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Infantry Units
Streletses (Russia)
| Strelets regiments constituted the base of Russian army before reforms of Tzar Peter I. One might say it was the first Russian regular
army. Strelets service was hereditary. Streletses were exempted from taxes, received a salary, and also could keep houses and carry on handicrafts. The
Strelets history begins in 1550, when shooters with pischals (a Russian sort of fuse musket) were organized in 6 states (later called boards or
regiments) 500 soldiers each. They were settled in Moscow, in Vorobyov sloboga (outskirts). The regiment officers comprised a head (colonel), a
half-head (major), sotniks (lieutenants) and uryadniks (sergeants). The Streletses strength was about 7,000 during the rule of John IV, while by the
crowning of Theodore Ivanovich (the John's son) in 1584 more than 20,000 soldiers were numbered among Streletses. These fighters were armed with heavy
fuse muskets or samopals (a Russian sort of flint musket), sabers, and pole-axes that they used also as a musket prop. The heads (officers) could be
armed with a saber and a partisan. Sometimes Streletses wore light chain mails. Their equipment comprised a fur-cap, a long outer caftan, a zipun (a
broadcloth camisole), porty (broad trousers), and gloves. A bright-colored outer caftan was belted with a sash. Streletses were abolished in 1711 in
Moscow, and since in 1716 in provinces too. |
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