"Croat Cavalry in the Low Countries? " Topic

Is anyone aware of any accounts or documentation of the Habsburg Spanish Army of Flanders using Croat light cavalry in the Low Countries in the late sixteenth century?

I'd like to include them in my Spanish vs. Dutch armies, but am having a difficult time finding evidence to justify their inclusion.

Given that no such evidence exists it is no surprise that you have a hard time findinf it. The Spanish had neither the need for nor access to Croat cavalry at the time and instead used burgundians, walloons, italians and some Albanians for the light cavalry role.

Apologies for being loosey-goosey with my terminology.

Happy to find accounts of Albanian or other Balkan light cavalry, too.

I've found a reference to the Albanian cavalry in a book, but some additional points of reference would be welcome, too.

Oh I'm surprised by this as there was a unit of Croat cavalry showed up at Rocroi 1643 on the Spanish side: Neygb Ystuan (Croats) large enough to break down into two escuadrones. Allegedly there were two units of Croats on the French side as well but some say they were Germans, yet actual French accounts mention Croats…..

Look for mention of Stradiots in the Netherlands. I have a vague memory that English demilancers may have encountered them once.

Haven't found croatians in the spanish army but the Imperial army under Picolomini in the eastern part of the Low Countries had them