Cavalry Unit of Mikołaj Sieniawski from 1557

Abstract

This article discusses the structure and armament of the mounted mercenary unit commanded by Mikołaj Sieniawski, the coat of arms of Leliwa. This work was created on the basis of the register of this branch written on August 3, 1557 under Terebovlia (now Теребовля in Ukraine). The unit was one of the many that were then recruited to defend the south-eastern lands of the Kingdom of Poland against the Tatar invasion. Mikołaj Sieniawski (1489–1569) was an experienced soldier who served in the army from 1512. He held important offices, including military ones. From 1539 he was a field crown hetman, and from 1561 he was a crown hetman, i.e. the highest military official in the Kingdom of Poland. His squad consisted of 200 horsemen, most of them were experienced soldiers. In terms of weapons, four categories of soldiers can be distinguished: lancers, hussars, Cossacks and henchmen. The main part of the unit consisted of 175 hussars. Their armament most often consisted of a helmet, a shield, a chain mail (or a breastplate) and a light lance. Only 8 horsemen were armed in Cossack style, i.e. with a helmet, chain mail, spear (rohatyna) and a bow with arrows (sahajdak). Only four of the soldiers had full plate armor. Moreover, there were 9 squires (pachołek) and 1 drummer in the register. There is no information in the register about edged weapon, which was usually not recorded in such lists, although the soldiers certainly did have one. M. Sieniawski’s unit did not take part in the fighting because in 1557 because the Tatars did not attack Poland.