The hussars, originating in Hungary, stood out as a light and versatile cavalry, gaining notoriety in Central Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The word “hussar” comes from the Hungarian term “huszár”, which translates as “soldier of twenty”, referring to the custom of drafting one in twenty men into the army. These soldiers were easily recognizable by their distinctive and showy attire, which included fitted coats or dolmans, skin-tight pants, high boots, and wide-brimmed hats adorned with plumes. They not only impressed with their aesthetics, but also with their dexterity in combat on horseback, agility in maneuvers and efficiency in attack and exploration missions.
Matthias Corvinus, king of Hungary, pioneered the formation of the hussars in 1485, during the conflict with the Ottoman Empire, where they proved their valor by successfully facing the Turkish Janissaries.
Over time, the concept of hussars was adopted and improved by other armies, notably by the winged hussars of Poland, who received their name due to the approximately one meter long wings they carried on their backs, characterizing them as heavier cavalry. in contrast to other European hussars. Polish and Lithuanian warriors engaged in combat against the forces of Gustav II Adolf of Sweden. They were crucial in the defense of Vienna during the Turkish siege in 1683, as well as taking part in numerous other battles.
Recently, at the end of March, Patryk Chmielewski, a metal detecting enthusiast, had a stroke of luck in his search for historical artifacts when he discovered armor that once belonged to one of these fearless knights. The find occurred in a field in the town of Mikułowice, in the Opatów district, Poland, with the armor items found at a depth of around 60 centimeters.
“The armor is incomplete, the main element of the corset is missing, consisting of a breastplate and a back plate, which served to protect the chest and back, as well as one of the armors. We unearthed the left breastplate, the two breastplates that protected the forearm, a semicircular helmet – that is, a helmet with two side shields – and the so-called collar that protected the neck and back of the head,” reported Dr. Marek Florek, from the branch of Sandomierz of the Department for the Conservation of Historical Monuments.
“Winged cavalry, as a type of cavalry, was in service in the Polish army from the 16th century until almost the end of the 18th century. Based on the shape of the helmet, we can assess with a reasonable degree of certainty that the armor dates from the first half of the 17th century. It is a little corroded, and only after conservation work will we be more certain about the date of its creation,” said the archaeologist.
He also noted that the lack of adornment, a typical feature of hussar armor, indicates that it was produced by local craftsmen to order from a wealthy nobleman.
Once restored, the armor will find its new home in the Sandomierz Castle Museum.
