Hassling-Ketling of Elgin

Summary

Ketling (Hassling-Ketling of Elgin) is a fictional character in Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel Fire in the Steppe, the third volume of his award-winning The Trilogy. A Scotsman, Ketling moved to Poland where he became a Colonel of Artillery in service of the king of Poland John Casimir. Ketling married Krystyna Drohojowska, a former fiancée of his friend, Michał Wołodyjowski.

Hassling-Ketling of Elgin
First appearanceThe Deluge
Last appearanceFire in the Steppe
Created byHenryk Sienkiewicz
Portrayed byJan Nowicki (Fire in the Steppe)
In-universe information
GenderMale
FamilyUnknown
SpouseKrystyna Drohojowska
ReligionChristianity
NationalityScottish

Ketling was killed in the Siege of Kamieniec Podolski, when he (together with Wołodyjowski) blew himself up in a gunpowder depot.

The historical personality on which the character was loosely based was certain Major Heyking, a mercenary from Courland and the commander of the Kamieniec Fortress during the said war.

In 1969 Jerzy Hoffman's film Ketling is portrayed by Jan Nowicki.

References edit

  • Sienkiewicz, H (1992). Fire in the Steppe. Hippocrene Books. ISBN 0-7818-0025-0.