Grafika mapy przedstawiającej informacje o najważniejszych wydarzeniach dotyczących stosunków polsko-szwedzkich przed potopem. The most important events during the Swedish Deluge. 1. Battle of Kircholm. Jan Karol Chodkiewicz chose an area that was favourable for him - a flat field, convenient for a hussar charge. Additionally, in order to provoke the attack, the Hetman set up the Polish army in such a way that it looked even less numerous than in reality. The attacking Swedish infantry found itself under fire from Polish artillery and infantry, while the cavalry in the centre was attacked and routed by the Polish cavalry. The panic that broke out prevented King Charles IX from reacting in any way. The battle ended with a great victory of Chodkiewicz and the Polish army. The Swedes lost nearly 9.000 of their 11.000 soldiers. The losses of the Commonwealth are estimated at 300 people killed and injured out of 3.600 taking part in the battle. Congratulations after the battle were sent by Pope Paul V, the King of England and the Turkish Sultan. Despite the great victory, it was not possible to take advantage of it militarily, and the Commonwealth did not gain anything from it., 2. Siege of Riga 1621. The year 1621 was difficult for the Commonwealth, because at that time it was at war with both Russia and Turkey. Using this to his own advantage, Gustav II Adolph decided not to extend the existing ceasefire and in the summer began the siege of the city. The defense of the city led by Hetman Krzysztof Radziwill was not able to hold against the enemy that outnumbered them almost 15 times. Riga had to capitulate, and thus this extremely important port came under the rule of the enemy., 3. Battle of Oliwa. Naval battle of Gdańsk Roadstead. The newly created fleet of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth under the command of Admiral Arend Dickmann, anchored on the Gdańsk roadstead, was spotted by Swedish ships patrolling the Gulf of Gdańsk. The Poles emerged victorious from the battle, as they drowned one of the enemy galleons and captured another one. However, the joy of victory was interrupted when a bullet fired from a retreating Swedish ship killed Admiral Dickmann. The battle was not of much military importance, but it showed the Poles that they could win a naval battle against the powerful Swedish fleet. This success was used for propaganda purposes to raise the morale of the Polish army and to strengthen the position of King Sigismund III Vasa among the Gdańsk burgesses. 4. Battle of Trzciana. The Swedes' entry into the region of Pomerania and the suppression of grain trade led the Polish nobility to agree on increased taxes and to deploy a large army. The battle of the Commonwealth forces supported by Austrian reinforcements led to a great victory over Swedish cavalry, which practically ceased to exist. The Swedish King, Gustav II Adolph, would have perished himself if not for the sacrifice of his officers. This battle, led by Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski, is considered one of the greatest victories in the history of the Polish military. 5. Truce of Altmark. A treaty ending the Polish-Swedish war of 1626-1629, allowing the Swedes to retain the majority of Livonia and all Prussian ports as well as to collect customs duties from the Gdańsk trade, which enabled the control of Polish maritime trade. This led to an economic disaster for the Commonwealth. The truce was amended in 1635 by the Treaty of Stuhmsdorf.