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Kazimieras Simonavičius
Kazimierz Siemienowicz (, ; was a Polish–Lithuanian general of artillery, gunsmith, military engineer, and one of pioneers of rocketry. Born in the Raseiniai region of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, he served in the armies of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, the ruler of the Dutch Republic. No portrait or detailed biography of him has survived and much of his life is a subject of dispute. After contributing his expertise to several battles, Siemienowicz published ''Artis Magnae Artilleriae'' in 1650. This treatise, which discusses rocketry and pyrotechnics, remained a standard work in those fields for two centuries. Early life Polish school The Polish school describes his identity simply as member of the szlachta (i.e., nobility in the Commonwealth) from Grand Duchy."Kazimierz Siemienowicz, ubogi szlachcic rodem z Litwy" "Kazimierz Siemienowicz, szlachcic z Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskego" Some sources use the term "Polish,""pols ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polonized
Polonization or Polonisation ()In Polish historiography, particularly pre-WWII (e.g., L. Wasilewski. As noted in Смалянчук А. Ф. (Smalyanchuk 2001) Паміж краёвасцю і нацыянальнай ідэяй. Польскі рух на беларускіх і літоўскіх землях. 1864–1917 г. / Пад рэд. С. Куль-Сяльверставай. – Гродна: ГрДУ, 2001. – 322 с. (2004). Pp.24, 28.), an additional distinction between the Polonization () and self-Polonization () has been being made, however, most modern Polish researchers do not use the term ''polszczenie się''. is the acquisition or imposition of elements of Polish culture, in particular the Polish language. This happened in some historic periods among non-Polish populations in territories controlled by or substantially under the influence of Poland. Like other examples of cultural assimilation, Polonization could be either voluntary or forced. It was most vis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Siege Of Belaya
The siege of Belaya was the final military episode of the Smolensk War. The defense of the fortress by its small Russian garrison against a large Polish-Lithuanian army of King Władysław IV Vasa thwarted the king's plan to march against Moscow and made him sign the Treaty of Polyanovka in which he relinquished his claims to the Russian throne. Previous events The small fortress of Belaya which had fallen into the hands of the Commonwealth during the Time of Troubles was recaptured by the Russian army during its offensive in 1632. After its recapture it was garrisoned by a force of 1,000 soldiers under the command of the Voivode Fyodor Volkonsky. He had distinguished himself in 1618, during the defence of Moscow against Władysław IV as well as during his successful operations against raids from the Crimean Khanate. During the fortuneless siege of Smolensk for the Russians, Volkonsky tried to help the Voivode Mikhail Shein by attacking Polish detachments, capturing Polish ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Smolensk War
The Smolensk War (1632–1634) was a conflict fought between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia. Hostilities began in October 1632 when Russian forces tried to capture the city of Smolensk. Small military engagements produced mixed results for both sides, but the surrender of the main Russian force in February 1634 led to the Treaty of Polyanovka. Russia accepted Polish–Lithuanian control over the Smolensk region, which lasted for another 20 years. Background In 1632, Sigismund III Vasa, the king of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, died. Although the Commonwealth nobility quickly elected Sigismund's son Władysław IV Vasa as their new ruler, Poland's neighbours, expecting delays in the electoral process, tested the Commonwealth's perceived weakness. Swedish king Gustav II Adolph sent envoys to Russia and the Ottoman Empire to propose an alliance and war against the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was not ready for war. In 1631, the royal army numbered ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ostoja Coat Of Arms
Ostoja is a Polish heraldry, Polish coat of arms that probably originated from Sarmatians, Sarmatian Tamga and refer to Royal Sarmatians using Draco (military standard), Draco standard. Following the end of the Roman Empire, in the Middle Ages it was used by Ostoja family in Lesser Poland and later also in Kujavia, Mazowsze and Greater Poland. It is a coat of arms of noble families that fought in the same military unit using battle cry ''Hostoja'' or ''Ostoja,'' and that applied their ancient heritage on the coat of arms, forming a Clan of knights. Later, when the Clan expanded their territory to Pomerania, Prussia, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania they also adopted a few noble families of Ruthenian origin that in 14-15th century settled down in Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine, finally turning into the Clan of Ostoja. As different lines of the clan formed surnames after their properties and adding the adoptions, Ostoja was also recognized as CoA of several families that was not necess ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dnieper
The Dnieper or Dnepr ( ), also called Dnipro ( ), is one of the major transboundary rivers of Europe, rising in the Valdai Hills near Smolensk, Russia, before flowing through Belarus and Ukraine to the Black Sea. Approximately long, with a drainage basin of , it is the longest river of Ukraine and Belarus and the fourth- longest river in Europe, after the Volga, Danube, and Ural rivers. In antiquity, the river was part of the Amber Road trade routes. During the Ruin in the later 17th century, the area was contested between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia, dividing what is now Ukraine into areas described by its right and left banks. During the Soviet period, the river became noted for its major hydroelectric dams and large reservoirs. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster occurred on the Pripyat River, a tributary of the Dnieper, just upstream from its confluence with the Dnieper. The Dnieper is an important navigable waterway for the economy of Ukraine and i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Knyaz
A , also , ''knjaz'' or (), is a historical Slavs, Slavic title, used both as a royal and noble title in different times. It is usually translated into English language, English as 'prince', 'king' or 'duke', depending on specific historical context and the potentially known Latin equivalents at the time; the word was originally derived from the Proto-Germanic language, common Germanic ('king'). Feminine forms of the word may be divided into two groups: * "Princess", be it princess consort (wife of a reigning prince), princess regnant (reigning princess ''suo jure''), or princess regent (reigning on behalf of an underage prince, usually her son after her husband's death) ** Belarusian language, Belarusian: ''kniahinia'' (княгіня) ** Bulgarian language, Bulgarian and Russian language, Russian: () ** Slovene language, Slovene, Serbo-Croatian, and Macedonian language, Macedonian: (in Serbian Cyrillic alphabet, Serbian and Macedonian alphabet, Macedonian Cyrillic: ) ** ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Viciebsk
Vitebsk or Vitsyebsk (, ; , ; ) is a city in northern Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Vitebsk Region and Vitebsk District, though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2025, it has 358,927 inhabitants, making it the country's fourth-largest city. It is served by Vitebsk Vostochny Airport and Vitebsk Air Base. History Middle Ages Vitebsk developed from a river harbor where the Vićba River (Віцьба, from which it derives its name) flows into the larger Western Dvina, which is spanned in the city by the Kirov Bridge. Archaeological research indicates that Baltic tribes had settlements at the mouth of Vitba. In the 9th century, Slavic settlements of the tribal union of the Krivichs replaced them. According to the '' Chronicle of Michael Brigandine'' (1760), Princess Olga of Kiev founded Vitebsk (also recorded as Dbesk, Vidbesk, Videbsk, Vitepesk, or Vicibesk) in 974. Other versions give 947 or 914. Academician Boris Rybakov and his ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dubrowna
Dubrowna or Dubrovno (; ; ) is a town in Vitebsk Region, northern Belarus. It is located on the Dnieper River and serves as the administrative centre of Dubrowna District. As of 2024, it has a population of 6,929. Etymology The toponym originates from a Proto-Slavic term for an oak forest, which may explain the inclusion of oak leaves and acorns in the town's coat of arms. History In the 19th century Dubrowna was a centre for weaving. The town had a significant Jewish community that in 1898 formed more than half of its population. During World War II Dubrovno was heavily affected. It was occupied by German forces July 17–20, 1941, and the town's Jews were killed. It was the scene of considerable partisan activity. From October 1943 to June 1944 it was at or near the front line, and was not finally reoccupied by Soviet forces until June 26, 1944. Dubrowna hosts an annual folk song and dance festival, "Dnepr voices in Dubrovno". Notable people * Harry Batshaw (1902–1984), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Academy Of Wilno
Vilnius University (Lithuanian language, Lithuanian: ''Vilniaus universitetas'') is a Public university, public research university, which is the first and largest university in Lithuania, as well as one of the oldest and most prominent higher education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Today, it is Lithuania's leading research institution. The university was founded in 1579 as the Jesuit Academy (College) of Vilnius by Stephen Báthory. It was the third oldest university (after the Cracow Academy and the University of Königsberg, Albertina) in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Due to the failure of the November Uprising (1830–1831), the university was closed down and suspended its operation until 1919. In the aftermath of World War I, the university saw failed attempts to restart it by the local Poles, Lithuanians, and by invading Soviet Union, Soviet forces. It finally resumed operations as Polish Stefan Batory University in August 1919. After the Soviet invas ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
