Stumbled across a remarkable photo set from Radoslaw Sikora, a Polish historian who specializes in the legendary Winged Hussars of the 17th Century. As FP readers know, I am much enamored of tales of the Polish-Lithuanian frontier culture of that era. I have no personal connection to this history — in fact, my German ancestors almost certainly fought the Poles in what would become Prussia in the early Middle Ages. Nevertheless, I am drawn to the warrior caste that battled Cossack and Turk in the Wild East.
The book looks so magnificent that I want to buy it even though the text will be incomprehensible to me…
I suppose that one of the aspects of the culture that is so compelling to me is the Continuity & Persistence of old forms into the early modern era. The Polish noble culture was distinctly medieval in cast — yet the Polish-Lithuanian Republic was a republic, though perhaps not quite in the way we think of such a polity. And they were the core of an extraordinarily effective “modern” military force.
The photos depict reenactors who have clearly invested mightily in their depiction of this magnificent heritage.
Matthew says
The Poles and the winged hussars specifically saved Western Civilization at the Battle of Vienna (Sabaton sings about it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcYhYO02f98). They later saved it from the Soviets in a war mostly forgotten.
The pictures in the book look great, but I would want to read the text. It seems that it is a fascinating area of history.
Ugly Hombre says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljExTEPNFnM
Here’s some Polish sabre from the film “the deluge” .
More power to Poland!
A tough people= they beat hell out of the GD Bolsheviks in 1921.
JimC says
That’s considered by some to be perhaps the best sword duel committed to film, though I have a warm place in my heart for the concluding duel in Rob Roy.
Ugly Hombre says
“They later saved it from the Soviets in a war mostly forgotten”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uRzN57qusI
Matthew is right- I was wrong- it was 1920, battle of Warsaw. The West owes them thanks.
Ugly Hombre says
The Rob Roy sword fight is really great! Polish sabre looks like a great thing to learn and a lot of fun for a young person to study and get into.
May watch “The Duel” with Harvey Keitel tonight. Another great film sword battle.
JimC says
Love that movie.
Quixotic Mainer says
That does make for an intriguing book, maybe there will be an english language version at some point? Not only is their kit on point, those gents are extremely well mounted!