The Poles – late 17th century

At the moment, the French and Imperial armies make the bulk of my late 17^th century collection. however, recent orders with Legio Heroica have now added the Polish to that list. The figures were separated in four batches for painting, offering time between batches for some research.  

Polish infantry and guns

By the later half of the 17th century, the Polish infantry organised their shot and pike in a similar manner as their western counterparts. Pictured here are two battalions and plans are made to double the number with militia and mercenary units adding another four units. The Polish infantry wear a blue top coat leaving other colours for mercenaries and foreign troops serving with the Polish Commonwealth forces. 

Dragoons are still regarded as mounted infantry and would not attain a level of proficiency classing them as battlefield cavalry until the end of the century. Units of dragoons would often be found supporting the artillery during battle. 

During this time, cavalry make up the majority of Polish forces with infantry and artillery forming a support role. At the Battle of Vienna (1683), 20 regiments of infantry accounted for a third of the Polish force led by John III Sobieski. 

The Pancerni

By the middle of the 17^th century, Cossack cavalry were organised as Pancerni (armoured cavalry) to distinguish them from rebel Cossacks. The Pancerni were equipped just like Cossack cavalry (firearms, sabres, sometimes bows) but wore chainmail and the distinguishing misiurka helmet. The shield may have disappeared during the latter part of the century. Formed in rotas of 60 to 200 men, two such formations would support a rota of winged hussars forming a “banner” of cavalry.

The Winged Hussars.

At the last half of the 17^th century, the hussar dress of comprised of cuirass, spaulders and arm bracers, and a burgonet or lobster-tailed pot helmet. Armed with lance, koncerz sabre, backsword, pistols, mace and hatchet, they were ably equipped to assault enemy mounted and foot formation. Recruited from the Polish nobility, they were organised in rota or squadrons of 60 to 200 men.

To paint these, I selected a larger pallet for their dress reasoning some variation between noble families. The tanned animal hide is usually depicted as a leopard skin, but wartime conditions may have prompted the use of an alternative covering. The wings were traditionally assembled from the feathers of Raptors, and at the link you will note the variety of colour found among the bird of prey. Pennons will be added later, as will their flags and banners. 

Cossack Light Horse.

Not all Cossack cavalry were up-armoured, especially those units newly recruited for a pending campaign. For this reason, the Cossack light horse are painted in differing colour schemes and keeping their banner affiliation to the colour of their caps, red or blue. Also in the photo are the commander and sub-general, rather plainly dressed by comparison to their cavalry. 

17-03-2022

The Polish in battle array

Pancerni deploy to either side of a unit of hussars forming a banner of cavalry. Together, banners would charge the enemy in waves, any breakthroughs created by the hussars, broken enemy would be pursued by pancerni, leaving the hussars to regroup. Not all Cossack wore armour (pancerni) and unarmoured types would be positioned on the flanks to foil Tatar attempts to encircling the battle line. 

The Ottoman or Tatars were frequently at odds with the Poles and incursions, deep into Commonwealth territory would invariably find defensive positions held by militia. Nonetheless, infantry was deployed on the battlefield, forming a second line on which Polish cavalry could reform or in the case of a siege, storm fortified positions. 

Nearly every element carries a flags or banner. These are modelled after the illustrations seen in the Stockholm Roll of 1605, this depicts a ceremonial parade of dignitaries on horseback or seated in carriages followed by cavalry and infantry. Flags for the mounted units are predominately red and white, while other colour combinations can be seen for the infantry units. One unit appears in a West European style costume, the militia of Krakow, suggesting units raised by other cities may have adopted similar styles.