Dmytro Ivanovych Vyshnevetsky (Ukrainian: Дмитро Іванович Вишневе́цький; Russian: Дмитрий Иванович Вишневе́цкий; Polish: Dymitr Wiśniowiecki) was a Ruthenian magnate of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He established the Khortytsia Castle as a stronghold on the Small Khortytsia Island. He was also known as Baida (Байда, Polish: Bajda) in Ukrainian folk songs.
Contents
Biography
Dmytro Vyshnevetsky was born into the powerful family of Ruthenian magnate Ivan Wiśniowiecki (?-1542) (part of Gediminids bloodline and the youngest son of Michał Zbaraski) and Nastazja Olizarowicz (?-1536), daughter of Semen Olizarowicz.
At first Dmytro Vyshnevetsky lived in the town of Vyshnivets of the Kremenets Powiat (county). In 1550–1553, Vyshnevetsky became a starosta of the Cherkasy and the Kaniv Powiats. Vyshnevetsky has been called the first Cossack Hetman, although he is not mentioned with this title in the 16th-century sources.
Dmytro Baida Vyshnevetsky was an able leader, although somewhat of a reckless adventurer. He started organizing a Cossack army in 1550 against the Crimean Khanate. Displeased with the king Sigismund II Augustus's policy of Catholization and centralization of power, he was ready to go over to the Turks. However, he was appointed to fortify the island of Mala Khortytsia on the Dnipro beyond the rapids. According to Hrushevsky, Vyshnevetsky built the fortress out of his own pocket as both Sigismund II Augustus and Devlet I Giray refused to provide any assistance. Eventually he managed to develop it to the point that khan Devlet I Giray could not take it, and he deflected the khan's efforts to Russia.
