Periodization Warfare in Medieval Poland

władysław elbow-high in composite armour of 14th century

in military history of poland in middle ages 1 has separate 3 different periods: early, transitional, , late, each demarcated reign of particular princes , kings. medieval period enclosed between times of mieszko , bolesław iii wrymouth, transitional period spanned times of fragmentation of state rule of władysław elbow-high, , late period casimir iii great through dynasties of angevins , jagiellons 1514.

there difficulties establishing time-frame of epoch, , territory of state, in earliest period, , in time of fragmentation of poland well. there no doubts beginning of medieval period of polish history – @ start of reign of mieszko i, , first historically annotated battles wichmann younger (967) veleti, , battle of cedynia in 972. more difficult establish end of era there no definite turning point in history of poland, parallel events such fall of constantinople (1453), discovery of america cristopher columbus (1492), or beginning of reformation (1517) in western , southern europe. historians agree, end of medieval age , beginning of renaissance in poland took place during rule of jagiellon dynasty, in waning period (times of sigismund old). more difficult establish single unique battle of period can considered final one.

in history of warfare in western europe end of medieval period strictly connected end of chivalry, ethos, , method of fighting. in poland, in other countries of eastern europe, knights (noblemen, polish szlachta) called war (pospolite ruszenie) until end of 18th century, or until end of (saxon times). in such circumstances criteria end of chivalry ethos - end of medieval times in poland - has rejected. rather, appropriate moment more time when heavy cavalry, full plate armour, replaced lighter formations husaria. painting, in collection of national museum in warsaw, known battle of orsza depicts common fighting formations of heavy, armoured cavalry, , light hussars. battle of orsha took place in fall of 1514. during battle of obertyn (1531) there light cavalry present on polish side. possible (but speculative) these 2 dates border points; last medieval battle (orsha) , first battle of modern times (obertyn).

polish medieval battles, fought (though not only) in territory of poland, distinguished by:

tactics (from end of 14th century) different of western europe - use of natural obstacles , manoeuvre;
spontaneity, impetuosity, , discontinuation of chivalric fighting code (knight against knight, henchman against henchman) for, instead, total war, polish knight adopted during frequent border conflicts in east, , wars teutonic knights,originally invited duchy of masovia taken steps against polish hosts, although had 1200 brethren in livonia , prussia in 15th century, able hire army of mercenaries form western europe strong enough endanger bigger duchy of lithuania , stronger kingdom of poland.

battles of middle ages in poland - not counting such battles battle of legnica, battle of grunwald, battle of varna or last battle of orsha - not large fights, , of them can called skirmishes rather battles. however, crimean tartars , turks simultaneously attacked polish-lithuanian frontier, @ 1 time reaching lublin. fight new enemy, light (or semi-light, husaria) cavalry became important element of polish army.