Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski

Before the Swedish invasion

Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski (c. 1616–1667) belonged to a powerful magnate family. He chaired the Sejm in 1643, became Crown grand marshal in 1650 and Crown field hetman in 1657. His campaigns spanned wars with Cossacks, Sweden, Transylvania and Russia. His military reputation and political office gave him influence over strategy as well as troops of his own¹.

During the Deluge

In 1656 Lubomirski worked with Stefan Czarniecki during fighting near Jarosław and the Greater Poland campaign that led to the Battle of Kłecko. Accounts differ on his role at Warka itself²³⁴⁵.

His forces joined the siege of Toruń in 1658, and he accepted the Swedish garrison’s surrender. He also represented the Commonwealth in the negotiations at Oliwa⁶⁷⁸.

In 1657 he played a major part in defeating George II Rákóczi's forces. Three years later, the Commonwealth army forced a Russian surrender at Cudnów. His standing as a commander therefore rested on more than victories against the Swedes¹⁹.

Revolt after victory

After the war he opposed plans to strengthen royal authority and elect John Casimir's successor during the king's lifetime. Accused and exiled, he led a rebellion from 1665. At Mątwy in 1666 his forces defeated the royal army: the exhausted Commonwealth had entered a civil war. The Łęgonice settlement ended the revolt and forced the king to abandon the proposed vivente rege election. Lubomirski died the following year¹¹⁰.

Novel and film

Lubomirski belongs to the historical setting of Sienkiewicz's The Deluge. His later revolt lies beyond the main Kmicic narrative. The film's credited cast does not justify assigning him a distinct screen role or actor; Hoffman's principal drama follows other characters¹¹¹².