Throughout the period of the Renaissance, the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth found itself in a constant defensive posture against the territorial ambitions of Muscovy, Austria, Sweden, the Ottoman Empire and the rebellious nature of Poland's Cossack allies in Ukraine. The Hussars were active across half the face of Europe; from the forests of Muscovy where they installed a Polish Tsar on the throne of Russia, eastern Germany, southern Ukraine and even Vienna where they defeated a powerful Turkish army in 1683. For nearly two hundred years the frontier nobility of the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth were born, grew up, and died in the saddle.

The armor and equipment of the Hussar must surely be the most beautiful and costly ever seen in Europe and perhaps even the world. The nobles of Poland made conspicuous display of their wealth and standing in their civilian and military dress. Oriental brocades, precious gems, exotic furs, and lavishly decorated armor were de riguer for the Hussars. The most striking feature of the Hussar's armor were the wing or pair of wings that were mounted on the back plate of his armor. These consisted of a curved wooden frame decorated with gold and rich fabrics, and a row of eagle or vulture feathers inserted along the back edge.

The Hussar armed himself with a sabre, bow and arrows of eastern fashion, short carbine pistols on his saddle and even pistols thrust into his boots. In addition to an 18 foot lance, the Hussar carried a second sword called "pałasz" strapped to his saddle. This sword had a sabre grip and a straight, edgeless blade between four and six feet long. The cross-section of the blade was square like a fireplace poker and was used to pierce armor once the Hussar had lost or broken his lance.

Horses were highly prized and no expenses were spared in their presentation. Even the cosmopolitan and fashion conscious French were taken aback by the outrageous public displays of Polish delegations. Horses were shod with gold and silver shoes that were designed to fall lose in the streets as they went and some nobles took to the Turkish practice of dyeing the lower portions of their horses red or green. Saddle cloths were often of 'Persian rug' style weave and the skins of predatory animals were also used as saddle coverings. A tiger or wolf skin might be draped over the horse so that the animal's head made a cap for the horse and its legs hung down along the legs of the horse. In some instances this was even done with the skins of polar bears. Harness was decorated with gold studs and gems set in gold and silver mountings. Along with a profusion of silk tassels and braided leather knotwork, these made the hussar's horse as beautiful and threatening as its rider.

Husaria did not lose any battle for 125 years (1500-1625). It brought fear and panic in enemy ranks. The Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth had adopted the hussars from Hungary. When the unit type was first adopted, it was a light cavalry formation, and later it transformed into heavier cavalry. Until the end of 17th century it was the most famous elite unit of the Commonwealth.

The most famous battle in which the Husaria participated was probably the relief of Vienna (1683), which had been surrounded by militant Islamic Turks and their Tartar allies. The legacy of this battle consists of the modern coffee shop (Starbucks, Barnes & Noble), because the victorious Poles captured the Turks coffee. One entrepreneur set up shop in Vienna, which is still famous for its coffee houses, and the rest is history.


Music:
Hans Zimmer
Steve Jablonsky
James Dooley


Sources:
www.tworcownia.pl
www.digart.pl
A few pictures from different websites.