13Th Century - Polish Sergeants (Strelzcy) On Foot With Polearms

This kit includes:

• 9 Polish Sergeants (Strelzcy) on foot (6 with polearms + command group of 3 composed of: Captain with sword, Standard-bearer with sword, Hornblower with sword/billhook)
• 1 Shield with eagle
• 1 Scabbard
• 1 Banner

- All models are supplied both Pre-Supported and Unsupported, in 28mm scale, in STLs and LYS files. - 

13th century - Polish Sergeants (Strelzcy) on foot with polearms

The 13th century in Polish history was a time of great political fragmentation and external threat, defined by the continuing effects of the “Division in the Provinces” that began in the 12th century: the assassination of Duke Leszek “the White” in 1227 marked the effective end of a central monarchical authority in Poland. As the realm remained divided among rival duchies, the lack of a strong central power created a vacuum that weakened the Polish state’s ability to defend itself and maintain cohesion. During this period, the influence of foreign powers grew steadily, especially through the increasing involvement of German settlers and institutions, as the introduction of German municipal law and urbanization reshaped much of Polish society, giving rise to fortified towns that became important centers of economic and military power.

One of the most significant developments of the 13th century was the arrival and rise of the Teutonic Order in the region: initially invited in 1226 by Duke Konrad of Mazovia to help defend against the pagan Prussians, the Teutonic Knights quickly expanded their power, absorbing the Polish-founded Brethren of Dobrzyn by 1235. These crusading orders contributed to the militarization of the Baltic frontier and were instrumental in shifting Poland's military focus northward. However, their presence would later pose a threat to Polish sovereignty. In addition to these crusading orders, Poland also faced existential threats from the east: the Mongol invasions of 1241, 1259–60, and 1287–88 devastated vast areas of the kingdom, and the first invasion culminated in the catastrophic Battle of Liegnitz, where Duke Henry II the Pious was killed. Although subsequent invasions were less decisive militarily, they inflicted widespread destruction and underscored the vulnerabilities of a divided realm.

In military terms, the 13th century saw the gradual replacement of older tribal and household structures with a more formal feudal system of military service. The once-dominant druzhina, a prince’s retinue of household warriors, faded into obscurity, replaced by a landed knightly class who owed military service in return for fiefs under the emerging ius militareor, or knightly law. These knights, equipped at their own expense, formed the core of the cavalry and were organized into territorial or family-based banners, each comprising smaller units known as lances. A lance typically included a fully armed knight and two retainers—often mounted crossbowmen. This structure paralleled military practices in neighboring German and Central European states. Meanwhile, infantry support was drawn from townsfolk and serfs, who provided local militias, manned fortifications, or accompanied armies in support roles. Although their main responsibility was the defense of their communities, these urban militias also contributed materially to the army by supplying craftsmen, wagons, and in some cases, participating in siege warfare. Technological and tactical innovations during this period also reflected broader European trends: replacing earlier lamellar armor, mail became the primary form of defence, though early examples of semi-rigid torso protection such as coats-of-plates began to appear. Helmets evolved notably, as the older conical helmets became smaller and narrower in the western style, a trend of adopting western customs culminating with the adoption of the western “great helm,” first evidenced in Poland through the seal of Duke Casimir I of Kuyavia around 1236. Swords of the period—primarily Oakeshott types XI through XIIIa—indicate a move toward weapons suited for both cutting and thrusting, reflecting the needs of cavalry warfare. The crossbow also came into greater prominence, particularly from the mid-13th century onward. This weapon was adopted not only by town militias but also incorporated into the household troops of regional lords, as evidenced by Duke Bolko I of Schweidnitz, who employed crossbowmen by 1286.

Some visual and written evidence suggests that Polish infantry began using a broad range of polearms towards the second half of the 13th century. These weapons were likely adopted through contact with German mercenaries and neighboring Central European military cultures, where the development of such arms was more advanced. It’s also plausible that certain types of axes and maces served dual roles, functioning as both sidearms and polearms when mounted.