Uskok War

Uskok War
Locations of important locations in modern-day Europe.
Date 1615-18 Location Northern shores of the Adriatic Sea Result Many Uskok pirates executed or exiled, Austrian garrison installed to check Uskoks
Belligerents
Republic of Venice Dutch Republic England	Holy Roman Empire Kingdom of Croatia Spain

The Uskok War, also known as War of Gradisca was fought between the Austrian (Croatian Habsburg soldiers - Uskoci) and Spanish on one side and the Venetians, Dutch and English on the other. Based out of Senj (Ital. Segna) bands of Uskoks fought a fairly successful guerrilla war against the Ottomans, and they formed small units and rowed swift boats.

Since the Uskoks were checked on land and were rarely paid their annual subsidy, they resorted to acts of piracy. Uskoks did not limit their attacks to Turkish vessels but also Venetian merchantmen were often attacked by the Uskoks (and later also attacked by Spanish corsairs). The Venetians tried to protect their shipping with escorts, watchtowers, and other protective measures, but the costs became too high: 120,000 Thalers annually in the 1590s, 200,000 in the 17th century, and 360,000 by 1615. In December 1615, Venetian troops laid siege to Gradisca, located on the Isonzo River.

The Venetians launched a major diplomatic campaign for allies, since the Uskoks were vassals of then-Archduke Ferdinand of Inner Austria, who was likely to seek help from the Holy Roman Emperor Matthias (his uncle) and King Philip III of Spain (his brother-in-law). In September 1616, Count John Ernest of Nassau-Siegen agreed to raise 3,000 men in the Dutch Republic for Venetian service. They arrived the next May, followed six months later by another 2,000 with a contingent of English volunteers. Support from the Spanish was prevented on sea by a flotilla of 12 Dutch and 10 English warships, and on land by the a war in Mantua.

Ferdinand only had 4,000 soldiers to defend Gradisca, but received military, political and financial support from the Spanish as part of a larger deal: Philip agreed to give aid against the Venetians and support Ferdinand as the next Holy Roman Emperor in return for the cession of Alsace, Finale Ligure and Piombino. This led to a negotiated settlement between Ferdinand and the Venetians in which many Uskok pirates were executed or exiled, and a permanent Austrian garrison was installed in Senj.

The Uskok War, also known as War of Gradisca was fought between the Austrian Croatian Habsburg soldiers - Uskoci and Spanish on one side and the Venetians, Dutch and English on the other. Based out of Senj Ital. Segna bands of Uskoks fought a fairly successful guerrilla war against the Ottomans, and they formed small units and rowed swift boats. The Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria holds a variety of Balkan refugees, fleeing from the Turks, and allow them to settle in Carniola and Dalmatia with subsidies and privileges in exchange for military service. The Slav refugees allocated on the coast begins to make inroads against the Venetian trade, and are called "Uscocchi" ("refugees"). Venice protest in vain, she is forced to enhance the protection of convoys and takes punitive expeditions against the pirates' refuge, but the emperors Maximilian II and Rudolf II will continue the same policy. The loss of the ship of the rector of Kotor and the kidnapping of the administrator of Sleep Venice push to block the ports leading Austrian Duke Ferdinand of Austria to accept a treaty with which it agrees to replant the pirates but that is not met. The Uskoks continue the raids. Near the island of Hvar captured and executed the Venetian patrician Christopher Venier. At a conference in Linz, Austria calls for the liberalization of shipping in the Adriatic, but refusing Venice.

The Beginning of the War of Gradisca.

The Venetian fleet crashes Trieste, whose garrison is reinforced by Captain Sebastian Zuech. The castle of San Servolo, the Karst Edge, has sacked two of infantry insignia Venetians in return are intercepted at the Rio Ospo from 240 German musketeers that causes them among a dozen killed and wounded. The administrator Benedict Lezze with 1,000 cavalry and infantry occupies the Venetian castle of San Servolo. Uscocchi and Croatian troops led by Colonel Wolfgang Francipane Count Trsat plunder the territory of Monfalcone. The Venetian garrison that was restricted to shoot some guns from the fortress. On the Carso, Slovenia, and between Corgnale in today in today's Podgorje Piedimonte, gather 1,200 Croatian soldiers, 500 horsemen and 500 Uskoks, fronted by 3000 the Venetians led by Benedict Lezze administrator. The Duke of Savoy in Venice offers an alliance but the Senate refused. Carry out the raids and fires on the Karst of Trieste and Istria. The administrator of today Palmanova mobilize militias Savorgnan and Friuli and has 3,000 men with whom stood on the Isonzo and the raids began around the fortress of the Habsburg Gradisca.

The First Siege of Gradisca.

In 1616 the Venetians in advance and invest Farra Gradisca works siege archducal disturbed by the cavalry from Gorizia and Lucene. They are put in place three major culverins, four guns and three children culverins, other pieces on the side of Farra, damaging the walls, buildings and silence the enemy artillery, except colubrina "Cerberus" from the castle. The assault on the breaches are repulsed with heavy losses. You then begin the work of mine at the barbican tower "San Giorgio". Pompeo Giustiniani is saved by the intervention of some companies of courses from Farra. The mine explodes without effect, resumed the bombardment of the fort but received reinforcements of men and materials. The Venetians launched another futile assault in which only the courses differ. Giustiniani lifted the siege and retreats to Mariano.

The Second Siege of Gradisca.

The Venetians refrain from further offensive and intensify the blockade of Gradisca. The diseases reduce losses and their effects, the Dutch are halved. Austrian reinforcements arrived, led by Albert von Wallenstein. The Austrians in three columns Farra, Gradisca Gorizia and assault the camp of the militias Albanian Camillo Treviglio, inflict heavy losses, including the commanders of Marcantonio Manzano, Leonardo and Pietro Avogadro Gualdo, supplies and lead to degrees. A column Austrian attack the Venetians that block strong Stella and defeats them hard; Orazio Baglioni is one of the fallen. The Austrians also take over the trenches on Monte San Michele. Lando is saved with difficulty. Giovanni de Medici left the command for health reasons, replaced by Prince Luigi d'Este. On the night of strong Stella sent reinforcements and supplies to the square of Accept, around which the Venetians raise other strong and batteries. Albert von Wallenstein door reinforcements and supplies to the fort and Stella to degrees.