Krzysztof Żegocki

An organiser of local resistance

Krzysztof Żegocki (1618–1673) was the starost of Babimost. After the Greater Poland levy surrendered at Ujście, he organised local units against the Swedish occupiers. His actions show that the collapse of provincial defence did not mean universal acceptance of Swedish rule¹².

Kościan, 4 October 1655

Żegocki took Kościan by surprise and stratagem. The city's historical account dates the action to 4 October. His men also defeated an escort guarding wagons carrying Swedish army treasure, commanded by Louis de Nassau. Small in comparison with the main campaigns, these actions showed that occupation garrisons could still be challenged in Greater Poland³².

After the war Żegocki held secular offices, then entered the clergy and became bishop of Chełm in 1670. His path from partisan organiser to bishop is one of the more unusual careers among figures of the Deluge¹.

Novel and film

Żegocki's name appears in the military world of Sienkiewicz's The Deluge, but his own Greater Poland campaign lies outside Kmicic's main story. No distinct Żegocki role has been verified in Hoffman's film cast⁴⁵.