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Wojsko kwarciane (Polish pronunciation:[ˈvɔjskɔkfarˈt͡ɕanɛ],quarter army, Latin:quartanus orquartianus miles) was the term used for regular army units ofPoland (Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth).[1][2] The term was used since 1562.
Wojsko kwarciane was formed from earlierobrona potoczna units.
The term "quarter" in the name of the army (Polish:kwarta) comes from the type of the tax paid for their upkeep (kwarta tax): a quarter of income from the crown lands (królewszczyzny) was supposed to be used for that purpose. As monarchs usuallyleased their land toszlachta (or merchants, or Jews) for short-term benefits, they didn't have direct control over cash flow and this often resulted in corruption and delayed payment of military wages. Military commanders (hetmans) often had to pay the wages ofwojsko kwarciane and hired mercenaries from their own purse. Sometimes disgruntled unpaid units formed confederations (seekonfederacja) in order to lawfully collect their wages by force.
The standing numbers ofwojsko kwarciane varied by peacetime and wartime. On average during peacetime the army totalled about 2500cavalry.
It was a relatively small standing army when compared with other contemporary countries, especially considering the Commonwealth's huge area. Commonwealth armies would almost always be stretched thin to defend its territory from its aggressive neighbours of (Sweden, Russia, theOttoman Empire and its vassals).
In 1632 new quarter or royal taxes (dupla) was created to pay forartillery units.
In 1652wojsko kwarciane was replaced withwojsko komputowe.