Zawisza Czarny

The legendary Zawisza Czarny of Garbow ( German also Sawischa, Sabisch, Sewisch, Zawisch ... the black, de swarcze, Niger, Zawisza Czarny z Garbowa Polish, Latin Zawissius Niger de Garbow; * 1379 in Stary Garbów, † June 12, 1428 in Golubac ) was a famous Polish knight, according to Dlugosz German origin at the turn of the 14th/15th. Century.

Life

He served the Teutonic Order in Prussia and was one of those who then called off the Teutonic Order. However, he continued to serve the future Emperor Sigismund.

Celebrated since the 19th century as " Zawisza Czarny " from Sulima - aristocratic family in numerous Polish seals and dramas, he is best known for the Battle of Tannenberg. The Polish legend to know the following: When there out of sight of the combatants, the flag of the Polish Kingdom was gone and therefore came the Poles in panic and fled, sang German Teutonic Knights their song of triumph: " Christ is risen ". This temporary relaxation of the Order troops made ​​it so the poles possible to bring the flag back to itself, a feat that " Zawisza Czarny " was attributed.

As a delegate of the king Władysław II Jagiello he held on to the courts of Europe, where he participated in many jousting tournaments. He defeated among others, one of the strongest Spanish knight, John of Aragon.

As a participant of a Polish delegation King Władysław II Jagiello sent him to the Council of Constance in 1414.

He took part in the crusade 1428 of the Roman-German king Sigismund of Luxembourg against the Ottomans. During the crossing of the Danube, the Hungarian army, however, was attacked on 12 June 1428 and the king and later emperor was saved according to legend, alone, thanks to the Opfermuts of Zawisza. Zawisza himself had remained with the army led by him, on the right bank of the Danube, because he had promised not to withdraw (hence the Polish proverb comes " down as the Zawisza leave "). Since Zawisza and his army had to defend themselves, they could not translate over the Danube. Although sent the Hungarian king, who was already on the left bank in safety, Zawisza a boat, but this was on the right bank, to protect the rearguard of Sigismund's army.

His head was brought to the Turkish Sultan, the body have the Rasziener, so they called the Serbs in the Middle Ages, were buried.

In the Serbian fortress in Golubac him a commemorative plaque was placed in honor, with the inscription: In Golubac 1428 his life was taken by the Turks, the famous Polish knight, symbol of courage and honor, Zawisza Czarny. Glory to the heroes!

According to him, some Polish sports clubs were named, the most famous is Zawisza Bydgoszcz. Similarly, a Polish sailing ship Zawisza Czarny was named.