King of Poland
1674-1696, and hero of the siege
He was born in 1629, son of James Sobieski, the castellan of Cracow. After defeating the Turks at Choczim (11 November 1673), he was elected King of Poland on 21 May 1674 in succession to King Michael Wisniowiecki.
In 1683 he achieved that victory will live for ever. Vienna was besieged by the Turks, and was about to fall. Then the defenders looked out and a great cry went up from the walls,
John! John Sobieski!
It is this cry that sticks in my memory and makes him a hero of history to me.