Key Facts
- Duration
- 3 days (Feb 28 – Mar 2, 1609)
- Swedish casualties
- 100 killed, 300 captured
- Lithuanian casualties
- 45 killed
- Cannons captured
- 104
- Ships captured
- 2 merchant ships and numerous boats
Strategic Narrative Overview
Arriving on February 28, 1609, Chodkiewicz's first attempt to creep to the city walls undetected was foiled by Swedish cannon fire. Feigning withdrawal, he concealed his troops in nearby woods overnight in freezing conditions without campfires. Resuming the assault the following night, Polish–Lithuanian miners blew open three main city gates, and Lithuanian infantry fought through to the city center, forcing the remaining Swedish defenders to retreat into the fortress and ultimately surrender.
01 / The Origins
The siege occurred within the broader Polish–Swedish War (1600–1611), a conflict over control of Livonia and Baltic trade routes. Grand Hetman of Lithuania Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, stationed at Biržai, learned of Swedish troop movements from Pärnu toward Daugavgrīva and moved to intercept them, but the Swedes reached Daugavgrīva first, prompting Chodkiewicz to redirect his forces toward Pärnu to exploit what he hoped would be a weakened and surprised garrison.
03 / The Outcome
The Swedish garrison under Daniel von Wochen surrendered, yielding 104 cannons, two merchant ships, and numerous vessels. Many Scottish mercenary prisoners defected to the Polish–Lithuanian side. Chodkiewicz left 200 infantry to hold Pärnu and marched toward Riga. Charles IX accused von Wochen of collaboration; the commander was arrested, tried, and executed. The next major engagement followed quickly at Salacgrīva.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Jan Karol Chodkiewicz.
Side B
1 belligerent
Daniel von Wochen.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.