U boku króla. Chorągiew nadworna królów Polski u schyłku XV wieku
With the King. The Polish court banner in the end of 15th century

Summary/Abstract: The court banner was composed of courtiers, called horse courtiers (curienses). Court banner was an elite formation, a private military unit of the king. According to the register written in the last years of the 15th century, after the Moldavian expedition, 60 riders were standing in the ranks of the banner, standing at the head of their retinues, the majority of which ranged from 4 to 6 riders. In total, 288 riders were recorded in the register (saved with the first hand). More than half of the riders were riders at light horses (equi sagittarii) with light armor and a crossbow. About 13% of them were lancers at heavy horses (equi hastarii). In addition, various types of horses have been registered in the register, such as: lancers horses, Tatars horses, etc. Courtiers from the court banner were nobles. Service on the court was for them the possibility of further career. The register also included courtiers (cubicularii). They served at the royal court and the court banner, along with their retinues.

• Details
• Contents