The Winged Hussars: Poland’s unique & deadly cavalry
Feb 17, 2022
Imagine heading out onto the battlefield back in the 17th century with your sword and shield in hand. Suddenly, you hear a rumbling in the distance as the sound of horses begins to draw near. As the dust clears, your eyes take in a huge band of what appear to be armored angels of death riding straight at you with huge lances.
Such was the experience of a large number of unfortunate soldiers who found themselves up against the Polish Hussars. This band of elite mounted warriors fought on behalf of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
By riding into battle wearing not only armor but also huge feathered wings, the hussars managed to become known as one of the most spectacular (not to mention deadly) shock cavalries in history.
The history and origins of the hussars
Who were the hussars and where exactly did they come from? The earliest mention of the winged warriors in Poland dates back to 1500, but most historians agree that they had been already been active in other countries for some time.
It’s widely believed that the first group of Polish hussars was made up of exiled Serbian warriors who the Polish military hired as mercenaries.
Some historians, such as Richard Brzezinski believe that the history of the hussars goes back even further. Brzezinski claims that evidence may trace the hussars back to the 10th century when Byzantine armies recruited mounted Serbian warriors known as “gusars” to serve in the Eastern Roman military.
Brzezinksi theorizes that the gusars eventually began migrating to Hungary and Poland after the Romans were conquered by the Ottoman Empire. It was in 1503, after the Sejm (Polish parliament) hired several of their units, that the first hussars would find a home in the Polish military.
The original “light hussars” most likely used lighter Balkan-style armor, shields, and weapons, at least until the Polish army began recruiting more cavalrymen to flesh out their ranks.
Soon, the original Serbian hussars were joined by recruits of Hungarian, Polish, and Lithuanian nationalities. As they began to adopt more durable armor, the hussars soon began replacing the traditional armored lancers of the Polish cavalry.
Their real glory days, however, began in 1576 when Stephen Bathory became King of Poland and later the Grand Duke of Lithuania.
Bathory’s reign and reforms
King Bathory re-equipped the hussars with heavy weapons and long lances, resulting in a new breed of “heavy hussars” that would eventually make up the bulk of the Polish cavalry. It was then that the “winged hussars” truly began to make their mark as on the world as a force to be reckoned with.
The hussars soon began recruiting members of the “szlachta,” which was a term used for members of the most elite and noble Polish and Lithuanian families. Luckily, back then, Poland had plenty of nobility to go around.
Most European countries at the time had a noble class made up of around one percent of their entire population. Poland’s elite class was composed of around 10 percent of the country’s people.
The 1570s to the 1770s would eventually mark a golden age when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth would enjoy being regarded as one of the most powerful nations in Europe.
Winged Hussar’s Tactics
Among the most brilliantly creative tactics that the Winged Hussars utilized was…well, their wings. Before going into battle, the hussars would mount eagle, falcon, or vulture feathers to a pair of wooden frames, which they would then attach to either their armor or their saddles. What was the point of them? Shock value.
Hussar Half-Armour From Mid-17th Century
Hussar Half-Armour From Mid-17th Century
As crazy as it may sound, the hussar’s wings had a similar effect to cats who puff up their fur. Riding into battle sporting wings made the cavalry members look bigger, scarier, and fiercer from their enemy’s standpoint.
Combine a couple of wings with the leopard or lynx skin capes the hussars often wore, and you’ll see a pretty confusing and terrifying spectacle.
Among their other favorite battle tactics was the hussars’ notorious headlong charging style, which was designed to “crack open” their enemy’s units. While most European knights of the era would stick together in tightly packed formations, the hussars liked to have room to maneuver.
They changed the game by riding in with each warrior about six feet apart, providing them with room to pull off sudden changes in direction, as well as overlapping charge tactics….
Weaponry used by the Winged Hussars
Famous battles…
https://www.history101.com/polish-winged-hussars/