Uskok War

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The Uskok War was fought between the Austrians and Spanish on one side and the Venetians, Dutch and English on the other. The name of the war comes from a privateer force the Austrians had employed to harass Turkish shipping: the Uskoks, who were formed from bands of refugees who had fled Turkish oppression in the Balkans. The Uskoks were based in the city of Senj (Ital. Segna) and other Adriatic ports.

This activity was harming the commercial trade of Venice, and in response the city-state sent a force to defeat the Uskoks. With them were Dutch and English elements who were also concerned about the effect of Uskok raids on the local commerce. In December of 1615, the combined forces blockaded the port of Gradisca, an Uskok base, and hoped to keep Spanish or Austrian troops from reaching the front line.

However, the Spanish were able to relieve the city and the Venetians were forced to come to a negotiated peace. The Uskok War is important because it distracted the future Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II from the deteriorating situation in his realm which would soon lead to the 30 Years' War.

[edit] References

Geoffrey Parker, The Thirty Years' War (London and New York, 1984)