Kostka-Napierski Uprising

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The Kostka Napierski Uprising was a peasant revolt in Poland in 1651.

It took place at the same time as the more important Khmelnytsky Uprising in Ukraine and during the Swedish preparation to invade the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Aleksander Kostka Napierski was an adventurer, officer of polish army and probably even a bastard son of the former king Władysław IV. During the revolt, he acted most likely as a spy of Khmelnytsky or the Duke of Siebenburgen. He formed his forces from some rebellious highlanders in Podhale - montanious region in Lesser Poland. They attacked and took the castle of Czorsztyn in Pieniny. Napierski called every peasant in Poland to rise and overthrow the nobles from their position and power. His attempt to spread the revolt were totally unsuccessful. Napierski and his bunch remained isolated in the castle, which was soon recaptured by the forces of Piotr Gembicki, bishop of Kraków. Napierski and other leaders of the revolt were impaled.

Researches conducted by famous polish historian Adam Kersten shown, that many facts about Napierski and his plans are very difficult, or even impossible to be brought to light. It is claimed that Napierski's attempt to revolt the peasants in Lesserpoland was aimed to disorganize polish defence against advancing armies of Khmelnytsky. In fact, two thousand troops were sent by the king from Ukraine to crash the rebellion. As we know, Napierski was executed before they even reached Czorsztyn. Even without those troops, polish army won a decisive victory in the battle of Beresteczko.