Battle of Kircholm
1605 · Kircholm (modern Salaspils, Latvia) · World · Modern
With a charge of winged hussars, Chodkiewicz routed a Swedish army three times the size of his own, and more than half of the Swedes were killed or wounded
Belligerents
Lithuanian army
- Commanders
- Jan Karol Chodkiewicz
- Strength
- About 3600
Swedish army
- Commanders
- Charles IX
- Strength
- About 11,000
Background
During the Polish–Swedish War, King Charles IX of Sweden led a large army to besiege Riga. The Lithuanian commander Chodkiewicz hurried there with a far smaller relief force.
Course of the battle
- Feigned retreatChodkiewicz lured the Swedish army away from its advantageous position on high ground
- Swedes deployThe Swedish infantry and cavalry deployed in a checkerboard formation on the plain
- Winged hussars chargeThe Lithuanian winged hussars concentrated their charge on both flanks of the Swedish army, and the Swedish cavalry fled in rout
- Collapse along the whole lineStripped of cover, the Swedish infantry was cut apart and annihilated, and Charles IX narrowly escaped capture
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1605 |
|---|---|
| Place | Kircholm (present-day Salaspils, Latvia) |
| Result | With a charge of winged hussars, Chodkiewicz routed a Swedish army three times the size of his own, and more than half of the Swedes were killed or wounded |
| Winner | Lithuania |
| Casualties | The Swedish army lost about 6,000–8,000 killed and wounded; Lithuanian army casualties numbered several hundred |
| Territorial change | Sweden temporarily gives up taking Riga |
Impact
The Battle of Kircholm is one of the most famous victories of the Polish–Lithuanian winged hussars and is regarded in both Lithuania and Poland as a classic example of the few defeating the many.
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