Semyon Olshanski

Prince Semyon Yurievich of Halshany (Lithuanian: Simonas Juravičius Alšėniškis; died in 1505 or 1506) was a noble from the Olshanski family in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Semyon Olshanski
Seal of Olshanski featuring Hipocentaur
Died1505/1506
Noble familyOlshanski
IssueTatiana Koretska
FatherYuri Olshanski

Olshanski first appeared in politics as Grand Duke's marshal in 1488.[1] Two years later he became starosta of Lutsk and successfully defended Volhynia from the Tatar invasion during the Polish–Ottoman War (1485–1503).[2] He commanded the army in the victorious Battle of Zasław in January 1491 and was promoted to Marshal of Volhynia.[2] In 1495, sons of Khan Meñli I Giray invaded Volhynia and Olshanski successfully defended the besieged Korets.[3] Next year, the Tatars invaded again and attacked Rivne where Olshanski and Konstanty Ostrogski were hiding. They rode out to attack the invaders, but had to retreat once the main Tatar forces arrived. The invaders burned the city, but did not manage to capture the castle.[3]

When his son-in-law[1] Konstanty Ostrogski was captured in the Battle of Vedrosha in July 1500, Olshanski became the Great Hetman (commander of the army) of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.[2] Grand Duke brokered alliances with the Livonian Order and Great Horde, but the Lithuanian army did not organize more active defense and Olshanski was replaced by Stanislovas Kęsgaila in 1501 or 1502.[3]

Jan Litawor Chreptowicz, regent of Navahrudak, was also taken captive at Vedrosha.[4] He was married to Hedwig Olshanska, Semyon's niece, and Olshanski took over Navahrudak.[5] Here as well he was soon replaced by Piotr Hlebowicz.[5] However, he was able to hold the title of starosta of Kremenets from early 1501 until his death in 1505 or 1506.[1][3] In 1502, Olshanski returned to Volhynia and once again organized defense against the Crimean Khanate that attacked Babruysk, Turov, and Brest.[3]

References
  1. Jankauskas, Vytas (2011). "Alšėniškiai". Lietuvos didikai (in Lithuanian). Kaunas: Šviesa. p. 22. ISBN 5430-04-453-9.
  2. Gudavičius, Edvardas; Valeika, Henrikas (2011). "Alšėnų kunigaikščiai". In Manelis, Eugenijus; Račis, Antanas (eds.). Lietuvos istorija. Enciklopedinis žinynas (in Lithuanian). Vol. I. Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos centras. p. 43. ISBN 978-5-420-01689-3.
  3. Jankauskas, Vytas (2008). "Simonas Jurgaitis Alšėniškis". In Surgailis, Gintautas (ed.). Lietuvos krašto apsaugos ministrai ir kariuomenės vadai (in Lithuanian). Vol. I. Lietuvos Respublikos krašto apsaugos ministerija. pp. 44–47. ISBN 978-9986-738-96-1.
  4. Литовсько-білоруські літописи. Полное собрание русских летописей (in Russian). Vol. 32. 1975.
  5. Petrauskas, Rimvydas; Kiaupienė, Jūratė (2009). Lietuvos istorija. Nauji horizontai: dinastija, visoumenė, valstybė (in Lithuanian). Vol. IV. Baltos lankos. pp. 422, 500. ISBN 978-9955-23-239-1.
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