Banderium of Turopolje Noble municipality
Due to the need of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje to preserve the freedom and integrity of its territory, especially with the beginning of the Turkish raids in the 15th century, as well as the obligation to fight as free people – nobles in the king’s armies, the Turopolje Banderij gathers. It fights as an independent unit under its own flag and under the command of the Croatian duke.
The banderium ranged in size from 120 to 400 horsemen and infantry. The war journey of the Turopolje Banner begins long before 1526 and the battle on the Mohačko polje, but it first gives information about the suffering of 19 Turopoljes, and ends with the military war in Hungary in 1848.
The honor platoon was restored on St. George’s Day in 1993, and St. George is the patron saint of this troop. Most often, we find banderium on the border of Kupa, where they repel Turkish attacks, and they have passed through battlefields all over Europe – Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania… all the way to France. During the Thirty Years’ War, the Turopoles also came to France, where they fought with an integral part of their uniform – a “podgutnica” (undertheneck), a red scarf tied around the neck that we hold as the mother of the tie. Today’s caps, “menteno” (a coat draped over the left shoulder) decorated with embroidery and fur, trousers decorated with embroidery and an acorn embroidered on the scarves are the ceremonial uniforms of the members of the honor platoon of the Turopolje Banderij. Their sabers and swagger remind us that the military and righteous spirit of the nobles of the single peasants is not easily suppressed. Today, the Turopolje Banderij is an honorary unit of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje. The Supreme Commander of the Turopolje Banderij is the Prefect of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje, who presides over the Banderial Council, which manages the work of the Banderij. The army is commanded by the captain, who is chosen by the Prefect of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje at the suggestion of the County.
