Brave, honorable, arrogant – deadly. The Winged Hussars were the elite Polish cavalry unit, fighting all over the battlefields of Baroque Europe, from 16th through the 18th centuries. The Hussars were direct descendants of medieval knights and were well versed in the art of war. Their tactics, weaponry, incredibly high morale, love of their fatherland and stunning appearance, all contributed to their spectacular successes in countless wars and battles.

The Winged Hussars’ legacy inspired friends and foes alike, influencing nations the world over. In the United States, the Polish count and Continental Army General, Casimir Pulaski (named the father of US cavalry), trained George Washington’s troops in methods that were derived from those of the Winged Hussars. In today’s Poland, the image of the Winged Hussar is still revered as a symbol of strength, honor, prestige and bravery.

The most spectacular and mythical feature of the Hussars were their iconic wings. Many historians argued that they served purely a ceremonial purpose and were worn only during parades – not until recently was it conclusively proven that they were also in fact worn in battle. Throughout the existence of the Hussars, the wings went through many variations and evolved over time into their most recognizable shape.

The wings gave the riders the appearance of giant birds of prey – combined with predator skins the Hussars draped their armor with, they instilled a very primal fear into the hearts of the enemy and enemy horse alike. The Winged Hussars descended upon their foes like avenging angels, charging with the fury of wild animals, sowing panic and discord amongst enemy ranks by their appearance alone.

The Hussars were one of the most flexible and best armed military units of their time. Their primary offensive weapon were ~20 foot long lances, which were longer than their West European equivalents and much longer than the common infantry pike. Once a lance was shattered and the enemy formation broken, a Hussar was able to continue his assault with an assortment of weapons that were secured to his saddle: a long thrusting sword (koncerz), a backsword (palasz), a sabre (szabla), a warhammer (nadziak), two wheellock pistols and at times even a bow.

Hussar armor was light but incredibly effective – the breastplate was impervious to both musket and pistol fire and there are records of it being able to sometimes effectively stop cannon shot. Combined with steel szyszak helmets, gorgets, vambraces and chainmail, the Winged Hussars, galloping atop their powerful Arabian-bred horses (the most expensive part of a Hussar’s implements), were nearly unstoppable.

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth of the 15-18th centuries, was the largest kingdom in all of Europe, spanning nearly 382,241 square miles (one and a half the size of Texas). Unprecedented for its time, it was a culturally and ethnically diverse land (50% of its population were immigrants), where every religion was tolerated (Christianity, Protestantism, Judaism, Orthodoxy, Islam, etc.) and where its king was elected in a democratic fashion.

The Commonwealth’s territory, stretching from the Baltic in the north all the way to the Black Sea in the south, consisted mostly of a vast plain – perfect terrain for invading armies. The kingdom existed in an almost perpetual state of war, fighting against Russians, Swedes, Ottomans, Austrians, Prussians, Cossacks, Tartars, Moldavians, Wallachians, Transylvanians, Danes, et.al. Due to the Commonwealth’s immense size, the Pole-Lithuanians relied mostly on cavalry to rapidly traverse its lands and face their enemies. The elite Winged Hussars soon became the backbone of their fatherland’s defense.