# Battle of Cecora (1620)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1620-battle-of-cecora
Location: Cecora
Categories: battle

The Ottomans defeated the Polish army in Moldavia; Hetman Żółkiewski was killed. Within the broader Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth period: The Commonwealth of Both Nations elected its kings and prized noble liberty and religious tolerance. It won famous victories but was weakened by wars with Sweden, Russia, the Ottomans and the Cossacks, and by political paralysis. At this point in the timeline (1620), the governing authority was Sigismund III Vasa (King of Poland). Also King of Sweden (1592–1599); moved the royal residence to Warsaw and pursued war with Sweden and Muscovy. Battle of Cecora 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
Battle of Cecora mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Sigismund III Vasa](https://poland-history.com/rulers/sigismund-iii-vasa)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Cecora (1620)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cecora_(1620))
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Cecora](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Cecora)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)