Polish Feudal Levy

Timeline

1. 1000–1100Gniezno · Greater PolandPiast dukes maintained a standing retinue, drużyna, whose core shock force consisted of vassal knights and attendants; rural freemen bore garrison and expedition duties by opole (village community), forming the basis of the early feudal levy.
2. 1107–1138Frontiers of the Polish principalities · PolandDuring Bolesław III's reign he launched repeated expeditions against Pomerania, Prussia, and Kievan Rus'; the feudal levy, built on vassal cavalry with infantry conscripts in support, took part in major actions such as the Battle of Głomnica (1109).
3. 1138–1320The partitioned Polish principalities · PolandAfter the 1138 testament divided Poland into principalities, feudal levy rights followed the partitioned lands, each duke independently calling up vassals and village levies; the feudal system sustained princely civil wars and external defense through the age of division until the kingdom reunified in the early 14th century.