# Livonian War: fall of Polotsk (1563)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1563-livonian-war-fall-of-polotsk
Location: Polotsk
Categories: battle

Ivan the Terrible captured Polotsk, pushing Lithuania toward closer union with Poland. Within the broader Jagiellonian Age period: The union with Lithuania created one of Europe's largest states. Victory over the Teutonic Order, the rise of noble democracy and a brilliant Renaissance culture marked the Jagiellonian golden age. At this point in the timeline (1563), the governing authority was Sigismund II Augustus (King of Poland). Last male Jagiellon; oversaw the Union of Lublin that created the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Livonian War: fall of Polotsk mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Livonian War: fall of Polotsk mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Sigismund II Augustus](https://poland-history.com/rulers/sigismund-ii-augustus)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Livonian War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livonian_War)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Livonian War: fall of Polotsk](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Livonian+War%3A+fall+of+Polotsk)
- [Wikipedia — Jagiellonian dynasty (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagiellonian_dynasty)