Zebrzydowski rebellion

The rokosz, formed on 5 August 1606 by Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, Jan Szczęsny Herburt, Stanisław Stadnicki, Aleksander Józef Lisowski, and Janusz Radziwiłł in Stężyca and Lublin, was caused by the growing dissatisfaction with the King among the szlachta (Polish nobility).

In particular, the rebels disapproved of the King's efforts to limit the power of the nobles, his attempts to weaken the Sejm (Polish Parliament) and to introduce a hereditary monarchy in place of the elective one.

The rebellion was supported by both Protestant and Catholic magnates; although religious tensions were a factor, the rebels' grievances were broader and reflected more general concerns about the country's direction.

The rebels initially achieved some successes with unconventional tactics but were ultimately defeated in a series of battles in early 1607, which had significant repercussions for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by further weakening an already unstable political system and contributing to a decline in the King's power and prestige.

The Polish historian Oskar Halecki wrote: After the rebellion, King Sigismund attempted to funnel the nobles' restless energy into external wars.