George II Rákóczi capitulates

Course of events

After defeats suffered by Transylvanian forces, George II Rákóczi capitulated. His Swedish-backed campaign did not bring about the planned partition of the Commonwealth.¹

A closer look

After defeats, the prince agreed to withdraw his garrisons from Kraków and Brest-Litovsk, pay compensation and end his Swedish alliance. He was allowed to leave, but Tatar troops, earlier allied with the Commonwealth, attacked what remained of his army on its return journey.¹

From Radnot to Medzhybizh

Rákóczi entered the war as a party to the Radnot plan to divide the Commonwealth. Following defeat at Czarny Ostrów, he withdrew his remaining troops to Medzhybizh and negotiated with Commonwealth commanders Stefan Czarniecki and Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski. Surrender was intended to save the prince and what remained of his army.²¹

The cost of leaving

The Polish Army Museum says Rákóczi undertook to withdraw his garrisons from Kraków and Brest-Litovsk, break with Sweden and pay more than a million złoty in war compensation; separate sums were to go to commanders and soldiers. Tatar forces then attacked his retreating men. The reversal shows how difficult it was to control allies after a negotiated surrender.¹