In the fields between Roszkowice and Byczyna, the Archduke’s army of about 6 thousand was forced by the equally strong Polish army, approaching from the direction of Sieros?awice, to accept battle. The topography favoured Maximilian who placed his staff on the Cross Hill near Byczyna which dominated the whole area. The attacking troops were forced to move up the slope nearly 1 km long. On the Sunday of 24 January 1588 both armies stood facing each other: Poles from the east, i.e. from Roszkowice, and the Austrians from the west, with Byczyna’s fortified walls behind them. A bloody battle ensued and within less than an hour over 3000 people were killed. To this day the site of that battle is known to the local inhabitants as hell.