infantry Captain Wojciech Pęcławski in Light of Local Catholic Clergy Accounts

Summary/Abstract: The 1626 invasion of Prussia by Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus was anticipated by the authorities of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, the rapid oc- cupation of towns and castles by Swedish forces revealed Prussia’s lack of political and military preparedness to counter the assault. In mid-July 1626, Gustavus Adolphus’s army advanced on Malbork (Ger. Marienburg). While the town surrendered with- out resistance, the castle fell after a brief and disorganised defence. The swift capitula- tion of such a formidable stronghold fuelled widespread rumours of treason. Infantry Captain Wojciech Pęcławski, stationed at Malbork on royal orders, was accused of orchestrating the surrender. In his defence, Pęcławski secured testimonies from two local Catholic clergymen, presented before the consistory court, to clarify the circum- stances surrounding the surrender. Their account of the events offers detailed insight into the defence and capitulation of Malbork Castle. There is one more surviving ac- count that provides an alternative perspective, authored by Rev. Jan Visnensis, a Jesuit from Malbork and an eyewitness to the events. This article undertakes a comparative analysis of these two key documents to reconstruct the sequence of events from the standpoint of the Catholic clergy of Malbork. The necessity of this analysis arises from inaccuracies and misrepresentations in the two previously published studies on the defence and surrender of Malbork Castle in 1626. In addition, the article includes a critical edition of the primary sources.

• Details
• Contents