Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki (1640-1673). Dissatisfied with the Vasas'
dynastic policies, which they saw as contrary to the interest of the
Polish-Lithuanian state, the gentry decided to elect a native Pole,
a "Piast", to the throne. Michael Korybut was the son of Jaremi
Wisniowiecki, a military commander who won fame during Khmelnitski's
rebellion, and Gryzelda Zamoyska. However, Michael Korybut proved unable
to cope with his responsibilities and with tensions among the various
political fractions. Moreover, he lost a war against Turkey; under the
terms of the peace treaty Turkey occupied Podolia with Kamenets Podolsk,
a stronghold once built with a thought to the defence of the south-eastern
borders of the state.
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