# Krivonos — With Fire and Sword character guide

> Krivonos in With Fire and Sword by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Krívonos, Maksim Krívonos, old Krívonos

**First appearance:** 0009-x

## Snapshot

A Cossack commander whose name means 'Crooked-Nose' and whose reputation for butchery precedes him across the ruined countryside.

## Who they are

Krivonos is Hmelnitski's most feared subordinate, the man whose hand leaves villages burned and populations slaughtered in his wake. The prince's troops march past his work — hanged nobles, rows of 'Cossack candles' with blackened hands stretched to heaven — and count the dead in silence. He never needs to appear on the page to be present; his atrocities define what the war has become.

## In the story

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xv)

Sent ahead with Tartars to attack the Polish hetmans at Korsún.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxvi)

Volunteers to lead an attack against Prince Yeremi, demanding good warriors; marches out of camp with sixty thousand men.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxvii)

Young Krívonos leads the Cossacks in battle, is wounded by Pan Kushel, and flees to the town.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxviii)

Mentioned as the enemy commander with sixty thousand troops, whose scouts pose a threat.

### [The Night March to Konstantinoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxx)

The rebel leader with sixty thousand men, whose forces are sighted approaching Konstantinoff.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxi)

Leads the Cossack forces; orders attacks despite heavy losses; vows revenge.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxii)

Suffers a major defeat at the hands of Prince Yeremi; later chained to a cannon by Hmelnitski but restored to command.

### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Mentioned as having ordered Bogun to return for the war.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Believes the false reports of Prince Yeremi's advance, becomes fearful, and sends Bogun on a scouting mission to verify the news.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxix)

Mentioned by Zagloba as a threat; the peasants deny any connection to him.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xli)

Receives Bogun after his defeat; comforts and cares for him despite his failure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/krevonos
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters