Chodkiewicz, Jan Karol (1560–1621)

Polish soldier. He served under the Spanish general Ferdinand Alva in the Low Countries and later in the Turko-Moldavian campaign, where he obtained high command. Chodkiewicz played a prominent part in resisting repeated Swedish invasions of the Baltic provinces. He was made a hetman (Cossack leader) of Lithuania in 1605 and won a remarkable victory with 4,000 men against a Swedish army of nearly 20,000. In 1619, however, he was forced to sue for peace, his position having been undermined by revolts. Subsequently, when the Turks and Moldavians attacked Poland, Chodkiewicz counter-attacked and completely defeated the invaders.