17th century

[Marshal Murat]

King Sigismund III Vasa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund_III_Vasa
Heir Wladyslaw IV Vasa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C5%82...5%82aw_IV_Vasa



Political/Military Climate
The current king, Sigismund III, is an interesting king. After a disputed election to the crown, he sought to rule both his lands in Sweden and Poland. However, this fell through, resulting in a series of wars between Poland and Sweden, the war currently in a lull. Poland also was interested in the civil wars of Muscovy, favoring Dimitriy II. In the south, the Polish forces raid the Crimean Tartars, while their vassal Cossacks raid the Black Sea ports. A peace with the Ottomans results in a split of Wallachia and Moldavia.

ARMY
THe amy of the Commonwealth or rather the Republic has quite unique structure and some unusual abilities and tactics.

Structure - first there were TWO armies - army of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy and the army of the Crown of Poland. Second was about two times bigger.
Both armies were commanded by two Hetman leaders - Grand Hetman and Field Hetman. Field Hetman was supposed to oversee smaller operations, but could comand larger forces. Grand Hetman was the highest commander unless the king himself was present still acted as very important advisor when it happened.

When both armies acted together the Grand Hetman of the Crown had the decisive opinion, if he was killed or captured Grand Hetman of Lithuania replaced him.

All four hetmans were nominated for life, acted as supreme judges in state of war for soldiers or civilians in the are where the war was fought.

THe army itself consisted of regular troops kept all the time in readiness - so called Quarter troops ( were maintained for the quarter of money from Royal property in the Republic) - they existed only in the Crown.
These were very small - about 3500 men, sometimes more or less and almost always were kept in Ukraine to defend the territory against constant Tatar raids.
During a war these men acted as veteran core for quickly rised larger regular army.

Next there are - supplement troops - rised to enlarge the cadre-like Quarter army - number of those soldiers was decided by the parliamnet ( Sejm) before every war or sometimes even campaign.
These forces could easily reach 25 000 men.

Royal Guard - kept at level of 1000-1200 men during the time of peace could be multiplied during war.
A sort of king's private army.

Ordinate force - certain rich noble families were allowed by Sejm to keep their lands under one rule of a senior noble in the sometimes very big clans.
In return they had to keep a number of soldiers for the defence of the state and support one fortress for the good of the country.
The force was around 1000-3000 men ( the larger number later from 1630s)

Private armies - it was allowed to keep soldiers in private armies if someone could afford that - it was generally believed these men would prevent the king from installing authoritarian rule and would fight for the defence of the state if required without the need to rise any taxes for them. Also it kept a number of experienced soldiers inside the country when there was no war happening.
These could reach in extreme cases even 8000-12 000 men ( Wisniowiecki family) and the soldiers themselves could be highly capable and trained force.
During a war the common practice was to give the soldiers (all or a part of them) under the command of the state which also meant they would be paid by the state treasury.
Probably all private armies of all magnates or clergy members were areoud 40 000 men at their maximum level.
Their quality varies so its availability - Ukraine is the easiest area to obtain them. Also it is a matter of political action to gain their support without a serious danger to the state - the soldiers can be used without Sejm's approval, but it is risky in longer terms policy.



District troops - that are forces rised as a sort of local militia - mostly second rate troops recruited in addition to the forces rised for the main army. However second rate doesn't mean weak - often these soldiers were quite, even highly experienced commanders led by olderly, yet fit and capable commanders. Areas under constant pressure like the Ukraine or eastern Lithuanian Grand Duchy had beter soldiers.

Town militias - larger towns were supposed to keep a kind of military police force which cold be used to even great effects in the defence of the city itself and/or sometimes even larger, but only local area. The biggest cities with larger militia units are Danzig, Thorn, Warsaw, Krakow, Lwow ( Lviv), Riga. Especially powerful is Danzig militia - capable and numerous reaching even 6000 men because Danzig is almost like citystate in its wide autonomy it could rise from its own treasury another 6000 men if the danger is really solid.

Wybraniecka infantry - peasant militia from Royal domains expected to fight for lack of feudal duties. It was around 2000 ment at that time and it was rather bad up to fairly good quality. The force was later used only for filed works like digging trenches or building other fortifications. It is quite numerous in Vistulas mouths - called Zulawy so might be better in local area.

Zaporozhian Cossacks - warlike and troublesome, yet very useful and cheap. A number of them is recruted in Registered cossack troops, the rest is only temporary paid and maintained.
It is under king's control who nominates cossack hetman to lead them - usually a respected member of their elders.
Potentially Cossack can mobilise even 60 000 men for the Republiks needs, but 40 000 is more reliable number. Especially useful against the Ottomans - the traditional enemies and quite a rich too which can add thousands of volunteers eager to plunder their coastal cities or a camp after a won battle. Even 80 000 or in extreme cases 100 000 can be mobilised, but this with a need to revise Cossack status. It was proposed to turn a part of them into nobles ( very eager, especially the elders) and the area into autonomic or even equal third part of the Commonwealth, but this would be possible after some notable achievements and very good propaganda with much local opposition from powerful magnates of Ukraine, still in longer terms it might be very useful.
Impossible under Zygmunt III ( Sigismund), but possible under Wladyslaw IV.

General Levy - the last resort in the defence. Every adult male of noble birth ( so from 1500 000 large largest world's nobility) is supposed to fight personally if required by the state. The maximium number is around 100 000 men in the whole state, but in reality it is maybe 60 000 men.
Some local areas are better suited for rising these soldiers - especially eastern Lithuania and Ukraine.
Generally bad quality force, but in great need and under much pressure and with some great leader they are capable of great deeds, especially in defence.

Now something about the types of the troops in the army.
Only a short summary.

Husaria - famous Winged Hussars - up to 10 000 men in most extreme cases and from all sources together.
For sure the best cavalry in the world, especially at that time. THe powerful mailed fist of the army, but agile and highly skilled in most complicated tactics. The highest elite of the army, but flexible - could fight even on foot if required or without armours, lances and wings as lighter, even shooting cavalry.
Were able to break through pikemen formations - as the only cavalry in the world.

Kozacy - lighter cavalry-supporting of the Husaria, less preferred at that time.

Reiters - two types - Cuirassiers from german speaking regions or abroad and local lighter cuirassiers - in reality Husaria without wings or lance using firearms so capable of caracol as well as shock tactics. Generally better equipped than in the West.

Lighter reiters - no armour etc like in the west, no differences.

Petyhorcy cavalry - unique for Lithuania - medium armoured, lance armed cavalry used as some sort of replacement for Husaria.

Tatars - Tatars lived also inside the Republic, some for many generations - especially in Lithuania. Very useful as scouts, to harass enemy or in pursuit.
Most of them served in Lithuanian army, but a number of them was also present in the royal guard - they considered the kings their 'white khans' - benefactors and rulers.

Economy
The Commonwealth raises grains and raw materials to export across Europe, providing food for thousands.

1648
A uprising occurs in the Ukraine, caused by Jewish purchase of lands and percieved religious persecution

Religion
The Commonwealth wasan exception to the religious intolerance of the era. Jewish communities in the cities, Catholics in the west, Russian orthodox in the east, and some pagans in the north.

cog, pm any thoughts
updating will occur!