Siege of Kraków (1587)

The Siege of Kraków in 1587 took place between 14 October and 29 November of that year, after the contested election of 1587. The election resulted in a double selection of candidates - Zygmunt Waza was elected by the nobility on the 19th of August, while another faction of the gentry chose Maximilian III, Archduke of Austria on the 22nd of August. Maximillian attempted to enforce his election by force, leading to the War of the Polish Succession (1587-1588), and in the course of the campaign besieged the city of Kraków.

Kraków was defended by the hetman Jan Zamoyski, and a general attack by the pro-Austrian forces was repelled on November 22. Many affluent burghers of German background participated directly in the defense against "the German enemies", while others donated funds for the city's defense. Several of them were ennobled as a result and admitted into the ranks of the szlachta.