Osprey Men-at-Arms 184 : Polish Armies (1) 1569-1696

Although Poland's recent problems have captured the imagination of the Western World, few people will realise that at one time the Polish state was one of Europe's great powers. One of the chief instruments of her success was undoubtedly her army, which though small can claim many accomplishments and major successes in the 16th and 17th centuries. Many will know of King John Sobieski, whose legendary 'winged' hussars saved Vienna from the menace of the Turks, but who, for instance, has heard that a Polish army once took Moscow and placed a Polish Tzar on the Muscovite throne? For a long time the balance of power between Poland and Muscovy could have tilted either way, and it was only by chance that Muscovy rather than Poland 'gathered up the Russias' to become the great Eastern European power. Who realises that one of the world's great commanders, the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus, spent most of his military career fighting the Poles - with only limited success - and based many of his reforms on his experiences against them? Richard Brzezinski redresses this imbalance by providing a portrait of Polish armies from 1569-1696, detailing their history, organisation, arms, armour, insignia and dress, accompanied by numerous illustrations and eight superb full page colour plates by Angus McBride. The companion book is Men-at-Arms 188 : Polish Armies (2) 1569-1696.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Organisation and Recruitment
• Cavalry
• Infantry
• The Lithuanian Army
• Pospolite Ruszenie (Levy of the Nobility)
• Flags, Command Insignia and Field Signs
• The Plates