Jeremi Wiśniowiecki

Jeremi Wiśniowiecki was a powerful Ruthenian prince and military commander of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He became a leading opponent of Bohdan Khmelnytsky’s uprising, defending Zbarazh and earning a reputation for energy, severity and uncompromising magnate power.

Jeremi Wiśniowiecki also held the offices or ranks of Russian voivode, Polish elector, Regimentarz, and starosta of Przemyśl. Jeremi Wiśniowiecki belonged to the House of Wiśniowiecki. Jeremi Wiśniowiecki was born in Lubny and died in Pavoloch.

In Henryk Sienkiewicz’s With Fire and Sword, the first volume introduces the companions who will shape the wider story: the resourceful Zagłoba, the formidable swordsman Michał Wołodyjowski and the powerful magnate Jeremi Wiśniowiecki. Defeats at Żółte Wody and Korsuń spread panic through the Commonwealth, while Helena is forced into hiding and Skrzetuski is drawn deeper into military service. In Henryk Sienkiewicz’s With Fire and Sword, Book II, the Cossack uprising expands into a struggle involving the armies of the Commonwealth, Khmelnytsky’s forces and Crimean Tatar cavalry. Jan Skrzetuski serves under Prince Jeremi Wiśniowiecki while trying to learn whether Helena has survived the destruction around Rozłogi. Bohun continues to pursue her, and Zagłoba’s schemes become essential to keeping her beyond his control as towns, estates and military camps change hands. Jeremi Wiśniowiecki is treated fictionally in Henryk Sienkiewicz’s With Fire and Sword, Book III.