Spahis

Spahi simply means a soldier, but in this case a heavy cavalryman. The Sultans had basically two types of Spahi — the paid regulars of the Household Cavalry (‘Spahis of the Porte’) and a larger but less well-trained body of feudal cavalry.

The Household Cavalry formed six regiments, divided into squadrons of 20 men each. The four oldest were known as ‘Boluks’ and consisted of two regiments of Olufeci (or paid men) and two of Gureba (strangers). The latter were the only regulars not recruited by the ‘devschirme’, but as their name indicates they were non-

A Tartar, circa 1630 (Roman Olejniczak).

Turkish, being recruited from Moslems from outside the Empire. In the early 16th Century these four regiments were all 500 strong.

The new, larger and more honoured regiments were the Spahis, who formed on the Sultan’s right in line of battle (3,500 strong in the early 16th Century) and the Silhidars (‘swordbearers’) who formed on his left (2,500).

Under Suleiman the Magnificent the total of the Household Cavalry was increased to about 12,000, and according to some sources they were accompanied by armed and mounted slaves who could bring the whole number as high as 30,000.

The slaves maintained were in proportion to pay; a Spahi was supposed to keep five or six, a Silhidar four or five, the Olufecis two or three each, the Gureba none.

The ‘feudal’ Spahis held estates on a non-hereditary basis in return for military service. Those with the smallest estates — ‘Timariots’ — had to report for service with horse, armour and arms, those with bigger holdings had to bring a retinue of up to 18 ‘Jebeli’ (mounted men-at-arms) with them.

A Solak of the Sultan’s Guard, 1580s. Dress probably white, gold helmet and sash, b Turkish 15th Century arquebusier. Turban white, cap green, shirt green and white stripes, coat and slippers red, trousers green. He has a sash round his waist with a sort of leather stomach protector in it, visible behind the powder horn, c Turkish artilleryman, based on a print of the siege of Malta. He might be Europeanised, but caps with five turned-up points similar to this were worn by some palace functionaries, and as the Topdjis were part of the Household, they may have worn this uniform. Inset are two

Alternative cap styles shown in the same print, d A ‘Peyk’. Normally both corners of his coat would be tucked up into his sash as shown. He carries an elaborate axe, wears a gilt helmet and has gilt balls on his sash, e Turkish light horseman of the 1630s. White turban round red cap. Sleeves and upper coat green, lower coat red, shield gilt. Colours would vary widely. A sort of waistcoat contrasting with the sleeves could also be worn, and this type could carry a light lance as an alternative to the bow shown. Boots yellow or red. 1 Guard cavalryman, probably a member of the Muteferrika or Mulazims. Plumes white and black. Cap top white, bottom gold. Outer coat scarlet or purple. Inner coat purple, light blue or black with gold frogging. Sash red with gold decoration. Trousers purple or light blue. Shoes black. Scabbard black or gold. Stirrups gold, saddle cloth black or purple and gold, harness red with gilt fittings, g Spahi, wearing lobster-type helmet and with coat over mail. Shield would normally be carried on the left arm but is shown reversed here to illustrate other items of equipment.

The Aga of the Janissaries (from Nicolay, Peregrinations Faites en Turqie, 1577).

Janissary officer (from Nicolay, Peregrinations Faites en Turqie, 1577).

Akinjis

Feudai Spahis of Europe

Weapons for all these cavalry comprised a light lance, usually painted green, with a pennon, a composite bow carried in a case on the left and a quiver of brightly painted arrows on the right — both cases. were highly decorated. When the bow was in use, the lance was held between the rider’s thigh and the saddle, point to the rear. A jewelled scimitar was also carried with often a two-foot javelin or ‘gerit’ and a short steel mace. A straight armour-piercing sword could also be used.

In contrast to the Turkish infantry, the cavalry considered firearms very dirty and dishonourable and virtually refused to carry them until the late 17th Century. A shield was strapped to the left arm. Like most Eastern cavalry shields this would be round and up to about 30 inches in diameter; in the early 16th Century it could be formed of cane rings bound with gold or coloured thread around a large steel boss, later it would probably be all-steel, often painted or engraved.

Armour was usually worn in battle, and the typical styles are illustrated. It was normally reinforced mail, and horses could also be protected, especially in the earlier part of the period, laminated, mail and leather armour all being used, with plate for the face. Cloth trappings might cover horse armour.

The dress of the Spahis was rich in the extreme. Contemporaries mention cloth of gold and silver, as well as scarlet, violet, dark blue and green, with gold embroidery, for the Spahis of the Porte; jackets or caftans worn over armour often had hussar-style lace on the front, a typical Turkish decoration; trousers were baggy, boots normally yellow. When turbans were worn they were always white, with a red or purple central cap and black feathers. Cloaks were often worn and were green and yellow for one 17th Century Household unit. Some accounts seem to imply the wearing of uniform colours by the Household units, but this would certainly not be the case with the feudal cavalry. Like the lighter Turkish cavalry the latter probably favoured green or blue caftans. Turks also wore white, yellow, violet and mouse-colour, but black was avoided and purple considered unlucky in battle. Horse trappings were extremely ornate, with silver fittings, jewellery, and very large, fringed saddle-cloths.

The Turkish ‘heavy’ cavalry would not usually stand against the heavier European Gendarmes and pistoliers, but would either rely on a screen of light cavalry to break up the European’s order, or use their mobility and archery against such lumbering adversaries.