Władysław Denhoff and his "heroic" death in the first battle of Parkany (7th oct 1683) in the light of funeral orations

Abstract

Władysław Denhoff (1639–1683), son of Gerhard, the voivode of Pomerania, and Katarzyna née Opalińska, first married name Wejher, was one of the most illustrious members of his family. His extensive connections, court career and administrative offices, as well as income from extensive estates, allowed him to play a prominent role in the political life. Supporting hetman Jan Sobieski, the future king, Denhoff gained fame not only as a politician but also as a soldier. His participation in the campaigns against the Turks, Tartars and Cossacks in the years 1673–76 earned him a reputation as a man of exceptional courage. The article is focused on Denhoff’s involvement in the Vienna campaign against the Turks and his death in the fi rst battle of Parkány on 7 Oct 1683. The circumstances of this incident are described differently in various sources, some highlighting the voivode’s physical indisposition due to a previous illness, fatigue and obesity, others pointing out that he was twice unsad-dled by a skittish horse. Of particular interest, however, are those relations that describe his surrender to the Turks, as a result of which he was beheaded. In the chaos of the battle, due to Denhoff’s imposing physique the enemy mistook him for King Jan Sobieski, on whom they wanted to avenge their previous defeat. Very interesting information on this event is found in the texts prepared to celebrate Denhoff’s burial at Jasna Góra in December 1683. The funeral oration by Szymon (Ambroży) Nieszporkowicz (1643–1703), the oration by Jerzy Albrecht Denhoff (1640–1702), bishop of Kamieniec, and the poem by Jan Wojciech Janicki all reinterpreted the reasons of his death,  making him a martyr. This was promoted by the Denhoff family, who paid for the ceremony and wanted to glorify Władysław and his military deeds. The texts stressed his piety and loyalty, aiming to associate the name of the Denhoff family with the Catholic Church, which in the case of Władysław was particularly important since he had converted from Protestantism not long before. He was thus remodeled into an ideal Christian soldier and this image was retained by the family tradition.