Independant Slydavian military units

Prior to the 1700’s, there was effectively no standing army in Syldavia, the King maintained a personal Bodyguard, the Royal Guard and the Honourable Company of Gentlemen, as well as a few locally raised companies to garrison important places. As we know from earlier discussions, troops required for foreign expeditions were raised upon an ad-hoc basis when required. This was a development of the feudal concept of fief (in which a lord was obliged to raise a certain quota of knights, men-at-arms and foot soldiers).

In practice, noblemen and professional soldiers were then commissioned by the King to supply troops. They would then raise their units, filling their quotas by indenture from a variety of sources. A Commission of War could be issued to raise even more troops for a foreign expeditions, drawing on a range of earlier laws that directed that, at least in theory, the entire male population who owned property over a certain amount in value, were required to keep arms at home and periodically train or report to musters.

The military reforms of the 1720’s created the first professional standing army in Syldavian history. The King Boris III issued the Royal Warrant that created the first units of what would become the Syldavian Army in May of that year. One of the first new units was the Royal Guards, which was recruited from soldiers formerly in service in the King’s personal guard and the Honourable Company of Gentlemen. This is the oldest infantry regiment in the Syldavian army (known simply as the "Royal Guard"). Infantry and cavalry units had originally been known by the names of their officers, such as "Sir Kazimir's Regiment of Foot", obviously this system could be confusing if officers succeeded each other rapidly or more than one officer of the same name commanded separate companies. In 1781 a numeral system was adopted, with each regiment gaining a number according to their rank in the order of precedence.

The continued existence of independent companies within the Syldavian military is something of an anomaly.  The reason for this lies with Boris III’s decision to allow some lords to continue to raise independent companies in their duchies.  Although they were encouraged to adhere to the new regulations, they were independently funded and for many years, these regiments were to be the most colourful and distinctive units in the Army, retaining much of Syldavia’s traditional dress.  The tradition continued down the years with the more recent raising of 6 motorcycle and bicycle companies in the mid 1930’s.

3rd Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Travunia's

4th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Moltuja's Rifles

5th Infantry Regiment, The Duke of Hum's Fusilers

5th Zeta Lancers

3rd Polishov Hussars

13^th bicycle company

14^th bicycle company

15^th bicycle company

16^th frontier motorcycle company

17^th frontier motorcycle company