And now something different.

Look of Polish nobleman from XVII century:

[link to www.pancerni.com]


When Poland was largest European state (still larger than European territories of Russia), strongest in military terms and with most educated nobility class [citation from one British gentleman relations after his visit in Poland in XVII century (source: Norman Davies "Poland- God`s playground"):
"Apart of tolerance, one thing is also different and wonderfull in this country contrary to England: every Polish nobleman, even poorest, knows Latin." ]


When Polish magnates had in their castles, among of:

- musicians,
- acrobates,
- dancig bears,
- flame eaters etc.

also

- German counts

Explanation: in these times, there was no united Germany but loose group of many weak and small German stateletess. Germans were considered as "peasant" nation with minimal noblemen class and German noblemen titles as "count" was ridiculous for Polish and was object of jokes and good laugh. Something like "German count" was as exotic and funny in Poland as dancing bears or flame eaters...