Red Box 114 1/72 16th c. Ukrainian Cossack Infantry Set 1

During the 15th century a new group of people began to appear in history, known in English as the Cossacks. They appeared out of the destruction of the Golden Horde and inhabited the western end of the steppe, between the neighbouring states of Poland/Lithuania, Muscovy, various khanates and the Ottoman Empire to the south, roughly where modern Ukraine sits today. They were not an ethnic, religious or geographic people, but rather a group of Tartars that wanted to live by their own rules rather than as part of some larger state, and these were soon joined by many from all the surrounding states and beyond. They hunted and raided, and were seen as wild but very capable fighters, made necessary by their difficult environment as well as raids for slaves from the Crimean khanate. Both Poland/Lithuania and Muscovy recruited many of them, known as ‘registered’ Cossacks, to help defend their borders, and Tsar Ivan IV made great use of such men when on campaign; the conquest of the khanate of Kazan in 1552 being the first significant such operation. Many Cossacks served other masters, or remained free and served no one (unless for money), and could be found in many parts of Eastern Europe at various times during the 16th century.

Specifications

• Contents: 28 figures
• Poses: 10 poses
• Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)