The Christian side was in fact a grand coalition between the defenders of Vienna, mainly troops from the Habsburg Empire, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Holy Roman Empire. Notably absent in the coalition was France, although it called itself Europe's greatest Christian nation. Louis XIV actually, perversely, hoped for a Turkish victory so that he could gain some extra territory from an Austria lying in the ropes.
Even without France, it was a large coalition indeed. However, among all the troops involved, it was the Polish Winged Hussars's magnificent charge which was decisive in destroying the Turkish Army:
The following pamphlet celebrating the Christian victory was printed in England:
Tell your children.
MFBB.
1 comment:
Why was John Sobieski never canonized? He's a hero of Christianity and of civilization as a whole.
I call for a nameday ... and the inclusion in the official curriculum of all secondary schools in Europe of this historic event.
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