Polish Janissary

 

SobieskiesJanisaries1683.gif (129106 bytes)Polish Janissaries of King Jan III Sobieski, 1683.  The first company was made up out of captives who volunteered to switch sides.  The second company deserted the Sultan and switched sides voluntarily in the 1670s, officers, men and pay-chest included.

Private magnates often retained a Janissary unit as personal troops and bodyguards. These were of course generally local guys - they were just dressed as Janissaries.

PolishJanissaryOfficer1770.jpg (281701 bytes)

PolishJanissary1770.jpg (171276 bytes) 1710 Polish Janissary

Polish Janissary hat, 18th C.

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