Jan III Sobieski

17 August 1629 – 17 June 1696

Jan III Sobieski (1629-1696) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1674 until his death. A celebrated military commander, he is best remembered for leading the allied relief force that defeated the Ottoman army at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, for which he was hailed as the savior of Christian Europe.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Jan III Sobieski.

Life events

Born at Olesko Castle
17 August 1629

Jan Sobieski was born on 17 August 1629 at Olesko, in the Ruthenian lands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, into a powerful noble family.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków
1640 – 1646

Sobieski was educated at the Nowodworski College and the philosophy faculty of the Jagiellonian University, graduating in 1646.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Grand tour of Western Europe
1646 – 1648

With his brother Marek he traveled through Germany, the Netherlands, France, and England, studying languages and military engineering.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Marie Casimire Louise de La Grange d'Arquien
5 July 1665

Sobieski married the French-born Marysieńka in 1665; their devoted correspondence is famous in Polish literature.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Grand Hetman of the Crown
February 1668

In 1668 Sobieski received the Commonwealth's highest military office, commander-in-chief of the Polish Crown army.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Won the Battle of Khotyn against the Ottomans
11 November 1673

His victory at Khotyn on 11 November 1673 destroyed an Ottoman army and greatly boosted his prestige on the eve of the royal election.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Elected King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania
19 May 1674

Sobieski was elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on 19 May 1674 and crowned in Kraków in February 1676.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led the relief of Vienna
12 September 1683

On 12 September 1683 Sobieski commanded the allied Polish-Imperial forces, including the famous winged hussar charge, that broke the Ottoman siege of Vienna.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Wilanów Palace
17 June 1696

Jan III Sobieski died at his palace of Wilanów near Warsaw on 17 June 1696.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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