The Deluge

"The Deluge" is a literacy masterpiece almost unknown today outside its native country. The epic tail of reasons , faith selfishness, sacrifice and heroic valor sweeps across the planes and forests of Poland, Lithuania and Russia in takes as its selling the bloody background of the Swedish Invasion of 1955-1697

Yellow area - Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Red area - Kingdom of Poland

"Striped" area - feudal duchies : Courland and Electoral Prussia

Like the other to parts of the Sienkiewicz Trilogy, "The Deludge" not only depicts vital historical events but also mirrors a people soul. It is a masterful blend of history and imagination that shows whole nations as well as individuals caught up in earthshaking events, fighting for their lives and rediscovering themselves through their own commitments.

A new cast of fictional and historical heroines and heroes joins the unforgettable charters of "with Fire and Sword", brought to live with a depth seldom found in historical fiction. There is the turbulent and self-willed Andrei Kmitas misled into treason, who triumphs over his enemies as well as himself; the beautiful and thoughtful Olenka whose decency and kindness confonde a tricharrows willaiu and inspire the hero; the valiant Father Kordetski who defence Poland's holiest shrine and wakens the conscience of a nation; the tragically Prince Yanush Radzivill and his ruthless cousin Prince Boguslav, who betray their country and dousens of others. As in all three novels of The Trilogy "The Deludge" dezzles with a gallery of King, Chancellors, generals, magnetes, mercenaries, brave soldiers heroic spiritual leaders and other historical figures who created the era in which this book is set. Rich in action, dramma, humour, faith and simple wisdom they are part of one human experience, not confined to any single nation as thrilling true and challenging today as in their own time and vital to our understanding of the new Europeans

The historical background of the novel is so-called Swedish Deluge or, in other word, the two Northern Wars (1655 - 1660 and...). Benefiting from the weakness of Poland, involved in the Moscow War, the Swedish Army invaded the Polish Republic, attacing first the sea-cost regions and Inflants. Wielkopolska gave in without a fight in July 1655. In the following months the Lithuanian commander -in -chief J.Radziwill and his brother Boguslaw surrendered Lithuania to the Swedish rule (agreement in). The Swedish troops occupied the whole of the Polish territory, including Warsaw, Cracow (where Czarniecki kept fighting for a month) and many other important fortresses. The royal family escaped to Silesia, and crown's army went under the order of Charles Gustav, the Swedish king. Many social groups, thought on various grounds, camted on economic privileges (tax discounts), participation in political power exercice, preservation of freedoms. But all the Swedish did was pillage, rape and distruction. In autumn 1655 a rebellion was set up by some peasant, aristocracy and parts of Crown's Army. The defense of the River Oder became an example of bravery and an incentive to strugle. On the 31st of December, 1655 an anti-Swedish confederation was set up in Tyszowce.