Infantry

Contrary to the general view, quite a few official records survive concerning Commonwealth infantry. In general, information concentrates on organizational details, but goes into descriptions of uniforms for ‘Select’ infantry from 1581 to 1630. Certainly this is a very important and fundamental, but inconclusive, link in chain of evidence for the evolution of infantry uniforms.

The first Commonwealth King, Stefan Batory, played a key role organizing infantry, issuing orders regarding establishment of ‘Select’ infantry on July 10, 1578 (‘Select’ infantry were not elite troops as the name implies to modern ears, but rather conscripts from estates owned by the Crown). These were to report ‘in coats of colors and details similar to that of other infantry’^xxix. This detail is of great importance, because two things are established 1 ) that select infantry was in 1578 not the first infantry in the Commonwealth with uniform colors " , and 2 ) that general “uniform colors” i.e. the usual uniform of Polish infantry was the same as that of the Select infantry, i.e. – blue, or light-blue.

There are two premises for our conclusion that the uniform established by Zygmunt Augustus for infantry in 1557 was blue.

Łukasz Działyński, Starost (Sherrif) of Kowalski and Brodnicki, wrote in this diary in 1580 on the 27^th of August^xxx “I have sent .... One detachment of all black hajduks, three banners and the pennants went all together. I sent a second detachment of blue hajduks, two pennants together "

Thus we are informed of the existence of both blue uniformed and black uniformed hajduk units.

Weyher’s Black hajduks, the yellows of the Marshall of the Crown, and others in light blue are mentioned in a description of a skirmish near Gdansk in 1577.^xxxi Sometimes black clothes were worn on special occasions for mourning, in cavalry as well as among the hajduks. Heidenstein writes: In bello W. Lucensis Samoscius ex duplici luetu habet peditum atratas cohortes.” The commander of one of such units was Łukasz Syrny^xxxii.

A mention about providing ‘select’ infantry with uniforms from this time concerns the company (rota) raised by Captain (rotmistrz) Krzysztof Gojski. The register notes, that ‘the rota mustered in blue uniform, 120 men, with a pennant... “of black kathy silk (a lightwieght satin) with white stripes.^xxxiii Myśliborski’s Rota of Opoczyński was also in blue uniform, but with a red pennon with white stripes, also of kathy cloth, with the coat of arms of the king^xxxiv. Łukasza Serneg’s Rota from Crakow province bore uniform colors of blue also, but with white pętlicami (passamentre button-lace), and carried a white pennon with the coat of arms of the king³¹. Gerlach makes the interesting observation that uniforms were characteristic of these conscripted ‘select’ infantry units, and that cases where uniforms were absent are completely exceptional for the reign of king Stefan. Also, according to Starowolski, in the procession of King Zygmunt III (on reception of papal representative Henry Gaetano in 1595) — there was a “banner of 300 infantry soldiers, called hajduks (Poles and Hungarians), in blue uniforms, with red hats, bearing halberds with sabers, others with matchlock arquebuses and double-edged berdish axes, they went under the banner ‘kings advance in the vanguard"^xxxv. Cardinal Radziwiłła’s Hajducs were dressed in Crimson and Garnet (a dark red color with a purple note), one unit of arquebusers, the other of halberd men. ^xxxvi

The third known mention about uniforms provided to infantry pertains to the final part of the 16th C. Captain (rotmistrz) Łukasz Załęski in 1630 wrote of an order for obligatory uniforms by King Stefan Batory in July 10 1578 as follows:^xxxvii “uniforms of the usual fashion, gray with red button-tabs for the soldiers; red delias, and white żupans for the sergeants. Lining for the soldiers in red, same for the delas and żupans; for the sergeants red delias, green lining”.

Various sources of records help us define the use of Infantry uniform colors. A letter sent by Vladislaw IV to Stefan Mamonicz in 1655 pertaining to the mustering of ‘select’ infantry, states that each man was sent first without uniform and musket, but with ax and spade^xxxviii. Another contemporary letter³⁶ tells of Wilczkowi, a royal Captain, on the mustering of ‘select’ infantry from royal estates in Podlasia province, who ordered that the men report without muskets and without uniforms. However, each had to bring spade, hoe and ax. The above-mentioned letters show, that it might happen that men might be assigned to various functions other than fighting. Sapper work played an important role in the 1633 campaign at Smoleńsk. Part of the supply of ‘Select’ infantry were allocated to this task. It is characteristic, that the conscripts called to this work were not equipped with uniforms and muskets. It is possible to conclude, that blue uniforms were normal among the musketry units, but that sapper or labor teams were organized without uniforms. And a question comes to mind here, if from 1580 sometimes the “black hajduks” of Łukasz Działyński, did not have similar functional allocations.

However, not all ‘Select’ infantry were cast in the same mold. Hetman Koniecpolski in 1640 issued a general order, calling Starost (sheriff) and Captain Jan Sokołowski in the Rus province to raise ‘Select’ infantry, in response to the invasion of the Tatars in the Ukraine. This time they reported in uniforms and with weapons.^xxxix

Better sources for the second half of the 17^th C. include iconographic materials concerning Commonwealth infantry. The water-colors of K. W. Kielisiński, show infantry from the time of Władysłav IV^xl. These water-colors are copies from images which were preserved in a castle in Podchorcach. These take us up to 1685 when the Sejm constitution ordered that ‘Select’ infantry raised from royal estates must be equipped with muskets and proper uniforms^xli

Uniforms for a unit of ‘Select’ infantry are described in a 1630 letter by Captain Łukasz Załęski. Uniforms for private soldiers consisted of dark blue żupans, with crimson trousers. The hat was a ‘magierka’, a felt cap of Hungarian style. A saber hung from the left, in the hand was a musket. A bag hung on the right for cartridges. The uniform for the sergeant was red, with a white żupan beneath, and in his hand a staff of office. The same white żupan, trousers and covers worn on other kopia-lances from the same set.^xlii The hat of the “Władysławowski” style has a feather in it, and on his flank a saber and cartridge bag, his left hand rests on a ‘nadziak’ war hammer, on his right shoulder a musket. Although he lacks his ‘dardy’ staff of office, it is clear from the color of żupan and feather in hat, that he is an noncommissioned officer. Gerlach writes that ‘Select’ muster rolls exist from the times of Batory “that some sergeants were armed just so, equipped as ordinary infantry men and did not have special marks of office.^xliii This could indicate a certain disparity of function of noncommissioned officers in different units.

New Infantry formations were authorized in 1634 through a conscription based on a villiage’s chimney count. Provinces (Voiavodships) had the duty to arm the men and provide “uniforms”. According to Gerlach^xliv, these uniforms were to be blue. In this case it was infantry conscription by ‘chimney‘ rather than by ‘furrow’, but both kinds of conscriptions supplied recruits from royal estates and towns. The recruits were encouraged to fulfill their obligations: “Men were loaded into wagons heading for the induction camps, by him and some of his uniformed henchmen, who carried muskets and other ‘persuaders’”.^xlv Solec the Governor (Voiavode) of Sandomier in 1653 had to supply pairs of horses and wagons and hajduks in uniforms with muskets, sabers, powder and shot. ^xlvi

An order issued by Jan Kazimier in March 31, 1655 regarding mobilization of ‘furrow’ infantry, was ratified by a Noble's regional council resolution. Some proceedings were recorded by scholars. Among others actions, it was resolved in a resolution of the regional council assembled at Haliczu on April 22, 1655, that each musketeer should muster in a uniform of blue, lined in white kirem, outer clothing sewn in the foreign fashion, supplied with matchlock muskets. Spade, hoe, axe, submontane and saber.^xlvii According to an order from the regional council at Wiszni in April 28, 1655, infantry should be dressed in blue żupans and red overcoats (katanki), but should own heavy sheepskin coats too. ^xlviii

Resolution of regional council of Opatowie (Sandomier) decided on April 28, 1655, that peasants have to present as regular troops and so, to maintain “uniformity through clothing, equipment, weapons and other requisites. They shall be provided with a uniform consisting of a blue żupan of a length reaching mid-shin; a red overcoat, lined with white kirem, with blue trim/buttons/etc.; red trousers; brimmed hat in the German fashion and also, according to German exemplar, shoes. The gentry can equip their people according to personal desire in blue delias, and equipped with saber, hatchet, matchlock musket, and bandolier or other powder source”. ^xlix

1The Warsaw Sejm established in 1655 ^l, that secular citizens and ecclesiastical had to set out 1 soldier for every 15 furrows, armed with matchlock musket, saber and hatchet. About uniforms, they were to vote.

Townsmen and Jewish townships were obliged in this year to send infantry in blue żupans, red delias, with matchlock muskets and spades. ^li

The Regional Council from Sieradz, April 20 1655, voted that infantry had to be dressed with white (from uncolored wool) żupans of the Bekieskdi (south west mountainous region) fashion, reaching mid shin, overcoats (katans), trousers and red hats, two pairs of shoes.^lii

It's known that many such declarations were not brought to fruition, whether because the end of the muster, or by a more fundamental reason, i.e. they were sent to defend the borders against Swedish attack. Perhaps, however, here and there they came to good result, so, for example a muster of ‘furrow’ soldiers proceeded to Sanok^liii. Perhaps uniformed ‘furrow‘ infantry from Great Poland made it in time, which as all other province (according to the words of the Constitution of the Warsaw Sejm of 1655), were to supply infantry ”well supplied with muskets and other good arms. So, with the end of May and in first days of June, the Captains selected by the regional councils mustered the infantry from Great Poland's administrative districts. However, it isn't known if these units were in uniform.

During the ‘deluge’ by Swedish, Brandenburg and Transylvania armies, which overran all Polish lands in 1655 -1656, nothing was said about such luxuries as uniforms. If a soldier had a weapon, he could fight.

Jan Kazimier’s proclamation of March 15, 1658 to the nobles of Zator led to the local council’s voting for the establishment of ‘furrow’ infantry in uniform with sabers and matchlock muskets. This was not in fact carried out, but tax funds were raised for the same end. However, this episode does prove that uniforms were possible in this time and that the duty of mustering uniformed troops was thought by the regional council to be completely normal. ^liv

At about this same time, April 11 1658, the regional council of Sandomier province voted to outfit ‘furrow’ soldiers in blue uniforms, lined in scarlet, with a foreign (western) style hat, equipped with musket, saber, hatchet, and powder flasks^lv. From the 1660s on, towns were obliged to send hajduks with uniforms (or similar-colored clothing) with the usual gear and weapons (“barwianych and “orężem zwyczajnym ). These towns (and years for which we have documentation) include: Chęciny in Sandomier 1660. Połaniec 1663, Częstochowa and Crakow 1664, and Kent 1660^lvi.

The next evidence concerning uniforms for ‘furrow’ infantry dates from 1680-1683. These are in German of unknown author,^lvii dated 1680 and 1683.

The first is titled: Stabstrompheter Polish Furrow-Army 1680AD” showing a trumpeter dressed^lviii in a żupan and delia in dark blue. The braid of the delia is fringed short and we can see the sleeve or cuffs of the żupan - of burgundy color. The hat is fur lined. The saber is in a black sheath with iron fittings.

The Second inscription: ‘Feldweybel Furrow Regiment A.D. 1680, presents a non-commissioned officer. With light-crimson Delia, black braid, and short sleeves. Color of the zupan’s sleeve is not mentioned in the description. Under the hat of the same color is also visible the fur collar of the delia. The right hand rests on a non-commissioned officer’s cane. Saber in sheath of brown leather with iron fittings. Across the breast is the Black belt of a fur bag, on which hangs powder-charges.

A third water-color, titled “Polish Furrow Regiment A.D. 1680 presents a formation in light-burgundy żupan with hats of white sheep fur; leaning on muskets and musket rests. A belt across the breast supports a fur bag with ready loads.

The fourth water-color bears the inscription “Furrow Regiment von Pommern AD. 1682. Fancy braid highlights a light blue żupan with a spread out collar, scarlet sleeves bunched with a cord, and with scarlet facing. The hat is blue with gray ram’s fur trim. Across the breast is slung a white leather strap for bag from calfskin, with black and white patches. Suspended from the strap are ready loads in chargers. In the right hand a musket, in the left a musket rest, on the left in a leather scabbard is a straight hanger (sword), with fittings of brown brass.

The fifth is titled “Polish Furrow Infantry AD 1682". Here is a labor or sapper unit working without weapons or uniforms. They are dressed in ordinary peasant apparel - gray smock with white collar (perhaps from a shirt?) and a straw hat. Across the breast are 2 green leather belts together, one likely for an unseen bag. A Carpenters' hatchet hangs from one belt, in the right hand is an average length berdish axe.

The sixth drawing, executed in pen, is not colored. The Inscription reads: “Pickenier or Pikeman of Polish Furrrow Infantry A.D. 1683. This presents a braid-trimmed żupan and a delia with short sleeves. A collar spreads out from the delia, the ends of sleeves are edged with braid, which also is used to for buttons on the breasts. Wide belt in leather, buckled; saber at flank, in hand a pike.

The seventh water-color titled “Polish Pikeman AD1683" shows a pikeman with dark green zupan and light golden-yellow delia with white lining. A wide green collar spreads out, and green braid finishes short sleeves, tied with a soft green cord. The Yellow hat is lined with black fur. Across the breast is a leather belt fastened with a buckle, from it hangs a bag of white sheep fur. An Axe is in the right hand, a pike in the left.

The eighth Water-color is titled “Polish Furrow Regiment A.D. 1683". It shows a musketeer with a golden yellow zupan (we see the sleeves only) and a blue delia with short sleeves, finished with black piping. Yellow button braid on the breast, matching the color of the żupan. Hat in blue lined with black sheepskin, with a split on the right side. A brown leather belt crosses the breast, supporting a brown bag. The belt is soft Yellow, like the żupan. In the left hand is a musket, in the right a berdish axe of average height with a wood staff. It may be that Jan III introduced the berdish axe (which can be used offensively as well as a musket rest) to replace the ‘fork’ style musket rest.

The ninth Water-color is titled “Trumpeter of Furrow Regiment with Hat, 1683 AD.^lix This trumpeter is wearing an outfit of Western European fashion. In crimson with a collar spread out, facing of the sleeve in yellow. The yellow hat is lined with black sheepskin. Grey waistcoat. Across the breast is a white belt with buckle. The main belt holds the saber (or hanger, only the top of the guard is visible) with a wide head. The ‘Leliwa’ Coat of Arms decorates the trumpet’s pennant.

A final drawing and inscription is “Forketnik Lithuan. 1683 Łanowi”. (Luthuanian ‘forkman’ (bombadieer) of the furrow-infantry, 1683). His clothes are completely different from the former. With short light-green katan (coat) with short sleeve to the elbows. All borders are edged with piping. The sleeves showing from beneath are russet (‘dirty red’). Fur hat, with a long sock hanging almost to the shoulder. The leather belt is very wide and attached with two buckles. Long dark gray trousers. On the feet are slip-on leather shoes, fastened by a leather strip wound several times around the whole height of the calf. In his right hand is a ‘fork’ (forkiet or soszka), with one end forked with one tine extended as a bayonet, the other short. Under the head of the fork slow-match is wound around the wood shaft, almost for half its length, one end of the match fits into a sharp hook at the lower part of the fork. From the back projects an axe blade. This is not a weapon (berdish axe serving as fork), such as might be borne by a musketeer, but rather it is an artillery slow-match linstock, that can serve in case of need for personal defense. A Hatchet is carried in the belt, that could be of general subsidiary service to an artillery unit’s function. Clothes with the colors associated with artillery known in use at the start of the 18th C. have already been mentioned.

I believe that colors of uniforms coincide with or hint of the heraldic colors of provinces in some cases. From the point of view of the territorial character of enlistment, this possibility has intriguing and even compelling logic^lx. However, it must be understood that this was not a systematic practice. For example, considering the collected research of the colors used by infantry weather ‘select, furrow, and chimney’ shows that blue is the “uniform” of Commonwealth infantry. Anyway, it can not surprise us after familiarization with the first orders issued in 1578 by Batory concerning ‘select’ infantry, that this uniform use spread to the rest of the infantry.

Reviewing provincial colors according to Paprocki and Niesiecki finds a strong dominance of red: 14 of 23 provinces or regions. Blue shows up 6 times, and white 6 times also.^lxi

Blue dominates in infantry of varying tint - lighter or darker. Provincial colors can be (though they might not be) applied to pennants, collars, facings, piping, braid, ribbons and ties. These are contrasted with the straps for leather cartridge bags and leather belts, which are white, black or natural.

We can examine uniform practices in turn, to determine if our assumptions are valid.

Górski’s company (rota) in 1581, in blue uniform, carried a banner with black and white stripes. In this rota, according to muster records, ‘Select’ infantry were recruited from provinces Bełzk, Lubelsk and Chełmsk^lxii. Colors black and white could apply to Halick, that is impossible in consideration of territory. Probably, fields of coats of arms would not be a source for these striped colors. Considering devices, we find a white griffen for Bełzk; Blue, Black, Green for Lubelsk; the white bear of Chełmsk. But we find no certain answer here.

Myśliborski’s Rota from this year dressed on blue also, and had a pennon with red and white stripes. This rota was recruited from Sandomier. These colors are exactly those of the armorial of this province.

Łukasza Sernego’s Rota enlisted men from Cracow province, Cracowians, as well as Górali highlanders. There uniform was blue with white pętlicami button lace, and white pennons, on which the royal coat of arms was visible (wolf teeth). Cracow province has other colors in its armorial (white and red), but the uniforms were blue with white for both Cracowians and highlanders.

Captain Łukasz Załęski in 1630 ordered uniforms in plain grey with red, green and white trim. Such colors are typical of Lubelsk province and Chełmsk. And here, if ours is not and erroneous supposition, we would find that his men came from that region.

In spring 1655 the Lauda regional council established the following uniform colors for ‘Select’ infantry.^lxiii For Halicz “uniforms of blue, lined with white kirem. This agrees with the armorial colors of this district completely. It is possible to assume also that the cords were black, according to the color of the device.

Sądowej Wiszni (Rus land) voted blue uniforms with red overcoats. The armorial colors of the Rus province are blue with gold, or yellow, so, they do not match the infantry uniforms. The resolution distinctly mentions only these lands: Lvow, Przemyską and Sanocką.

The Opatowie Regional council (Sandomier) voted the same colors, which agree with armorial colors of Sandomier province. It is possible to assume, that white cords/belts were borne by these furrow soldiers. Such is the third complementary color of Sandomier.

The Przemysk Regional Council voted red (for trim) for its furrow soldiers, to complement the uniform blue. This was the final resolution in Wiszni.

Sieradzk regional council voted uniforms for ‘select’ infantry in white with red trim. This is striking, because these were proper armorial colors for łęczyck province. We lack the particularities. If these outfits contained a yellow element, e.g. button lace or other trim, then in general they could represent both of these provinces. This is the first case which does not conform to the general principle that infantry “uniforms are blue.

After the “deluge” the Seijm once again ordered “uniforms” for furrow infantry. The Opatow Seijmik^lxiv (Regional council) in 1658 voted for ordinary uniforms, blue with red lining. The uniform colors of Sandomier province are known from 1655 already , with its color and coat of arms consistent. And it is possible to assume once again, that strips/belts of soldiers could be white.

Examples of clothes of furrow infantry from 1680 — 1683, published by A. Bruchalski and narrated by J. Bendę^lxv, represents the farthest reach of material for our research.

The “Uniform” of a trumpeter of furrow-army regiments in 1680 matches Prince Oświęcimski’s armorial colors (blue and red) with this important reservation that we can not be too scrupulous, that for tint of red color, which in heraldry would be rather crimson, was on this water-color supposedly ‘Burgundy”. We cannot be too certain here either of the contemporary author of the original (a German), or the copies.

A non-Commissioned officer of furrow-infantry in 1680 wore “uniform of the Rawsk region. This is the second case known which trespasses against the custom of blue uniforms.

A Musketeer dressed in burgundy color’, with button braid of green, with a hat with white sheepskin lining; this shows the colors of Chełmsk and Lubelsk provinces. (I would disagree with Jan Bendy’s conclusions.)

Now the “uniforms” of Pomeranian regiments of musketeers. I would make a case here differently than the author of the “Commentary”. Blue, as we know, was in general the uniform colors for Commonwealth infantry. But in the Pomeranian provinces the usual color was red with white accents including the collar and cuffs, and red belt/sash with white bandolier. This fact has dared for triple expressed assumptions in former cases for color of belts that exactly, that the uniforms of furrow infantry could bear uniform colors unique to their province.

The next beardish figure from 1682 is perhaps 100 years later from the “Select” Infantry called-up without uniforms and muskets, and the “black hajduks”.

It is hard to reconcile this. It suggests, that Kujawsk province can establish “uniforms” using their own armorial colors of yellow, black and white. The white bag (that is rather exceptional) and the color of the visible lining, white also, the third color of Kujawsk province. The Prussian Principality used the colors yellow and black, but without white. It employed green abundantly so, only one time among provincial uniform colors on the armorial of Chełmsk. However, it would not be translated juxtaposition such here absolutely. It seems that either this array of colors was voted by the regional council by the reason of closer importantly unknown, or possibly it has been erroneously read in by the original watercolorist as a black żupan, it can be reddish, or greenish, in poor field conditions, or the color was perhaps not exactly noted by the author, or was apprehended poorly by the person doing the copying.

The next ‘furrow’-army musketeer, instead of holding berdish axe (‘forkiet’ - pole axe doubling as musket rest or fork), we can assume that it concerns infantry from Duchy of Prussia. Blue uniform colors generally apply, here complemented with yellow and black, proper for a Prussian per the armorial colors.

The trumpeter with the Leliwa coat of arms on the pennant of the trumpet certainly can be taken this way, per Jan Benda. It can be read with confidence, as Sądeckie regional uniform colors could be taken into account also here.

Lejbkompania in 1689 had blue uniforms with red facing and matching brimmed hats. Unteroficerowie (non-coms) had red outfits (blouse and trousers) or lining a red żupan^lxvi. It is clear that last, from period before introduction of Saxon uniform concerning uniform of Polish infantry, they date from the beginning of the 18^th C. In 1703 Polish Infantry bore blue żupans with facings in different colors. Infantry wore brimmed hats and fur kołpak hats.^lxvii

It is interesting that clothes of infantry of Elblang town betrays subordination in this period to the general application of uniform colors, as with Polish infantry, though in the German fashion already. Yet in the 18^th C they still wore blue uniforms with facing, sleeve half black, colors of the device of the Pomorsk region.^lxviii These traditional clothes lasted through the first decades of the 18^th C.

In order to cover clothes of infantry of the 16th-17th C. we must not neglect cossack infantry established by King Stefan Batory. Unfortunately we have no knowledge concerning uniform colors for the clothes of these soldiers. We know only that infantry must have had uniform colors, because it's known that they received as part of their pay cloth for clothes. And it was not any old cloth, but fine London wool (łuńskie).

Records from 1679^lxix ascertains that they obtained in 1578 „panni lundiniensis cuilibet per ar s. [inos] litu. [anienses] 4 .

Other records from 1588^lxx confirm this ‘In 1583, 600 infantry (low cossacks) were issued London cloth (fine quality worsted)... for each 4 light linen of a type called ‘arszyny’ , which makes Polish bolts 5 ( = 2,60 ora ).

Hungarian infantry received cloth as materials for uniforms from 1576 (unfortunately, accounts are published without detailed lists^lxxi.

In relation to the visit of Mary Gonzagi to Poland in 1645, de Guebriant gave information concerning the magnates’ infantry and dragoon units.

Weyher has sent out three hundred dragoons dressed in blue with a hundred pikemen and the rest musketeers^lxxii.

The Guard of Duke Charles was a formation that ...consisted of three hundred hajduks dressed in light blue^lxxiii.

Two hundred most impressive hajduks and dragoons dressed in red have passed. These are the guard of Prince Stanisława Radziwiłła, Chancellor of Lithuania.

Unfortunately, there are no details^lxxiv about the appearance of these clothes.

After analyzing available data about uniform for infantry, however, we can ascertain, that in principle Commonwealth infantry “uniforms”, though sparsely used in practice, existed to a definite extent from the second half of the 16^th C and the whole 17^th C.

In General, blue was the regular uniform colors of infantry, as had been established by Batory as early as the 1560s for ‘Select’ infantry, as well as ‘Furrow’ and with exceptions ‘Chimney’ infantry in the 17^th C. it was not obligatory strictly speaking, but normal, likely aided by the fact that blue was just about the least expensive dyed cloth^lxxv. The same can be said about cloth that is not colored, so called white.

In this respect there is an interesting find of berdish axes (with parts of broken staffs) from Commonwealth infantry in the 2^nd half of the 17^th C. These were excavated at Podhorcach near Złoczowem; number 696, Muzeum Wojska Polskiego. Remnants of twisted cords of blue wool survive, presently discolored and stained.

Considering Radziwiłł unit uniform colors of infantry and dragoons in 1645, it is possible to assume, that Radziwiłł, especially as a prince of the holy roman empire, could adhere to western European styles and perhaps, this body of men was dressed in a western European cut also.

From this year (1645) Weyhera’s Dragoons as horse infantry wore (blue) uniforms also.