# Battle of Khotyn (1621)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1621-battle-of-khotyn
Location: Khotyn
Categories: battle

Polish-Lithuanian and Cossack forces held the fortress of Khotyn against a huge Ottoman army. 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 (1621), 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 Khotyn 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 Khotyn 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 Khotyn (1621)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khotyn_(1621))
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Khotyn](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Khotyn)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)