Udział hetmanów litewskich w przygotowaniu kampanii wojennej na przykładzie zmagań ze Szwecją w roku 1625
Lithuanian hetmans’ importance for military preparation in Grand Duchy. Case of Livonian campaign, 1625–1626

Summary/Abstract: Livonian war, waged by Lithuanian army against Swedes in 1625–1626, showed very clearly, that without hetman’s help (commander-in-chief) any military preparation would have been very difficult or even impossible. Using their private resources: men, money or raw materials Lithuanian commanders were able to build quite the large army. The king Sigismund III’s decisions, quarrels among high – ranking officers and military blunders did not allow to use these forces properly. Structure of the army, composition of officer’s corps and troops’ strength was heavily influenced by hetmans. Maintaining army in the camp was possible because of their considerable borrowing. They used their vast landed estates as a source of food, arms and military equipment. Hetmans were responsible for camp and march discipline and civilians protection, however their achievements in that area were rather modest.

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