Konstanty Ostrogski

For article about other Konstanty Ostrogoski, see Konstanty Wasyl Ostrogski (1526–1608)

Konstanty Ostrogski (approx. 1460 – 1530), also known under his Ruthenian name Konstantin Ostrozhsky and modern Belarusian transliteration Kanstancin Astrožski, was a Lithuanian duke and a Grand Hetman of Lithuania since September 11, 1497, until his death. As a speaker of the Ruthenian language he is considered to be one of the precursors of the Belarusian language and a national hero in Belarus.

He started his military career under king John I Olbracht. He took part in successful campaigns against the Tatars and Muscovy. For his victory near Ochakov against the forces of Mehmet Girey he was awarded with the title of Grand Hetman of Lithuania. He was the first person to receive this title ever. However, during a war with Muscovy he was defeated in the Battle of Vedrosha (1500) and held captive for three years. In 1503 he managed to escape and joined king Sigismund the Old, who allowed him to resume his posts as a hetman. As one of the main military leaders (alongside Grand Hetmans of the Crown Mikołaj Firlej and Mikołaj Kamieniecki) of the alliance he continued to wage war against Muscovy and in 1512 achieved a great victory against the Tatars in the Battle of Wiśniowiec.

In 1514 another war with Muscovy started and Ostrogski became the commander in chief of all the Polish and Lithuanian forces (amounting to up to 35,000 soldiers). Among his subordinates were Jerzy Radziwiłł, Janusz Świerczowski, Witold Sampoliński and the future Hetman of the Crown Jan Tarnowski. On September 8, 1514 he achieved a brilliant victory in the Battle of Orsza, defeating the 80,000-strong army of Vasili III.

He died in 1530 as a well-respected military commander. As one of the wealthiest Orthodox nobles he was buried in the Pecherska Lavra in Kyiv.

See also

• Ostrogski family
• Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth