The Streltsy: Russias First Standing Forces, 1550 - 1705: Russias First

The Russian streltsy had a short, interesting, and later troubled history. Known as Orthodox 'old believers' that resented and refused western traditions, they were Russia's first permanent standing infantry with firearms - and this shows in their name, which roughly translates from the Russian word for 'shooter.' Created by Ivan the Terrible, this armed force was never disbanded, even in times of peace. Soldiers served for life, and they were nicknamed as 'stirrup' troops because they were usually always near the tsar's own stirrups. Often wielding both a musket and a poleaxe, they were a destructive force in Russia's army in the 16th and 17th centuries - fighting often behind a 'walking city' of wooden frames against forces such as the Tartars. However, their staunch believe in rejecting western ideology caused them to alienate themselves from Peter the Great, slaughtering his mother's family and dubbing him the Anti-Christ, ultimately leading to a failed rebellion and their complete dissolution from the Russian Army by 1720. The author of this book dives into the history of the streltsy, their outfits, and their weaponry; he presents images of what remains of streltsy flags; as well as showcases both flat and 3D miniatures of the streltsy in wargaming. Fifty pages of color plates and illustrations.