Arlington resident Orli founded the Sienkiewicz Society, a group of about 20 re-enactors who bring to life 17th century Eastern European militaries. They’ve been soldiers from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Muscovite Russians, Ukrainian Cossacks and Turkish Ottomans. Why the 17th century?
I was interested in rapiers and daggers, and they’re the weapons of the Three Musketeers, and they are 1630 — so 17th century. The 17th century is a fascinating period. And for many years I was doing English and Swede and so on. But I’m Polish in origin and nobody knew anything about Eastern European history in America — especially in the 17th century — so I thought it would be a fun project. That was 10 years ago.
How do you find costumes?
Back then there was no information in the English language. I speak Polish because my parents did, but I actually had to learn to read and write Polish so I could learn about 17th century Eastern European dress. Now there’s more available because the Web’s been great at getting that information out. A lot of our costumes and gear we ordered from Eastern Europe. Or we would learn to make it, or have friends make it.
Do you have a favorite costume?
My personal character that I prefer is Polish pancerni, a chain mail-dressed horse archer of the 17th century. And yes, I have tried horse archery. I wish I knew how to ride a horse better, because it’s really hard.
And I hear you have a cannon?
We do. It’s in my garage. It’s a bronze 3-pounder. I used it last weekend. We did a 17th century event near Philadelphia, set during the 30 Years’ War period. We were the Polish artillery.
Does it actually shoot?
Yes. We normally shoot blanks, but every once in a while there are places we can take it and target practice.
– Liz Essley
