Zebrzydowski rebellion
Zebrzydowski's rebellion (), or the Sandomierz rebellion (), was a rokosz (semi-legal rebellion) in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth against King Sigismund III Vasa. 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 (1606–1609) ended in the defeat of the rebels, but the szlachta, in return for their surrender, now controlled the monarchy in the Polish–Lithuanian political system. The rebellion was sparked by several grievances, including the King's attempts to reduce the power of the magnates and increase the power of the royal court. 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