Understandin Hungary's Past. Magyar and Khazar. Site for History of Central Europe; Tatar and Hussar.

 The Unknown Hungary, for many of us in the West

Our visit was brief. We need to go back to find out more.  Think Austro-Hungarian Empire. Who ad what is Hungary, apart from other empires. The nation is located at such a crossroads of invaders and trade, that much is unclear.  If you are a tourist, you just listen to the guide, perhaps. For free-lancers, issues and connections just beg to be explored.

1. History. Hungary and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. See The History of Central Europe, at //mysite.du.edu/~etuttle/misc/europe.htm#Mong. For Hungarian history, see ://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/thou/.

2. Tatars. In particular, read of the Mongol invasion of 1241- Mongols were also known as the Tatars. We learn that the Magyars, the Hungarians, learned then that they had to fortify. Apparently the famous Hussars, Hungarian light cavalry, were Polish, but were hired at that time by the Hungarians. When did the Hungarians then develop their own Hussars?

3. Hussars. Here is a site that has Hungary claiming the Hussars, at ://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/thou/thou12.htm. "Hungarian light cavalry units, called Hussars (huszars)...."

We may have a negative idea of mercenaries, but in those times, they were the professionals. There was no issue of cheap opportunism, out for hire. The site says that many units deserted the Austrians, once they were far away from Hungary; and fought for the Prussians. But they wore a costume of red and gold trim, not the leopard skin and winged back apparatus of the Polish Hussars? See the Polish Hussars at Poland Road Ways, Hussar.

Who rightfully claims the Hussars? Poland, with that "winged cavalry" that saved Vienna from the Ottomans, or Hungary? History is complex. See fine images at //www.germaniainternational.com/hungary.html - but still no wings as on the Poles.

The "Thousand Years" site also mentions Hussar service in the French. There were even Hussars in America at the time of the American Revolution. And the Civil War!

And with Garibaldi in Italy.

Poland, make your case. Promote a military genius. See Poland Road Ways, Hussars.